The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a federal agency that develops standards and guidelines for businesses in a variety of industries. One area that NIST focuses on is security.
NIST’s recommendations for business security are based on the premise that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility between businesses and government.
NIST recommends that businesses adopt a risk-based approach to security, which includes identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. NIST also recommends that businesses develop and implement security policies and procedures, as well as train employees on security awareness and best practices.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of standards and guidelines for businesses to follow to improve their cybersecurity posture. The framework is voluntary, but many businesses have adopted it because it provides a clear and concise way to improve their security posture.
If you’re wondering what the NIST Cybersecurity Framework could mean for your business, here’s a quick overview.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is organized into five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Each function provides guidance on how to implement security controls and manage risks.
Identify
The Identify function helps businesses understand their cybersecurity risks. This includes understanding their assets, vulnerabilities, and threats.
Protect
The Protect function helps businesses protect their assets from threats. This includes implementing security controls, such as access control and intrusion detection.
Detect
The Detect function helps businesses detect cybersecurity incidents. This includes monitoring their systems for suspicious activity and responding to incidents.
Respond
The Respond function helps businesses respond to cybersecurity incidents. This includes containing incidents, mitigating damage, and restoring systems.
Recover
The Recover function helps businesses recover from cybersecurity incidents. This includes developing a plan to return to normal operations and restoring data.
Businesses should also consider implementing technical controls to protect their systems and data, such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and encryption.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. It can help you assess your risks, implement security controls, and manage incidents.
If you’re looking to improve your cybersecurity posture, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a good place to start.