The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently unveiled its much-anticipated Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (CSF 2.0), marking a significant advancement in the standardization of cybersecurity practices across various sectors. This updated framework introduces a new cybersecurity function and is designed to support a wide range of industries, accompanied by supplementary resources to aid implementation.
Dylan Owen, Chief Engineer at Raytheon's Cyber Protection Services, highlights the importance of this update, stating, "The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 represents a significant step towards cybersecurity standardization across various sectors. While it’s not prescriptive, it provides a common language and methodical approach for managing cybersecurity risk and a more foundational understanding for technical and non-technical staff to communicate these threats." He also points out the challenges organizations may face in implementing the new framework, emphasizing the need for flexibility, leadership buy-in, and coordination across multiple parts of an organization.
Aaron Shilts, CEO of NetSPI, applauds the updates in CSF 2.0, particularly the focus on proactive security strategies and the addition of the Governance function. He notes, "CSF has always championed a proactive security strategy, with the majority of the actions focused on hardening security before a breach or security incident occurs. And it's great to see that they've doubled down on this with version 2.0." Shilts also underscores the importance of tailoring security strategies to an organization's specific risk appetite and business priorities, highlighting the framework's emphasis on risk management across the entire organization.
The introduction of the Govern function in CSF 2.0 has been widely recognized as a crucial industry acknowledgment of the integral role of effective management in cybersecurity. As reported by Dark Reading, this addition bridges a critical gap in the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)'s toolkit, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to management and addressing key concerns that previously lacked clarity.
The expanded scope of CSF 2.0 now extends beyond protecting critical infrastructure to encompass all organizations in any sector. The new focus on governance underscores the importance of considering cybersecurity as a major source of enterprise risk alongside other factors like finance and reputation. The release of NIST's Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 is a significant step forward in enhancing cybersecurity management across sectors. While there are challenges in implementation, the updated framework provides a valuable resource for organizations looking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture in an increasingly complex digital landscape.