The NIST cybersecurity framework is developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It helps businesses organize and improve their cybersecurity posture.

Although not a regulatory requirement, many experts consider the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) to be the leading approach for developing an effective cybersecurity program. According to this survey on senior level IT professionals in enterprises, about 48% of respondents indicated that they used the NIST CSF standard to map their control systems. 

In this article, learn more about the NIST cybersecurity framework and how to implement it in your organization.

What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of guidelines that organizations can adopt to manage and lower their IT infrastructure's security risk. 

Due to the success of the previous version of the NIST CSF, a new version was released this February. The NIST CSF 2.0 offers an expanded level of resources and guidance to cater to all audiences, sectors and levels of cybersecurity complexities.

The released CSF 2.0 simplifies CSF implementation with a new reference tool and a searchable catalog of informative references.

In addition to the original five core functions – Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover – the 2.0 version introduces a newly added function, “Govern”. This new function enhances cybersecurity results associated with policies, protocols, and responsibilities, highlighting the importance of risk management within your organization's framework.

Components of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

In the CSF 2.0, the ‘Tier Attributes’ feature allows organizations to determine their current (and desired) NIST implementation level.

There are four implementation tiers that help private sector organizations measure their progress toward implementing the NIST CSF. These tiers provide context around an organization's cybersecurity risks and processes to put in place to manage risks.

Tier 1 - Partial: At this level, the organization in question is accustomed to the NIST CSF and has implemented some control aspects in certain areas of the infrastructure. However, the organization has limited awareness of cybersecurity risks and lacks the resources to enable information security.

Tier 2 - Risk informed: At this stage, the organization is more aware of cybersecurity risks and shares information on an informal basis. However, it lacks a planned, repeatable and proactive organization-wide cybersecurity risk management process.

Tier 3 - Repeatable: At this level, the organization and its senior executives have implemented a repeatable, organization-wide cybersecurity risk management plan. The cybersecurity team has created an action plan to monitor and respond effectively to cyberattacks.

Tier 4 - Adaptive: At this level, the organization is now cyber resilient and uses lessons learned and predictive indicators to prevent cyberattacks. There is an organization-wide approach to information security risk management with risk-informed decision-making, policies, and processes. 

How to Implement the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

To successfully implement the NIST cybersecurity framework in your organization, here are crucial steps to take:

1. Establish your organization's goals: To implement the NIST Framework in your organization, you need to establish a set of goals related to data security. This will help you measure success and create an action plan. You can set goals by answering questions like "What is our organization's tolerance to risk?","How much can we spend on cybersecurity?". These goals will help establish the scope for your security protocols.

1. Set up a profile: Setting up a profile detailing the needs of your organization is necessary to be able to adapt the framework to your organization's needs. Through these tiers, your organization's cybersecurity level can improve from Tier 1 to 4.

1. Assess your current position: Carry out a risk assessment and gap analysis to detect which of your current cybersecurity practices are up to NIST standards and what needs to be improved. Following a gap assessment, you can determine the amount of effort required to reach you target NIST CSF goal. Tools like the Capability Maturity Model (and even NIST CSF Tiers) can be used for reporting this gap assessment.

1. Create a plan of action: Once you have identified the gaps in your cybersecurity structure, you need to communicate your findings with stakeholders. This includes vulnerabilities to your organization's operations, assets, and employees. Afterward, you can come up with an action plan on how best to address them using the results from the risk assessment, and prioritize what needs to be addressed first.

1. Implementation: With an understanding of your organization's current cybersecurity efforts, you can go ahead to implement the NIST CSF. However, your cybersecurity efforts should not stop with implementation. Continuous monitoring and improvement are necessary to tailor the framework to your business's needs.

Reach out to the Cyberkach Team for guidance on Nist CSF 2.0 Compliance.