NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 at a Glance

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released version 2.0 of its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), updating it for the first time since 2014. The new version broadens its scope to help all organizations, not just critical infrastructure, manage cybersecurity risks.

The aim of the Framework is to Understand, Assess, Prioritize and Communicate cybersecurity risks.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework Version 2.0 brings some important changes for security managers. The new "Govern" feature emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity in governance and risk management. This is also a topic that is becoming more relevant with the NIS2 implementation. Expanded guidelines and specific implementation examples make it easier for practitioners to apply in the OT sector. Additional resources support supply chain security and global applicability ensures that international standards are considered. These updates significantly improve the protection and management of OT infrastructures.

The detection function has been restructured and expanded. The requirements have now become much more comprehensive. This underlines the increasing importance of anomaly detection for the security of companies.

The New Features at a Glance

Extended Scope

Applicable to all organizations, not just critical infrastructure.

New “Govern” Function

Adds governance as the sixth function alongside Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.

Expanded Core Guidance

Provides more comprehensive implementation guidelines.

New Resources

Includes quick-start guides and implementation examples tailored for different audiences.

Global Applicability

Adjustments made for international use, aligning with global cybersecurity needs.

CSF 2.0 Reference Tool

Simplifies implementation with a searchable and exportable catalog of core guidance in human-consumable and machine-readable formats.

Informative References

Offers a searchable catalog showing how actions map onto the CSF, cross-referencing with over 50 other cybersecurity documents, including NIST's own resources.

Focus on Governance

Emphasizes cybersecurity as a major enterprise risk, integrating it into senior leadership considerations alongside finance and reputation.

Support for Supply Chains

Additional resources and guidance to help secure supply chains.

Tailored Pathways

Provides specific pathways and resources for various types of organizations, including small businesses, enterprise risk managers, and those focusing on supply chain security.

How Is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 Structured?

The framework is split into three sectors: The CSF Core, the CSF Organizational Profiles and the CSF Tiers. The aim of this framework is to understand, assess, prioritize and communicate cybersecurity risks in a controlled and standardized way.

CSF Core Structure

NIST (2024)

CSF Functions

NIST (2024)

What Is the CSF Core?

The CSF Core is separated into different functions, which outcomes are then grouped into categories and subcategories.The Core consists of the following functions, which are aimed to support the minimization of cybersecurity risks - GOVERN, IDENTIFY, PROTECT, DETECT, RESPOND, and RECOVER:

GOVERN

This function manages cybersecurity strategy, policy, and risk for the organization, aligning with its mission. It integrates cybersecurity into overall risk management, handling roles, responsibilities, and policy oversight.

IDENTIFY

The organization understands its cybersecurity risks by knowing its assets and suppliers. This helps prioritize efforts and find ways to improve policies and practices.

PROTECT

This function uses safeguards to secure the organization's assets and reduce the risk of cybersecurity events. It includes identity management, training, data security, platform security, and technology resilience.

DETECT

This identifies and analyses potential cybersecurity attacks and compromises by promptly discovering anomalies and indicators of compromise. It supports effective incident response and recovery activities.

RESPOND

This solution takes action upon detecting a cybersecurity incident, focusing on containing its effects. This function includes incident management, analysis, mitigation, reporting, and communication.

RECOVER

facilitates the timely restoration of affected assets and operations after a cybersecurity incident, minimizing its impact and supporting effective communication during recovery.

According to the framework, all actions that support functions GOVERN, IDENTIFY, PROTECT and DETECT should all happen continuously.

However, actions that support RESPOND and RECOVER should be ready at all times and we operational when cybersecurity incidents occur.

What Are the CSF Profiles?

The CSF Organizational Profile defines an organization's current or desired cybersecurity status based on the Core's outcome. It guides actions by considering the organization's mission, stakeholder expectations, threats, and requirements. Every Organizational Profile includes one or both of the following:

Current Profile

A Current Profile specifies the Core outcome that an organization is currently achieving (or attempting to achieve) and characterizes how or to what extent each outcome is being achieved.

Target Profile

A Target Profile specifies the desired outcome that an organization has selected and prioritized for achieving its cybersecurity risk management objectives. the profile considers anticipated changes to the organization’s cybersecurity posture, such as new requirements, new technology adoption, and threat intelligence trends.

What Are the CSF Tiers?

The CSF Tiers provide a guidance for organizations to enhance cybersecurity risk management. Think of it as a scale from basic to advanced practices, guiding how organizations handle risks and complement existing methods. Moving to higher Tiers is recommended for more significant risks or requirements, considering cost-effectiveness. The CSF Tiers are categorized as:

Tier 1 | Partial

At the lowest level, organizations address information security reactively with minimal defenses and lack proactive risk mitigation strategies. They often overlook risks to supply chains and external stakeholders.

Tier 2 | Risk
Informed

Tier-two organizations are aware of major risks like malware and state-sponsored attacks and have some protection measures in place. However, they lack a unified strategy with consistent policies across departments and struggle to address risks in their supply chains effectively.

Tier 3 | Repeatable

Tier-three organizations maintain robust, repeatable information security practices with consistent policies and full visibility into their data environment. They continuously update practices to counter new risks, respond quickly to incidents, and effectively manage risk across supply chains. According to NIST, organizations shouldn't be lower than this tier.

Tier 4 | Adaptive

The highest tier of information security maturity involves adaptive strategies, utilizing advanced technologies like machine learning for detection and response, SIEM systems, and adaptive policies. This level of security readiness is crucial in highly regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure to counter sophisticated threats effectively

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Resources

26. July 2024

Critical Vulnerability in Siemens OT Systems

What does this mean for OT security?

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 at a Glance

The New Features at a Glance

Extended Scope

New “Govern” Function

Expanded Core Guidance

New Resources

Global Applicability

CSF 2.0 Reference Tool

Informative References

Focus on Governance

Support for Supply Chains

Tailored Pathways

How Is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 Structured?

What Is the CSF Core?

GOVERN

IDENTIFY

PROTECT

DETECT

RESPOND

RECOVER

What Are the CSF Profiles?

Current Profile

Target Profile

What Are the CSF Tiers?

Tier 1 | Partial

Tier 2 | Risk Informed

Tier 3 | Repeatable

Tier 4 | Adaptive

Resources

Critical Vulnerability in Siemens OT Systems

Advisories and How to Use Them

Minimizing cybersecurity vulnerabilities at the hardware level

Firewalls Under Attack - How to Protect Your IT/OT Systems

StationGuard 2.40 – New Usability Upgrades

Cracking the Code: How to Uncover Cyber Attacks on Your System

Vulnerability Management in Practice

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 at a Glance

State of the Art in Vulnerability Management

OMI­CRON Con­tributes to Nmap Plug-In

Chances & Risks of Operational Technology in the Energy and Aviation Sectors

Building trust in digital products used in the power grid

Experiences & Innovations in Developing Cybersecurity Products

StationGuard Receives Security Certificate from the BSI

At­ten­tion CVE-2023-45871 - Our Story of Finding and Patching a Critical Vulnerability in Linux

Solving Cybersecurity Problems in Electrical Power Networks

Why do OT networks need an IDS?

StationGuard 2.30 – Improved Efficiency for Intrusion Detection

Digital Transformation in the Power Industry

Vulnerability Management in Substations

Bridging the gap between IT and OT

Security Assessment Findings in Substations and Power Plants

Cybersecurity from the Control Center to the Substation

Feature Preview: Device Search in ZeroLine

Feature Preview: Automatic Device Classification

NIST
Cybersecurity
Framework 2.0
at a Glance

Tier 2 | Risk
Informed

OMICRON Contributes to Nmap Plug-In

Attention CVE-2023-45871 - Our Story of Finding and Patching a Critical Vulnerability in Linux