5 Overview of the NIST cybersecurity framework The NIST cybersecurity framework (NIST CSF) is a widely adopted approach for managing cybersecurity risk. Developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, it provides a common structure and vocabulary for understanding, assessing, and improving cybersecurity across an organization. Rather than prescribing specific technologies or controls, NIST CSF defines outcomes. It helps organizations describe what effective cybersecurity looks like, independent of industry, size, or technical maturity. This makes the framework applicable to everything from small enterprises to global organizations operating complex, distributed IT environments. At its core, the NIST cybersecurity framework is a tool for clarity. It helps organizations move beyond fragmented security activities toward a more consistent, risk-based approach. Purpose of the NIST cybersecurity framework Cybersecurity affects far more than IT systems. It influences operational continuity, regulatory compliance, financial exposure, and customer trust. Many organizations struggle to align technical security work with business priorities, especially when different teams use different terminology or frameworks. The NIST cybersecurity framework was created to address this challenge. Its primary goals are to: Establish a shared language for cybersecurity risk Support consistent risk management practices Improve communication between technical teams, executives, and external stakeholders By focusing on outcomes instead of controls, NIST CSF enables organizations to integrate cybersecurity into broader enterprise risk management without forcing a single implementation model. Who the NIST cybersecurity framework is for The NIST cybersecurity framework is intentionally broad. It is used by: Private-sector organizations across regulated and unregulated industries Government agencies and public-sector entities Critical infrastructure operators Technology providers and service organizations Boards, executives, risk managers, auditors, and security teams The framework does not assume a specific starting point. Organizations can use it whether they are building a cybersecurity program from scratch or refining an existing one. How the NIST cybersecurity framework is structured The NIST cybersecurity framework is built around three core components: The CSF Core Profiles Tiers Together, these components help organizations translate high-level risk considerations into practical priorities and actions. The NIST CSF core explained The CSF Core defines a set of cybersecurity outcomes organized into six high-level Functions: Govern Identify Protect Detect Respond Recover These Functions represent different aspects of managing cybersecurity risk. They are not sequential steps or a checklist. Instead, they describe activities that operate continuously and reinforce one another. Govern Govern establishes how cybersecurity risk is managed at the organizational level. It addresses strategy, policies, roles, oversight, and supply chain risk management. This function makes explicit the link between cybersecurity and enterprise risk management. It ensures that cybersecurity priorities reflect business objectives, regulatory obligations, and risk tolerance. Identify Identify focuses on understanding what the organization has and what risks it faces. This includes assets such as data, systems, services, people, and suppliers. Accurate identification provides the foundation for prioritization. Without visibility into assets and dependencies, cybersecurity efforts tend to be reactive or misaligned. Protect Protect addresses safeguards that reduce the likelihood or impact of cybersecurity incidents. This includes outcomes related to access control, data protection, awareness and training, platform security, and infrastructure resilience. Protect is not about eliminating risk entirely. It is about applying appropriate safeguards based on risk and business impact. Detect Detect focuses on identifying cybersecurity events in a timely manner. This includes monitoring systems, analyzing anomalies, and correlating signals that may indicate an incident. Effective detection enables faster response and reduces the scope and impact of incidents. Respond Respond covers actions taken after a cybersecurity incident is detected. This includes incident management, analysis, communication, and mitigation. The goal is to contain the incident, limit damage, and support informed decision-making while the incident is unfolding. Recover Recover addresses restoring services, data, and operations after an incident. It includes recovery planning, execution, and communication. Recover emphasizes resilience and continuity, recognizing that incidents will occur despite preventive controls. Categories and subcategories in NIST CSF Each Function in the CSF Core is divided into Categories and Subcategories. These describe more specific cybersecurity outcomes, such as maintaining asset inventories, protecting data confidentiality, or executing recovery plans. Subcategories are intentionally technology-agnostic. They describe what should be achieved, not how to achieve it. Organizations map these outcomes to internal controls, standards, or technologies based on their own environment and risk profile. This approach allows NIST CSF to remain relevant as technologies and threats evolve. Using NIST CSF profiles in practice Profiles are how organizations apply the NIST cybersecurity framework to their own context. A profile represents a selection of CSF outcomes tailored to specific business objectives, risks, and constraints. Most organizations define: A Current Profile, which reflects existing cybersecurity capabilities A Target Profile, which defines desired outcomes based on risk tolerance and priorities Comparing these profiles helps organizations identify gaps and prioritize improvements. Profiles can be scoped at different levels. An organization might create profiles for the entire enterprise, a specific business unit, a data platform, or a particular threat scenario such as ransomware. NIST CSF tiers and risk management maturity Tiers describe the degree to which an organization’s cybersecurity risk management practices are formalized, consistent, and adaptive. Rather than acting as compliance levels, Tiers provide context. They help organizations understand how cybersecurity risk is managed across the enterprise, from informal or ad hoc approaches to more structured, continuously improving practices. An organization may operate at different tiers in different areas, depending on risk exposure, regulatory requirements, and available resources. Clarifying the scope of the NIST cybersecurity framework Understanding what the NIST cybersecurity framework does not do is essential. The framework: Does not mandate specific technologies or vendors Does not replace regulatory or compliance requirements Does not provide a certification by default Does not eliminate the need for risk-based decision-making Instead, NIST CSF acts as a unifying structure. It helps organizations organize existing practices, identify gaps, and communicate risk more effectively. Common uses of the NIST cybersecurity framework Organizations use NIST CSF in a variety of ways, including: Assessing cybersecurity posture Aligning security investments with business priorities Supporting board-level and executive discussions Improving coordination between security, IT, and risk teams Communicating expectations to suppliers and partners Because the framework is flexible, it can be adopted incrementally and refined over time. Why organizations continue to use NIST CSF Cyber threats, technologies, and operating models continue to evolve. The strength of the NIST cybersecurity framework lies in its ability to remain useful despite these changes. By focusing on outcomes, governance, and communication, NIST CSF supports long-term risk management rather than short-term compliance. It allows organizations to adapt their cybersecurity approach as business needs and threat landscapes change. NIST CSF as a foundation for cybersecurity risk management At its core, the NIST cybersecurity framework provides a structured way to think about cybersecurity risk. It helps organizations connect technical security activities to business impact, operational resilience, and enterprise risk management. Whether used as a starting point or as a way to refine an existing program, NIST CSF offers a common reference for understanding what effective cybersecurity looks like—and how to work toward it over time.
