NIST Cybersecurity Framework - An Introduction

Since the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its Cybersecurity Framework in 2014, it has become one of the most widely used tools for managing cybersecurity risk. The framework provides a flexible and adaptable approach to cybersecurity that can be tailored to the specific needs of any organization. In this blog post, we'll provide an overview of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and explain how you can use it to improve your organization's cybersecurity posture.

This post has been written with the help of our GRC team.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework was initially put in place after US President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13636 to better manage the security of its critical infrastructure. Under this Executive Order, NIST was required to develop a framework using existing standards, guidelines, and practices to minimize the risk to the critical infrastructure.  Originally created for private-sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, NIST is now adopted by federal agencies, businesses, and educational institutions alike and from all over the world.

Here’s a quick NIST Cybersecurity Framework Summary and detailed breakdown:

The Framework Core

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is made up of the following core elements - Functions, Categories, Subcategories, and References. 

Functions are used to organize basic cybersecurity concepts and activities. They help an organization demonstrate its cybersecurity risk management capabilities. Categories divide a Function into groups of cybersecurity outcomes that are closely related to programmatic needs and specific activities. Subcategories are used to further divide categories into more specific outcomes of technical and/or management activities. Lastly, informative resources are a set of guidelines, standards, and best practices that are common across critical infrastructure sectors and show how to achieve the outcomes associated with each Subcategory.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 offers a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks, emphasizing proactive measures to enhance organizational resilience against evolving threats. At its core are six key Functions: GOVERN, IDENTIFY, PROTECT, DETECT, RESPOND, and RECOVER.

GOVERN (GV)

This Function establishes the organization's cybersecurity risk management strategy, policies, and expectations. It ensures alignment with broader enterprise risk management strategies and fosters a comprehensive understanding of organizational context, roles, responsibilities, and authorities.

IDENTIFY (ID)

By understanding current cybersecurity risks and organizational assets, this Function enables prioritization of efforts consistent with the risk management strategy. It encompasses the identification of improvement opportunities for policies, plans, and procedures supporting cybersecurity risk management.

PROTECT (PR)

This Function focuses on implementing safeguards to manage cybersecurity risks effectively. It secures assets to prevent or mitigate adverse events, covering aspects such as identity management, access control, awareness training, data security, and technology infrastructure resilience.

DETECT (DE)

Detecting cybersecurity attacks and compromises in a timely manner is the focus of this Function. It facilitates the discovery and analysis of anomalies, indicators of compromise, and other adverse events, supporting incident response and recovery activities.

RESPOND (RS)

Actions taken in response to detected cybersecurity incidents fall under this Function. It includes incident management, analysis, mitigation, reporting, and communication, aimed at containing the effects of incidents and minimizing disruption.



RECOVER (RC)

This Function focuses on restoring assets and operations affected by cybersecurity incidents. It supports the timely restoration of normal operations, reducing the impact of incidents, and facilitating effective communication during recovery efforts.

Framework Profiles

A Profile in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a detailed description of the current state or the desired target state of a cybersecurity activity. The Current Profile describes the cybersecurity outcomes that are being achieved right now, whereas the Target Profile indicates the outcomes that need to be achieved in order to meet the organizational risk management goals. 

In other words, the Framework Profile is used to integrate the Functions, Categories, and Subcategories into the organization's business requirements, resources, and risk tolerance. Organizations can use it to develop a blueprint for risk reduction that takes into consideration the organizational goals, legal and regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and  risk management priorities. 

Profiles also help to assess the resources required to achieve cybersecurity objectives in a cost-effective and prioritized manner. For instance, a comparative study of the Current and Target Profiles mentioned above can highlight the gaps that must be filled in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

Framework Implementation Tiers

The Framework Implementation Tiers describe how an organization views cybersecurity risk and how it is addressed. They describe the organization's current risk management strategy in relation to the framework's characteristics, such as how repeatable, threat aware, and adaptive the strategy is. They range from Partial (Tier 1) to Adaptive (Tier 4).

Tier 1 - Partial: The organization's risk management strategy is not formalized and is managed haphazardly and occasionally reactively. In addition, the organization is not aware of the risks it faces. 

Tier 2 - Risk-Informed: The organization may not have a formalized risk management strategy for managing security risks. The management  is in charge of managing cybersecurity risks as they arise.

Tier 3 - Repeatable:  The organization has a repeatable and formalized process for managing cybersecurity risks and a clearly defined security policy. 

Tier 4 - Adaptable: At this stage, an organization's cybersecurity policies will be adapted based on lessons learned and driven by analytics to provide insights and best practices. The organization continuously improves its security strategy based on the security incidents it experiences and also shares this knowledge with the wider network.

While NIST 2.0 provides a wealth of resources to facilitate the implementation process, including quick-start guides, implementation examples, and detailed guidance materials, our team has some key tips to help kickstart your journey:

To effectively integrate the NIST 2.0 standards into your enterprise, consider the following tips:

Gap Analysis

Conduct a thorough gap analysis of your current cybersecurity framework against the updated NIST guidelines. Identify areas where your organization's practices align with the new standards and areas that require improvement or adjustment. This analysis will serve as the foundation for developing a roadmap towards compliance with NIST 2.0.

Get a Future Report

Obtain a comprehensive maturity score and target security posture assessment for your organization by leveraging future reports. These reports provide valuable insights into where your organization stands in terms of cybersecurity maturity and what steps are necessary to achieve the desired level of security posture outlined in the NIST 2.0 framework.

The Framework is voluntary and provides a flexible approach that can be tailored to the specific needs of any organization. It is not prescriptive, which means that organizations can choose the most appropriate controls for their particular circumstances. The Framework is also designed to be compatible with other security control frameworks, such as ISO 27001 and the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards.  When used correctly, it can help organizations of all sizes to develop a robust risk management strategy that takes into account their specific needs and priorities. Utilizing this framework can offer organizations a clear path forward for improving their cybersecurity posture and protecting their critical infrastructure. Threat Intelligence’s Evolve platform has security capabilities for each of the six pillars of the Framework - ranging from Automated Penetration Testing, Extended Detection and Response, Automated Incident Response to Automated Cyber Threat Intelligence, Leaked Password Monitoring, GRC Services and Supply Chain Monitoring. Contact us if you would like to know more about how we can help you implement the NIST framework in your organization.