What are the 5 features of the NIST cybersecurity framework? NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of procedures for mitigating corporate cybersecurity risks. This article will discuss the features to protect the organization from attacks.
5 Features of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework is a set of policies, standards, and guidelines for managing cybersecurity risk. So, NIST created the framework to provide the private sector and government with a single, standard resource for cybersecurity.
The five features of the NIST cybersecurity framework are:
- Organizational leadership
- Asset management
- Incident detection, analysis, and resolution
- Security awareness and training
- Monitoring
Organizational Leadership
A certain level of management and leadership is to set up the cyber risk management program.
The top management is accountable for establishing the framework. Also, the management should be responsible for the risk management strategy and assessing the infrastructure.
The organization’s leaders should define the cybersecurity program mission and align it with the business objectives. Once the mission is established, the policy and supporting procedures should be drafted for implementing the cybersecurity program.
Asset Management
It is the responsibility of the organization to protect its assets. The assets include physical, personnel, and data assets. So, the management should identify the assets, prioritize them and assess their vulnerability.
The management should also develop a strategy for protecting the assets. Also, test the effectiveness of the strategy.
Incident Detection and Response
Enhancing the security of IT infrastructure is not sufficient to prevent possible cyber attacks or data breaches. So, the organization must be able to detect and respond to cyber attacks when they occur.
The management needs to train employees on how to identify an incident and report it to the management. Also, if an attack has occurred, the employees should know how to respond in a manner that will minimize damage to the organization.
Security Awareness and Training
Security awareness and training are critical to any security program. Training the employees is one of the most important components of the cybersecurity framework.
All the employees must be on information security policies, procedures, and practices. Also, they should be familiar with the risks associated with cyber-attacks.
The training should be properly designed before it is implemented. Also, it should be regularly reviewed and updated to cover new threats.
Monitoring
The management must implement monitoring mechanisms to detect cyber attacks or data breaches in real-time. It is also important to have a mechanism in place to quickly respond to incidents that may occur.
The management must have a plan for recovery in case the organization experiences a cyber-attack or data breach. Also, the plan should ensure that there is no interruption in business operations.
Challenges
One of the challenges the managers face is protecting physical assets. Physical assets, such as computers, servers, and other expensive equipment are easy targets for cyber attacks.
These assets are often overlooked and ignored since it is difficult to protect them from cyber-attacks. However, cybercriminals can take control of these assets and use them as entry points to steal data or access critical systems.
Conclusion
There are plenty of challenges that organizations face to protect their assets from cyber attacks. But, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides the necessary guidelines for managing cybersecurity risks.