Introduction to NIST CyberSecurity Framework

Introdution

• The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a guide developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a U.S. government agency.
• It provides a policy framework of computer security guidance for private sector organizations in the United States.
• The framework is designed to help organizations manage and reduce their cybersecurity risk.
• The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is composed of three main components:

1. Core:
   • The Core presents five functions—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—that, when combined, provide a high-level, strategic view of an organization’s management of cybersecurity risk.
2. Profiles:
   • A Profile represents the outcomes based on business needs that an organization has selected from the Framework Categories and Subcategories.
   • The Profile can be used to identify opportunities for improving cybersecurity posture by comparing a “Current” Profile with a “Target” Profile.
3. Tiers:
   • Tiers provide context on how an organization views cybersecurity risk and the processes in place to manage that risk.
   • Tiers describe the degree to which an organization’s cybersecurity risk management practices exhibit the characteristics defined in the Framework.

Benefits

• The NIST Cybersecurity Framework offers several benefits to organizations:

1. Risk Management:
   • The framework helps organizations identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risk across the enterprise.
2. Improved Communication:
   • The common language provided by the framework facilitates better communication of cybersecurity issues among stakeholders, including IT staff, executives, and external partners.
3. Compliance:
   • The framework can help organizations meet regulatory requirements related to cybersecurity and demonstrate due diligence.
4. Best Practices:
   • The framework incorporates industry standards and best practices, allowing organizations to benefit from the collective experience and knowledge of cybersecurity professionals.
5. Flexibility:
   • The framework is designed to be adaptable to various sectors and organizations of different sizes.
   • It can be customized to fit an organization’s unique risks, resources, and capabilities.
6. Proactive Approach:
   • By focusing on preventative measures like identifying threats and protecting assets, the framework encourages a proactive approach to cybersecurity, rather than a reactive one.
7. Cost Savings:
   • By preventing cybersecurity incidents, the framework can help organizations avoid the financial losses associated with data breaches and system downtime.