The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of standards, guidelines, and voluntary best practices for managing cybersecurity risks developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the United States.

What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a voluntary framework based on existing standards, guidelines, and best practices for organizations to manage and reduce cybersecurity risks in a cost-effective manner without regulatory restrictions.

Framework Structure

Core

The Core is organized into five simultaneous and continuous functions:

1. IDENTIFY

Function: Develop organizational understanding to manage cybersecurity risks

Categories:

  • ID.AM: Asset Management
  • ID.BE: Business Environment
  • ID.GV: Governance
  • ID.RA: Risk Assessment
  • ID.RM: Risk Management
  • ID.SC: Supply Chain

2. PROTECT

Function: Develop and implement appropriate safeguards

Categories:

  • PR.AC: Access Control
  • PR.AT: Awareness and Training
  • PR.DS: Data Security
  • PR.IP: Information and Process Protection
  • PR.MA: Maintenance
  • PR.PT: Protection Technologies

3. DETECT

Function: Develop and implement activities to identify cybersecurity events

Categories:

  • DE.AE: Anomaly and Event Analysis
  • DE.CM: Continuous Monitoring
  • DE.DP: Detection Processes

4. RESPOND

Function: Develop and implement activities to take action

Categories:

  • RS.RP: Response Planning
  • RS.CO: Communications
  • RS.AN: Analysis
  • RS.MI: Mitigation
  • RS.IM: Improvements

5. RECOVER

Function: Develop and implement activities to maintain resilience

Categories:

  • RC.RP: Recovery Planning
  • RC.IM: Improvements
  • RC.CO: Communications

Implementation Tiers

Tier 1: Partial

  • Characteristics: Ad-hoc and reactive processes
  • Risk management: Limited
  • Communication: Internal, not formalized

Tier 2: Risk Informed

  • Characteristics: Management-approved processes
  • Risk management: Approved risk management processes
  • Communication: Informal communication between functions

Tier 3: Repeatable

  • Characteristics: Formally approved processes
  • Risk management: Formalized risk management policies
  • Communication: Coordinated communication between functions

Tier 4: Adaptive

  • Characteristics: Adaptive processes based on lessons learned
  • Risk management: Risk management integrated into organizational culture
  • Communication: Formal and informal communication between functions

Profiles

Current Profile

  • Definition: Result of evaluation of current cybersecurity activities
  • Purpose: Identify gaps in cybersecurity capabilities
  • Use: Basis for improvement planning

Target Profile

  • Definition: Desired result of cybersecurity activities
  • Purpose: Establish cybersecurity objectives
  • Use: Guide for improvement implementation

NIST SP 800-53

Security Controls

  • AC: Access Control
  • AT: Awareness and Training
  • AU: Audit and Accountability
  • CA: Assessment and Authorization
  • CM: Configuration Management
  • CP: Continuity Planning
  • IA: Identification and Authentication
  • IR: Incident Response
  • MA: Maintenance
  • MP: Media Protection
  • PE: Physical and Environmental Protection
  • PL: Planning
  • PS: Personnel Security
  • RA: Risk Assessment
  • SA: System Acquisition
  • SC: System and Communications Protection
  • SI: System Integrity
  • SR: Supply Chain Management

Control Families

  • Control Baselines: Control sets for different impact levels
  • Low Impact: Low impact
  • Moderate Impact: Moderate impact
  • High Impact: High impact

NIST SP 800-171

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

  • Definition: Information requiring protection but not classified
  • Application: Federal government contractors
  • Requirements: 14 control families

CUI Controls

  1. Access Control
  2. Awareness and Training
  3. Audit and Accountability
  4. Configuration Management
  5. Identification and Authentication
  6. Incident Response
  7. Maintenance
  8. Media Protection
  9. Personnel Security
  10. Physical Protection
  11. Risk Assessment
  12. System Security
  13. System Integrity
  14. Supply Chain Management

Framework Benefits

Organizational

  • Risk management: Structured approach to managing risks
  • Communication: Common language for discussing cybersecurity
  • Prioritization: Helps prioritize cybersecurity investments
  • Continuous improvement: Iterative improvement process

Technical

  • Standards: Based on recognized standards
  • Flexibility: Adaptable to different organizations
  • Scalability: Applicable to organizations of any size
  • Integration: Compatible with other frameworks

Commercial

  • Trust: Demonstrates commitment to cybersecurity
  • Competitiveness: Competitive advantage in the market
  • Compliance: Helps with regulatory requirements
  • Investment: Facilitates investment justification

Framework Implementation

Phase 1: Preparation

  • Commitment: Management commitment
  • Resources: Resource allocation
  • Team: Implementation team formation
  • Communication: Communication plan

Phase 2: Assessment

  • Current profile: Current state assessment
  • Gaps: Gap identification
  • Risks: Risk assessment
  • Resources: Available resource assessment

Phase 3: Planning

  • Target profile: Target state definition
  • Roadmap: Implementation plan
  • Priorities: Activity prioritization
  • Budget: Budget planning

Phase 4: Implementation

  • Controls: Control implementation
  • Processes: Process establishment
  • Training: Staff training
  • Monitoring: Progress monitoring

Phase 5: Operation

  • Monitoring: Continuous monitoring
  • Assessment: Periodic assessment
  • Improvement: Continuous improvement
  • Update: Framework update

Tools and Resources

NIST Tools

  • CSF 2.0: Updated framework version
  • Cybersecurity Framework Tool: Assessment tool
  • Cybersecurity Framework Profile Tool: Profile tool
  • Cybersecurity Framework Reference Tool: Reference tool

Additional Resources

  • NIST Special Publications: Special publications
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework Quick Start Guide: Quick start guide
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guide: Implementation guide
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework Reference Architecture: Reference architecture

Use Cases

Private Sector

  • Companies: Implementation in private companies
  • Critical sectors: Critical infrastructure
  • SMEs: Small and medium enterprises
  • Startups: Emerging companies

Public Sector

  • Federal agencies: Implementation in government agencies
  • State governments: State and local governments
  • Defense: Defense sector
  • Health: Public health sector

Academic Sector

  • Universities: Higher education institutions
  • Research: Research institutions
  • K-12: Primary and secondary schools
  • Libraries: Public libraries

Best Practices

Implementation

  1. Executive commitment: Obtain management commitment
  2. Comprehensive assessment: Conduct thorough assessment
  3. Detailed planning: Develop detailed plan
  4. Gradual implementation: Implement gradually
  5. Continuous monitoring: Monitor continuously

Management

  1. Regular communication: Regular communication with stakeholders
  2. Continuous training: Continuous staff training
  3. Periodic assessment: Periodic progress assessment
  4. Continuous improvement: Continuous framework improvement
  5. Update: Regular framework update

References

Glossary

  • CUI: Controlled Unclassified Information
  • CSF: Cybersecurity Framework
  • Tier: Framework implementation level
  • Profile: Cybersecurity profile
  • Core: Framework core
  • Function: Framework function
  • Category: Control category
  • Subcategory: Control subcategory