When attempting to categorize a system, which two RMF starting point inputs should be accounted for? Response:

While federal laws and organizational policies are important throughout the RMF, 'architecture descriptions' and broader 'organizational inputs' are more direct starting point inputs for the categorization process itself.

Federal laws and OMB policies are high-level drivers but not the granular, direct inputs for categorizing a specific system in the same way as architectural details and specific organizational mission needs.

When initiating the categorization of an information system within the RMF, it is crucial to account for the system's architecture descriptions to understand its components, interconnections, and boundaries. Additionally, organizational inputs, such as mission requirements, policies, and risk tolerance, are essential to properly define the impact levels for confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

FISMA and the Privacy Act are foundational federal laws that drive the RMF but are not the specific inputs used to categorize a system; rather, they establish the requirement for categorization.