A cybersecurity framework is a highly powerful and rapidly evolving tool that can be used to boost the cybersecurity of any organization or company. Cyber security frameworks feature several protocols and guidelines that are used by organizations to identify and prevent cyberattacks. This section covers everything you need to know about key cyber security frameworks and their components.
Who Created the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?
The NIST cybersecurity framework is developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which works under the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST is created to ensure standardization and innovation, while also advancing research in science, standards, technology, and several other fields.
There are several frameworks that have been developed by the NIST organization, including NIST CSF and the NIST SP 800-53 as well as NIST SP 800-171.
Understanding the Different NIST Cybersecurity Frameworks
As mentioned in the previous section, there are several cybersecurity frameworks that are developed by the NIST organization, and we will discuss some of the frameworks offered as self assessments.
NIST CSF
The institute has come up with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, or the NIST CSF, to ensure that organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure through a set of recommendations and suggestions.
the NIST CSF is a special publication by NIST that provides a list of controls that facilitate the development of secure and compliant information systems. This special publication features controls that can be used to dictate operational and management standards that information systems should use to ensure that critical data is kept confidential and protected from theft or cyberattacks.
NIST SP 800-171
The NIST 800-171 is a Special Publication released by NIST, and it features suggested requirements that can be used by organizations to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of controlled unclassified information (CUI). It can be used by defense contractors and manufacturers for protecting defense contracts and also maintain compliance with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
Moreover, manufacturers who are looking to undertake government and defense contracts on a regular basis need to comply with the requirements and recommendations made by the NIST SP 800-171 framework.
To implement the NIST SP 800-171, manufacturers can work with a cybersecurity consultant that helps them assess their existing cybersecurity infrastructure, and also understands the requirements of this framework completely. This way, they would be able to recommend implementing this special publication into a company’s cybersecurity infrastructure if it is the most viable solution.
