What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and how can an organization use it?
With cyber threats rapidly evolving and data volumes expanding exponentially, many organizations are struggling to ensure proper security. Implementing a solid cybersecurity framework (CSF) can help you protect your business. Show
One of the best frameworks comes from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This guide provides an overview of the NIST CSF, including its principles, benefits and key components. Handpicked related content:
NIST Cybersecurity Framework Purpose and BenefitsThe NIST Framework offers guidance for organizations looking to better manage and reduce their cybersecurity risk. It is important to understand that it is not a set of rules, controls or tools. Rather, it offers a set of processes that can help organizations measure the maturity of their current cybersecurity and risk management systems and identify steps to strengthen them. Implementing the NIST cybersecurity framework is voluntary, but it can be immensely valuable to organizations of all sizes, in both the private and public sectors, for several reasons:
Handpicked related content:
Benefits of NIST CSFUse of the NIST CSF offers multiple benefits. In particular, it can help you:
Handpicked related content:
Components of the NIST Cybersecurity FrameworkThe NIST CSF includes three components:
CoreThe core lays out high-level cybersecurity objectives in an organized way, using non-technical language to facilitate communication between different teams. At the highest level, there are five functions:
Each function is divided into categories, as shown below. There 23 NIST CSF categories in all. Each category has subcategories — outcome-driven statements for creating or improving a cybersecurity program, such as “External information systems are catalogued” or “Notifications from detection systems are investigated.” Note that the means of achieving each outcome is not specified; it’s up to your organization to identify or develop appropriate measures. NIST CSF Core Functions and Categories Implementation TiersThe NIST CSF has four implementation tiers, which describe the maturity level of an organization’s risk management practices. In other words, they help you measure your progress in reducing cybersecurity risks and assess whether your current activities are appropriate for your budget, regulatory requirements and desired risk level. The tiers are:
Remember that it’s not necessary — or even advisable — to try to bring every area to Tier 4. Instead, determine which areas are most critical for your business and work to improve those. NIST CSF suggests that you progress to a higher tier only when doing so would reduce cybersecurity risk and be cost effective. Handpicked related content:
ProfilesProfiles are essentially depictions of your organization’s cybersecurity status at a moment in time. Organizations often have multiple profiles, such as a profile of its initial state before implementing any security measures as part of its use of the NIST CSF, and a profile of its desired target state. These profiles help you build a roadmap for reducing cybersecurity risk and measure your progress. Each profile takes into account both the core elements you deem important (functions, categories and subcategories) and your organization’s business requirements, risk tolerance and resources. But profiles are not meant to be rigid; you may find that you need to add or remove categories and subcategories, or revise your risk tolerance or resources in a new version of a profile. Getting Started with NIST CSFNIST offers an Excel spreadsheet that will help you get started using the NIST CFS. The spreadsheet can seem daunting at first. One way to work through it is to add two columns: Tier and Priority. In the Tier column, assess your organization’s current maturity level for each subcategory on the 1–4 scale explained earlier. Use the Priority column to identify your most important cybersecurity goals; for instance, you might rate each subcategory as Low, Medium or High. This webinar can guide you through the process. As you move forward, resist the urge to overcomplicate things. Trying to do everything at once often leads to accomplishing very little. Remember that the framework is merely guidance to help you focus your efforts, so don’t be afraid to make the CSF your own. Also remember that cybersecurity is a journey, not a destination, so your work will be ongoing. With these lessons learned, your organization should be well equipped to move toward a more robust cybersecurity posture. FAQ
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a set of voluntary guidelines that help companies assess and improve their cybersecurity posture.
The framework helps organizations implement processes for identifying and mitigating risks, and detecting, responding to and recovering from cyberattacks.
Organizations of any industry, size and maturity can use the framework to improve their cybersecurity programs.
You should consider implementing NIST CSF if you need to strengthen your cybersecurity program and improve your risk management and compliance processes.
The NIST CSF has five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.
The NIST CSF consists of three main components: core, implementation tiers and profiles. Mike Tierney Former VP of Customer Success at Netwrix. He has a diverse background built over 20 years in the software industry, having held CEO, COO, and VP Product Management titles at multiple companies focused on security, compliance, and increasing the productivity of IT teams. How can an organization use NIST Cybersecurity Framework?The CSF takes your organization out of the 'one-off' audit compliance and risk assessment mindset, and into a more adaptive and responsive posture of managing cybersecurity risk. Continuous compliance is a much stronger strategy that supports respond and recover functions.
What is NIST Cybersecurity Framework and functions?The NIST cybersecurity framework is a powerful tool to organize and improve your cybersecurity program. It is a set of guidelines and best practices to help organizations build and improve their cybersecurity posture.
What is NIST What is the benefit of this organization?The National Institute of Standards and Technology, otherwise known as NIST, is a non-regulatory government agency that promotes the advancement of industry and innovation within the United States. They do this by regularly advancing science, standards, and technology to benefit the economy and quality of life.
How NIST Cybersecurity Framework can help in ensuring security regulations?The Framework integrates industry standards and best practices to help organizations manage their cybersecurity risks. It provides a common language that allows staff at all levels within an organization—and at all points in a supply chain—to develop a shared understanding of their cybersecurity risks.
|