What Is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)?

The Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a set of cybersecurity best practices and recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CSF makes it easier to understand cyber risks and improve your defenses. Organizations around the world use it to make better risk-based investment decisions. 

The Basics of NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

What is NIST?

Established in 1901, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is an agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its mission is to advance measurement science, standards, and technology to enhance quality of life. For decades, NIST has been a trusted provider of essential computer security guidance.

Why is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) important?

While many cybersecurity best practices exist, they are often lengthy and complex. The CSF simplifies cyber-risk management, enabling organizations to take prompt, effective actions. By using clear and accessible language, it bridges the gap between technical experts and non-technical stakeholders, fostering better understanding across all levels of an organization.

What makes the CSF user-friendly?

The CSF is built around a straightforward structure with five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These functions are expressed in clear, outcome-driven terms, avoiding excessive technical jargon. Additionally, the framework provides a streamlined process to help organizations continuously enhance their cybersecurity efforts.

Is the CSF a compliance mandate?

No, the CSF is not a mandatory compliance standard. Instead, it is a voluntary, adaptable framework designed to be customized to meet the unique needs of any organization.

Who uses the CSF?

Originally designed for critical infrastructure sectors such as healthcare, utilities, and manufacturing, the CSF’s official title is the Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. However, its practical value has led to widespread adoption by organizations of all sizes and industries worldwide.

Core functions of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

Identify

The Identify function helps you to develop an overall risk management approach to cybersecurity. It helps you understand your critical assets, business environment, governance model, and supply chain. 

Protect

Protect helps you put important defensive controls in place based on your critical assets, risk tolerance, and other input from the Identify function. Protect highlights the importance of managing identities, securing access, protecting data, and training users.

Detect

When you are under attack, you may not always know right away. The Detect function shortens the time to discovery by spotting anomalies, investigating events, continuously monitoring, and other detection processes. 

Respon

When you know you are under attack, you have to act fast. Respond helps you take the right action immediately through incident response planning, analysis, mitigation, communication, and ongoing improvement. 

Recover

And once you have stopped the attack, you need to get back to normal. The Recover function helps you restore operations through recovery planning, continuous improvement, and communications.

Source: Cisco