What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a comprehensive set of guidelines designed and adapted since early 2004 to help organizations manage and mitigate cybersecurity risks developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST CSF provides a structured approach to cybersecurity that is flexible, cost-effective, and scalable, making it applicable to various industries and organizations of different sizes. This provides a broad approach to cybersecurity risk management that can be tailored to an organization’s specific needs, unlike more prescriptive standards. The key benefits include improved risk management, enhanced resilience against cyber threats, and better alignment with regulatory and industry standards.

Why was the NIST CSF Created?

The NIST CSF was created to address the growing complexity of cybersecurity threats and the need for a standardized approach to managing these risks. The primary goals include:

  • Improving Risk Management: Provide organizations with a flexible framework to assess and improve their cybersecurity practices.
  • Enhancing Resilience: Strengthen the ability of organizations to withstand and recover from cyber incidents.
  • Fostering Communication: Facilitate communication about cybersecurity risks and practices among stakeholders, including management, IT, and external partners.
  • Supporting Compliance: Align with existing cybersecurity regulations and standards to support compliance efforts.

Who has to comply with the NIST CSF?

The NIST CSF is designed for:

  • Organizations of all sizes: Applicable to both small and large organizations across various sectors.
  • Government Entities: U.S. federal agencies and contractors are encouraged to use the framework.
  • Private Sector: Businesses and organizations that need to manage cybersecurity risks and protect sensitive information.

Key Requirements for Compliance:

The NIST CSF is organized into three main components:

1. Core Functions: The framework includes five core functions to guide cybersecurity activities:

  1. Identify: Develop an understanding of organizational assets, risks, and vulnerabilities.
  2. Protect: Implement safeguards to ensure the delivery of critical infrastructure services.
  3. Detect: Develop and implement activities to identify cybersecurity events in a timely manner.
  4. Respond: Take action regarding a detected cybersecurity incident.
  5. Recover: Develop and implement strategies to restore capabilities and services impaired by cybersecurity incidents.

2. Implementation Tiers: Tiers help organizations assess the maturity of their cybersecurity practices and capabilities, ranging from Partial (Tier 1) to Adaptive (Tier 4).

3. Profiles: Profiles help organizations align their cybersecurity practices with business requirements and risk tolerance.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Since the NIST CSF is a framework rather than a regulation, it does not impose penalties. But, non-compliance with cybersecurity frameworks and best practices can still lead to:

  • Regulatory Fines: Fines from industry-specific regulations that mandate adherence to cybersecurity standards.
  • Reputational Damage: Loss of customer trust and potential business impacts due to data breaches.
  • Operational Disruption: Financial losses and operational disruptions resulting from cyber incidents.

Organizations should regularly review and update their cybersecurity practices, ideally on an annual basis or whenever significant changes occur in their technology or threat landscape.

Action Plan for Complying with the NIST CSF

1. Understand the Framework: Familiarize yourself with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework’s core functions, implementation tiers, and profiles.
2. Assess Current Practices: Evaluate your organization’s current cybersecurity practices and identify gaps.
3. Develop a Cybersecurity Plan: Create a plan to address identified gaps and align with the framework’s core functions.
4. Implement Safeguards: Apply protective measures and procedures to address identified risks.
5. Monitor and Review: Continuously monitor cybersecurity activities and review practices to ensure effectiveness.
6. Train Employees: Provide training to staff on cybersecurity best practices and their roles in maintaining security.

How can Craft help?

The Craft platform is designed to enhance your organization’s cybersecurity posture and ensure compliance with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Our platform offers:

  • Identify risky suppliers with in-depth company profiles and easily scalable due diligence
  • Continuously monitor your supplier network for changes and potential violations.
  • Document your efforts for proof of compliance
  • Collaborate and share information across teams for faster risk mitigation.

Learn More

Related Regulations

Understanding and implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is crucial for procurement and supply chain professionals to manage cybersecurity risks effectively. By adopting best practices and leveraging tools like Craft, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity resilience and maintain compliance.

For an overview of regulations affecting the global supply chain, visit our compliance hub.

In this article

  • What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

  • Why was the NIST CSF Created?

  • Who has to comply with the NIST CSF?

  • Action Plan for Complying with the NIST CSF

  • How can Craft help?

  • Related Regulations