Understanding Virginia’s SEC530 Cybersecurity Standard for Public Sector Compliance

Virginia’s SEC530 is the Commonwealth’s Information Security Standard that defines minimum baseline requirements for information security and risk management across state agencies. The standard mandates security controls, governance structures, and procedures that agencies must implement to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Commonwealth data and systems.

Additionally, SEC530 is built upon the NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 5 framework, aligning Virginia’s cybersecurity efforts with federal standards while incorporating Commonwealth-specific controls. The standard integrates technical and administrative controls, including access management, incident response, personnel security, and supply chain risk management, using a risk-based approach.

Virginia’s SEC530 standard provides a unified, risk-based cybersecurity framework aligned with NIST 800‑53 Revision 5. It sets mandatory security controls, governance, and enforcement for Commonwealth agencies to protect data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

What Is the History and Development of Virginia’s SEC530?

In 2023, Virginia faced a staggering cybersecurity challenge, with over 106 million attempted cyberattacks detected, averaging 3.36 attacks per second. This sharp rise in threat activity, nearly double the previous year’s volume, underscores the critical need for a robust and standardized cybersecurity framework across the Commonwealth.

That’s where SEC530 steps in. Virginia’s Information Technology Resource Management (ITRM) Standard SEC530 represents one of the most comprehensive state-level cybersecurity frameworks in the United States.

SEC530 establishes baseline security requirements that span across all branches of state government and higher education institutions, creating a unified approach to information security across the Commonwealth. The standard addresses critical gaps in cybersecurity governance by providing specific, actionable requirements rather than general guidance.

Virginia’s SEC530 standard was created by consolidating the Commonwealth’s previous cybersecurity standards, SEC501 and SEC525, into a single, unified framework. This change reflects Virginia’s move to modernize its cybersecurity governance and apply consistent requirements across all IT environments, including Commonwealth-owned, leased, and cloud-hosted systems.

The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) and the Commonwealth Security and Risk Management (CSRM) division led the development. The standard went through stakeholder review and public comment as part of Virginia’s regulatory process.

Key Milestones

• July 1, 2023: Draft published
• September 28, 2023: Standard went into effect
• March 31, 2024: Initial compliance deadline
• September 30, 2024: First administrative update scheduled

Who Regulates and Audits SEC530?

Virginia’s SEC530 standard is enforced by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) under statutory authority defined in Virginia Code §2.2-2009. Oversight is managed by the Commonwealth Security and Risk Management (CSRM) division and the Commonwealth Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). These entities are responsible for ensuring that agencies comply with SEC530 through regular audits, enforcement actions, and ongoing monitoring.

Compliance Measurement and Grading

CSRM evaluates each agency’s cybersecurity program using a letter grading system from A to F. This structured grading helps identify strengths and weaknesses across agencies and drives measurable improvement through continuous assessment and reporting.

Findings Management and Resolution

Agencies are required to track both audit and risk findings using centralized databases. They must submit quarterly progress reports detailing remediation efforts. Unresolved findings are monitored until agencies complete all required corrective actions.

Technology-Enabled Enforcement

VITA leverages centralized governance tools to maintain real-time visibility into compliance status, audit outcomes, and remediation tracking. GRC platforms support documentation, reporting, and enforcement consistency across agencies. Vulnerability scanning tools are also used to identify and address security weaknesses on a recurring basis.

Enforcement Actions and Consequences

VITA has the authority to restrict IT investments for agencies that fail to meet SEC530 requirements. Additional enforcement mechanisms include mandatory incident reporting, centralized security services for support, and public reporting that identifies non-compliant agencies. This framework ensures that agencies are held accountable for maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture.

Who Must Comply with SEC530?

All Commonwealth entities, including executive, legislative, judicial, independent agencies, and public higher ed, must comply with SEC530. Third‑party vendors handling Commonwealth data must follow SEC530 via COV Ramp vendor oversight. Local governments may adopt it voluntarily. This ensures consistent cybersecurity practices across all branches and key public institutions.

In Scope

SEC530 is mandatory for:

• Executive Branch Agencies: Departments, boards, and commissions under the Governor’s authority
• Legislative Branch Entities: The General Assembly and related offices
• Judicial Branch Entities: Courts and supporting judicial systems
• Independent Agencies: State entities not under executive control
• Public Institutions of Higher Education: All public colleges and universities in Virginia

Limited Scope Provisions

Some SEC530 requirements apply only to specific agency types:

• Security Audit Requirements: Apply to executive branch agencies, independent agencies, and public institutions of higher education, as defined in Code of Virginia §2.2-2009
• Incident Reporting Requirements: Apply only to executive branch departments, per Code of Virginia §2.2-603

Voluntary Guidance for Local Governments

Local government entities are not required to follow SEC530, but the standard is available as voluntary guidance. Adopting it can help localities align with statewide best practices for information security.

Third-Party Service Providers

Any third-party vendor or contractor handling Commonwealth data must comply with SEC530 requirements. This ensures that security controls extend beyond agency systems to include all external providers.

Vendor oversight is managed through Virginia’s COV Ramp program, which validates that cloud and hosted service providers meet Commonwealth security requirements before they are approved for use.

Virginia’s SEC530 Checklist

Let’s look closely at SEC530’s major requirements, organized by section and subsection for easy reference:

1. Establish a Strong Information Security Program

Each Virginia agency must build, document, implement, and maintain a security program tailored to the agency’s unique business and technology environment. This program must fully comply with the SEC530 standard, setting the foundation for protecting agency systems and data. Agencies can create additional, more stringent standards if needed, but they cannot go below SEC530’s baseline.

2. Security Roles and Responsibilities

Agencies must formally assign key cybersecurity roles and document each person’s responsibilities. These roles include:

• Chief Information Officer (CIO): Oversees IT security strategy.
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Leads the statewide information security program and approves exceptions.
• Agency Head: Holds ultimate accountability for the agency’s cybersecurity and appoints the Information Security Officer (ISO).
• Information Security Officer (ISO): Develops, implements, and manages the agency’s security program.
• Privacy Officer: Advises on privacy and data protection (required in certain regulatory contexts).
• System Owner: Manages the security and day-to-day operations of specific IT systems.
• Data Owner: Classifies data sensitivity, defines protection requirements, and controls data access.
• System Administrator: Configures and secures systems under the direction of the System and Data Owners.
• Data Custodian: Ensures that data in their possession is protected against unauthorized access or misuse.
• IT System Users: Must comply with security policies and report security incidents.

3. Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

Each agency must conduct a BIA to identify essential business functions, mission-critical processes, and the IT resources that support them.

• The BIA must include recovery objectives (Recovery Time Objective and Recovery Point Objective) for each critical IT system.
• The BIA must be reviewed annually and fully updated at least every three years.
• System Owners and Data Owners must actively participate in the BIA process.

4. IT System and Data Sensitivity Classification

Every IT system and dataset must be classified according to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

• Systems must be marked as “sensitive” if they contain data with moderate or high sensitivity in any of these categories.
• Classification must be approved by the Agency Head or their designee.
• Agencies must track classifications using the Commonwealth’s risk management system (CSRM eGRC) and keep them current.

5. Sensitive System Inventory

Agencies must keep sensitive IT system inventories current, documenting ownership, boundaries, and system components.

• Network diagrams must be current and accurately reflect sensitive systems.
• Systems with similar controls and management processes can be grouped for inventory purposes.

6. Risk Assessments

For each sensitive system and covered business unit:

• Agencies must perform a formal risk assessment at least every three years.
• Annual self-assessments are required to confirm that the original risk assessment remains valid.
• Risk assessments must document threats, vulnerabilities, the likelihood of exploitation, and potential impacts.
• Results must be reported to the agency’s ISO and reviewed for approval.

7. IT Security Audits

Sensitive IT systems must be audited according to the Commonwealth’s IT Security Audit Standard (SEC502).

• Audits must be managed by assigned personnel and conducted by independent auditors, meaning auditors cannot have operational responsibilities over the systems they’re auditing.

8. Control Families Overview

Virginia SEC530 organizes cybersecurity requirements into 20 control families. Each family addresses a specific area of risk and mandates minimum requirements for compliance.

NIST 800-53 Framework Alignment

SEC530 is explicitly built upon the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 Revision 5 framework, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to aligning with federal cybersecurity standards. This alignment ensures that Commonwealth agencies follow proven, internationally recognized security practices while maintaining compatibility with federal systems and requirements.

Commonwealth-Specific Enhancements

While following the NIST framework, SEC530 includes Commonwealth-specific control enhancements marked with “COV” designations. These enhancements address unique Virginia requirements and provide additional security measures beyond the baseline NIST controls. Examples include AC-2-COV for enhanced account management requirements and CP-9-COV for specific backup and restoration requirements.

What Systems Are Classified as “Sensitive” Under SEC530?

A key requirement of SEC530 is identifying which IT systems must be protected under the standard. Agencies must classify each system based on the sensitivity of the data it processes, stores, or transmits, and the impact of potential compromise.

Sensitivity Criteria

Under SEC530, a system is classified as “sensitive” if any of the following apply:

• The system handles data rated moderate or high sensitivity for confidentiality, integrity, or availability
• The business processes supported by the system are critical to agency operations or Commonwealth interests
• The system supports regulated or protected data types

Examples of sensitive data include:

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Protected Health Information (PHI)
• Payment Card Industry (PCI) data
• Federal Tax Information (FTI)
• Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice data
• FERPA-regulated student records
• Critical Infrastructure or SCADA systems

Documentation Requirements

Agencies must maintain a complete inventory of all sensitive systems, including system ownership, boundaries, and data types. Classification is based on the most sensitive data or function the system supports. If any part of the system meets the sensitivity threshold, the entire system must be treated as sensitive.

Exemptions

The following systems are generally exempt from SEC530 sensitivity classification:

• Development or experimental systems that do not interact with production data
• Retired or surplus systems no longer in use

Risk Assessment Requirements

Risk assessments are central to SEC530’s risk-based cybersecurity approach. Agencies must use formal assessments to identify threats, evaluate vulnerabilities, and prioritize mitigation efforts for all systems classified as sensitive.

What is the purpose and scope of a risk assessment?

As defined in Section 6.1 of SEC530, the purpose of risk assessment is to help agencies:

• Identify potential threats to IT systems and their environments
• Evaluate vulnerabilities within those systems
• Determine the likelihood and potential impact of exploitation
• Analyze the effectiveness of existing security controls
• Document residual risk and inform mitigation priorities

Frequency Requirements

Per Section 6.2, agencies that own or manage sensitive data must meet the following assessment timelines:

• Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Conduct and document a full risk assessment of each sensitive IT system at least once every three years.
• Annual Self-Assessment: Conduct and document a yearly self-assessment to determine the continued validity of the risk assessment.
• Environmental Changes: Update risk assessments when significant changes occur to systems or operating environments.

Documentation and Reporting Requirements

Each risk assessment must result in a formal report that includes:

• Executive Summary: High-level findings and risk mitigation recommendations.
• Vulnerability Identification: All vulnerabilities discovered during the assessment.
• Risk Analysis: Detailed analysis of identified risks, including likelihood and impact.
• Control Effectiveness: Assessment of existing security controls.
• Mitigation Recommendations: Specific actions to address identified risks.

Risk Treatment and Remediation

After completing the assessment, agencies must:

• Risk Treatment Plans: Develop plans for risks with residual ratings greater than “low.”
• Quarterly Reporting: Submit quarterly updates on risk treatment progress to the CISO.
• Verification: Document implementation of controls required to mitigate risk findings.
• Agency Head Approval: Obtain agency head approval for all risk assessments and treatment plans.

Why use IT Risk Management Software for Virginia’s SEC530?

Virginia’s SEC530 standard sets clear expectations for how agencies must manage cybersecurity risk, conduct formal assessments, and document compliance. Relying on spreadsheets, emails, or disconnected systems makes it difficult to maintain consistency, meet deadlines, and respond effectively to audits.

IT risk management software provides a centralized, structured approach to meeting SEC530 requirements. It helps agencies standardize assessment workflows, track risks and findings in real time, and generate the documentation needed for oversight and reporting.

With the right platform, teams can shift from reactive compliance work to proactive risk operations that improve visibility, accountability, and readiness across all SEC530 control areas.

Isora GRC for Virginia’s SEC530

Virginia’s SEC530 standard requires agencies to maintain rigorous cybersecurity programs, conduct frequent risk assessments, and manage complex asset, vendor, and risk inventories with detailed reporting.

Isora GRC helps security teams at Virginia agencies operationalize SEC530 with structured workflows that improve visibility, accountability, and collaboration. The platform replaces manual coordination with a centralized system that allows teams to engage business units, IT staff, and vendors in risk assessments, remediation, and compliance tracking. This creates a repeatable, scalable approach to managing SEC530 requirements across the entire organization.

Simplify information security risk assessments

Organize and manage security assessments from a single, unified dashboard

Consolidate assessment data across your infosec ecosystem, track risks in real time, and help teams stay aligned.

IT Risk Management Solutions

Run Structured Risk Assessments That Meet SEC530 Standards

Isora GRC enables agencies to conduct formal risk assessments and annual self-assessments with intuitive, repeatable workflows. Agencies can align assessments to NIST 800-53 and SEC530 risk assessment requirements, document vulnerabilities, analyze control effectiveness, and generate clear, actionable risk treatment plans. Built-in reminders and real-time dashboards help agencies meet the three-year and annual assessment cycles without falling behind.

Maintain a Complete Inventory of Sensitive Systems and Vendors

SEC530 mandates a detailed, up-to-date inventory of sensitive systems, assets, and third-party vendors. Isora GRC provides a centralized inventory that consolidates assets, vendor products, system classifications, and associated security documentation in one platform. Agencies can easily search, filter, and export inventory data to streamline reporting and compliance audits.

Track Risks and Remediation in a Collaborative Risk Register

Long remediation timelines are a persistent challenge across Virginia agencies. Isora GRC’s collaborative risk register helps teams track risks from identification through mitigation. Agencies can assign risk owners, set remediation deadlines, and monitor progress in real time. This system provides the structure needed to improve risk closure rates and reduce the average time to resolve audit and risk findings.

Automate Reporting and Findings Management for SEC530 Compliance

Agencies are required to submit quarterly risk progress reports and track findings using centralized tools. Isora GRC simplifies this with automated reporting, built-in dashboards, and one-click export capabilities that support the Commonwealth’s grading and oversight process. Agencies can quickly produce audit-ready documentation, demonstrate SEC530 alignment, and maintain clear visibility across cybersecurity activities.

Check out the interactive demo of assessment management in Isora GRC below — or request a personalized demo.

Virginia SEC530 FAQs

What is Virginia’s SEC530 cybersecurity standard?

SEC530 is Virginia’s mandatory cybersecurity framework that defines baseline controls and governance for state agencies, higher education, and vendors. Built on NIST 800-53 Rev 5, it establishes a unified, risk-based approach to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Commonwealth data and systems.

How does SEC530 align with NIST 800‑53?

SEC530 is Virginia’s state-level implementation of NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5. It adopts all 20 federal control families and adds Commonwealth-specific “COV” enhancements. These tailor the framework for state governance, enforcement, and agency-specific needs—ensuring both federal alignment and localized security rigor.

How does SEC530 support a risk-based approach to cybersecurity?

SEC530 requires agencies to perform formal risk assessments on sensitive systems. These assessments document threats, vulnerabilities, and control effectiveness, helping agencies prioritize risk treatment based on potential impact. Residual risks must be tracked and reported quarterly, creating a dynamic, data-driven cybersecurity posture.

What are common challenges agencies face when implementing SEC530?

Agencies often face fragmented documentation, inconsistent assessment methods, and difficulty coordinating across departments. Manual tracking of inventories and audit findings adds complexity. Without centralized tools or structured workflows, it’s tough to maintain compliance and respond to oversight.

How are third-party vendors assessed for SEC530 compliance?

Third-party vendors handling Commonwealth data must meet SEC530 requirements. Virginia’s COV Ramp program manages vendor risk through formal security assessments, especially for cloud providers. Agencies must ensure vendors match internal security standards before they’re authorized for use.

What tools are used to enforce and monitor SEC530 compliance?

VITA and CSRM rely on GRC platforms for documentation, audits, and remediation tracking. Vulnerability scanning tools, such as Acunetix 360, assess agency web applications regularly. These tools provide centralized visibility into compliance and risk across agencies.

How does SEC530 apply to hybrid or cloud-hosted systems?

SEC530 applies to all environments (on-prem, cloud, leased, or hybrid) that store, process, or transmit Commonwealth data. Agencies must enforce the same controls across platforms. Cloud service providers must pass vendor risk assessments and meet contractual security requirements.

What happens if an agency fails to meet SEC530 requirements?

Non-compliant agencies can receive low grades, face oversight actions, and have IT investments restricted. VITA may also require additional reporting or centralized services. Public reports identify non-compliant agencies until all remediation efforts are verified as complete.

How should agencies approach annual self-assessments under SEC530?

Agencies must complete annual self-assessments for each sensitive system to confirm prior risk assessments remain valid. These reviews should analyze threats, vulnerabilities, and control effectiveness. Documentation must be submitted for ISO review and integrated into quarterly compliance tracking.

What role do executive leaders play in SEC530 compliance?

Agency heads, CIOs, and CISOs are accountable for SEC530 compliance. They must appoint qualified cybersecurity personnel, approve risk assessments, allocate resources for remediation, and drive participation across departments to ensure program success.

What’s the process for updating risk assessments after environmental changes?

When systems or environments change significantly—such as deployments or major updates—agencies must reassess associated risks. This includes identifying new threats, updating mitigation plans, and revising documentation for reporting. These updates ensure ongoing alignment with SEC530 requirements.

How does SEC530 address supply chain and vendor risk management?

SEC530 includes a control family focused on Supply Chain Risk Management (SR). Agencies must evaluate and monitor vendors for compliance, build security into procurement, and track third-party risks over time. This helps ensure vendors don’t introduce unmanaged threats.

What’s the relationship between SEC530 audits and SEC502 requirements?

SEC530 mandates regular audits of sensitive systems, conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth’s SEC502 standard. SEC502 defines audit scope, independence, and frequency to ensure consistent, credible evaluations across Virginia agencies.

How does SEC530 improve agency collaboration on cybersecurity?

SEC530 defines clear roles across IT, business, and security teams. Agencies must document accountability and collaborate on assessments, remediation, and reporting. This cross-functional structure supports unified, sustainable cybersecurity programs.

What are best practices for maintaining system inventories under SEC530?

Agencies should maintain centralized, real-time inventories of sensitive systems. Each inventory should track ownership, data classification, and network diagrams, and be linked to risk assessments. Grouping similar systems can simplify updates and support efficient audit prep.