??? Integrating NIST Cybersecurity Framework with Cyber Incident Response ??

NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) just got its first major update since 2014! ?? Say hello to NIST CSF 2.0, now even more relevant across industries and business sizes. ??

This update offers a treasure trove of resources ??? that every business can use to boost their cyber incident response strategies. It’s designed to help organizations with minimal or modest cybersecurity measures ease into implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. ???

If you’re looking to integrate NIST’s CSF 2.0 into your Incident Response strategies, this blog is your guide. ?? Let’s dive into the major recommendations in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for Cyber Incident Response and how to ensure your cyber resilience reflects NIST guidance. ??

?? Topics Covered:

1. Understanding the NIST Cybersecurity Framework & Updates
2. Integrating NIST CSF 2.0 with Cyber Incident Response Plans

?? Understanding the NIST Cybersecurity Framework & Updates in 2024 ???

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of guidelines that organizations can implement to better manage cybersecurity risks. It encourages leveraging existing guidance and best practices to reduce and effectively communicate risk and risk management. ??

?? Note: Our NCSC Assured Training in Cyber Incident Planning & Response covers the implementation of the NIST CSF in your IR plans and processes in complete detail. Additionally, our Playbooks Training course teaches you how to create NIST Compliant Cyber Incident Response Playbooks. ??

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is structured around three main components: Core Functions, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles. ???

?? Core Functions of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework:

The NIST CSF 2.0 is organized around 6 core functions:

1. Govern
2. Identify
3. Protect
4. Detect
5. Respond
6. Recover

The Govern function is a new addition in the 2024 update. It defines the outcomes or expectations from the other 5 functions based on the organizational risk context. Governance is crucial for incorporating cybersecurity into the overall Enterprise Risk Management strategy. This function focuses on establishing a robust cybersecurity strategy and a supply chain risk management policy. ??

The Govern function ultimately determines how the organization will implement the other 5 main steps in the NIST Incident Response Framework. Read our detailed blog on how to implement the other steps of the NIST Incident Response process. ??

?? Implementation Tiers of NIST CSF

The CSF 2.0 breaks down the Implementation Tiers as an appendix. The tiers describe organizational profiles based on their levels of cybersecurity maturity. They reflect the organization’s current practices of managing cybersecurity risk. In appendix B, they are broken down as:

• Tier 1 (Partial)
• Tier 2 (Risk-Informed)
• Tier 3 (Repeatable)
• Tier 4 (Adaptive)

?? Organizational Profiles

Organizational Profiles in the NIST CSF 2.0 help align your cybersecurity activities with business requirements, risk tolerances, and resources. Profiles can help you assess where you are in terms of your cyber posture versus where you need to be. You can then implement security controls more effectively to achieve your ‘target profile’. ??

NIST CSF 2.0 also offers Community Profiles which address the same concerns or goals that a group of organizations may share. These organizations may typically belong to the same sector or industry. A community profile may also address a particular technology or threat type. ???

?? Integrating the NIST CSF 2.0 with Cyber Incident Response Planning

Now that you have a better understanding of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and its desired outcomes, it’s time to move on to integrating these into your Incident Response Planning process. ???

Remember, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a tool that you can use to achieve your desired outcomes. The new CSF 2.0 also offers resources such as Quick Start Guides and the Reference Tool which organizations with even modest cybersecurity practices can use to become NIST compliant. However, how you integrate the framework into your Cyber Incident Response Planning depends on you. ???

This is where you might need to take help from an experienced professional. Our Virtual Cyber Assistant service is perfect for small to medium businesses who wish to improve their cybersecurity maturity over time and become compliant with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. ??

Our experienced cybersecurity consultants can help you map your current cybersecurity posture against NIST recommendations. They can then help you draw out an easy-to-implement yet highly effective incident response plan that will lead you to the levels of cyber resilience you’ve set out to achieve. ??

Ultimately, it’s all about how good your cybersecurity incident response plan is and how easily it helps you bounce back after a cybersecurity event. The best part is that this service is extremely cost-effective, remote-only, and offers various packages that you can choose from based on your needs and budget. ??

??? Steps to Integrate NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework into Your Incident Response Strategy:

1. Incident Response Training: Staff awareness about cybersecurity risks and their roles during a cyber attack is critical to cyber resilience. As they say, the human element is the weakest link in the chain and cyber criminals love low-hanging fruit. ??
2. Simulation-based Cyber Tabletop Testing: Cyber Crisis Tabletop Exercises put your team in a simulated attack situation, compelling them to think and act like they would in an actual incident. This exercise tests the effectiveness of your response plans and how well your staff understands them. These drills help identify weaknesses in your existing plans and integrate them better with NIST guidance. ??
3. Continuous Monitoring & Detection: To successfully fulfill the ‘Detect’ function of the NIST CSF 2.0, implement advanced monitoring and threat detection tools. Monitoring and identifying suspicious activity before it becomes a major threat is crucial in the current threat landscape. ??
4. Managing Third-Party Risks: The updated NIST CSF 2.0 emphasizes third-party risk management. Third-party cybersecurity risks are a growing concern for organizations worldwide. Your incident response strategy must include a strong plan for managing and mitigating third-party risks. Conduct a third-party risk assessment to evaluate your current contracts and data sharing practices with third-party providers. ??
5. Information Sharing: Sharing information and threat intelligence with the government, organizations in your community, and regulatory authorities is vital. This practice helps your industry understand emerging threats better and develop a cohesive attack response strategy. Remember, you’re only as secure as your least secure third-party partner. ??

By integrating NIST's Cybersecurity Framework with your cyber incident response strategy, you can make a significant leap in your organizational cyber resilience. You’ll be better poised to detect and defend against cyber threats effectively and recover faster to get back to business as usual. ??

Cyber threats aren’t going to stop evolving anytime soon. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has taken note of this and updated its Cybersecurity Framework accordingly. It’s imperative that you make the most of the refreshed guidance and integrate it into your cybersecurity incident response plans and processes. ??

Stay cyber safe! ????