The 5 Elements of the NIST Framework Core

The NIST cybersecurity framework was created by the US government and published in 2014. It sets out a number of recommended standards which organizations in the public and private sector can follow to reinforce their cybersecurity profile.

There are five key functions of the framework, which are identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover.

These functions together add up to a “target profile”, which will be different depending on the particular organization, as companies have varying needs—especially with regard to compliance.

Why Is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Necessary?

Cyberattacks have been on the rise at an alarming rate in recent years.

This won’t be much of a surprise, given how often data breaches and hacks make the news today, but the sophistication of wide-scale social engineering attacks on SMBs and their propensity to cause enormous issues with smaller companies is proving to be a massive threat to modern businesses.

While data breaches for enterprise organizations can be devastating, for SMBs they can be fatal, often resulting in outright bankruptcy for many.

Cyberattacks cost small companies an average of $200,000 and 60% of SMBs close within six months of being hacked.

The COVID pandemic only made matters worse, with unprepared businesses shifting their operations to remote work without the security capabilities of dealing with such a workforce.

The cybersecurity landscape has developed significantly since the pandemic, and the lasting challenges and changes that have arisen because of it should not be understated.

Many of the technology implementations organizations have made to protect themselves since the pandemic will be essential for the future in terms of building a strategy that incorporates the components of the NIST framework.

Who’s the NIST Framework For?

NIST was ostensibly established to provide guidance to companies that operate in supply chains for the federal government like prime contractors and subcontractors.

The standards are however applicable to all businesses. For those organizations that lack a cybersecurity strategy and need a jumping-off point, the NIST framework is a great way of getting one.

Many managed security service providers (MSSPs) will use the NIST framework to determine what a business’ position is and what they need to do with their strategy going forward.

Read More: What Are NIST Security Standards?

Take a look at the infographic to get an overview of what the NIST framework is all about.

If you need cybersecurity but are unsure where to start, consider having a risk audit done by Impact. Get in touch today to get the ball rolling on securing your future.