The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) provides a flexible approach for organisations to manage cybersecurity risk. The latest version (2.0) groups activities into six functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These functions cover everything from establishing governance and understanding legal requirements to implementing safeguards and planning for incident response.
The Govern function emphasises leadership and governance. Organisations should establish policies, assign responsibilities, and understand how cybersecurity risks impact their mission. The Identify function encourages asset inventory and risk assessments to prioritise protective measures. The Protect function covers safeguards such as access control, awareness training, and data security.
Detect focuses on monitoring systems and networks to identify anomalous events promptly. Respond outlines processes to contain and mitigate incidents, and Recover details activities to restore services and incorporate lessons learned. NIST also advises organisations to communicate policies and capabilities to internal and external stakeholders.
Implementing the CSF starts with a self‑assessment against the framework’s categories and subcategories. Use the results to develop a target profile and prioritise improvements. Because CSF is voluntary and adaptable, even small businesses can tailor it to their size, sector, and risk tolerance. Adopting the CSF can help meet regulatory requirements and improve resilience.
