Definition and purpose

The primary purpose of the NIST CSF is to provide a policy framework of computer security guidance for how private sector organizations in the United States can assess and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber attacks. It aims to enhance the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure by promoting the protection of information and information systems.

Governing Body

The NIST CSF is developed and maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Last updated

The NIST CSF was initially published in 2014, with the latest version, NIST CSF 1.1, released in April 2018. Updates and revisions are periodically made to address evolving cybersecurity threats and practices. It is advisable to check the official NIST website for the most current version.

Applies to

The NIST CSF applies to all industries and organizations, regardless of size or sector. It is particularly relevant for organizations involved in critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, finance, healthcare, and transportation, but it is also widely adopted by private companies, government agencies, and other entities.

Controls and requirements

The NIST CSF is organized into five core functions, which are further divided into categories and subcategories:

• Identify: Develop an organizational understanding to manage cybersecurity risk to systems, assets, data, and capabilities.
• Protect: Develop and implement appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical infrastructure services.
• Detect: Develop and implement appropriate activities to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event.
• Respond: Develop and implement appropriate activities to take action regarding a detected cybersecurity event.
• Recover: Develop and implement appropriate activities to maintain plans for resilience and to restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity event.

For a complete list of controls and requirements, please refer to the official NIST CSF documentation.

Audit type, frequency, and duration

Audits for NIST CSF compliance typically involve internal assessments, third-party evaluations, or both. These audits review the organization's implementation of the framework's guidelines and best practices. The frequency of audits can vary based on organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and the criticality of the systems involved. Regular assessments, such as annual reviews, are commonly recommended.

The duration of an audit depends on the size and complexity of the organization, the scope of the cybersecurity measures being evaluated, and the depth of the audit. It can range from a few days to several weeks.