NIST Releases Expanded Version 2.0 of Landmark Cybersecurity Framework to Help Critical Infrastructure Organizations
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has unveiled version 2.0 of its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), marking a major milestone in cybersecurity strategy. Originally tailored for critical infrastructure organizations, the CSF has garnered widespread adoption beyond its intended scope, prompting NIST to enhance its applicability across diverse sectors and organizational sizes. The updated framework, informed by feedback on its draft, expands core guidance and introduces the crucial "Govern" function, addressing gaps in risk management.
The new framework, which hasn't been updated in about 10 years, comes at a critical time where critical infrastructure organizations face severe cyber attacks that could cripple day-to-day functions within many facets of life. Some attacks have uprooted operations for critical care in health groups and many other industries, which the new framework aims to help thwart.
Robert Booker, Chief Strategy Officer at HITRUST, underscored the significance of the Govern function, emphasizing its pivotal role in risk management within the cybersecurity landscape. Notably, the CSF 2.0 provides users with tailored implementation examples and quick-start guides, facilitating its practical application. Furthermore, it incorporates a searchable catalog of references, streamlining the alignment with over 50 cybersecurity documents.
NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio emphasized the dynamic nature of CSF 2.0, portraying it as a suite of customizable resources adaptable to evolving cybersecurity needs and organizational capabilities. Katherine Ledesma, from industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos, highlighted the framework's implications for organizations with industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT) systems. She emphasized a shift in perception, positioning cybersecurity investment as not merely a cost center but a strategic enabler for business operations, especially critical for industries like manufacturing and utilities.
Ledesma also emphasized the importance of distinguishing between IT and OT environments within the CSF framework, foreseeing a nuanced approach to safeguarding ICS/OT systems. She stressed the need for ongoing updates and specialized guidance to address the unique risks associated with these systems, advocating for the integration of OT-specific considerations into broader cybersecurity planning and guidance documents.
Overall, the release of CSF 2.0 marks a significant advancement in cybersecurity strategy, offering a comprehensive framework adaptable to diverse organizational contexts and emphasizing the critical role of cybersecurity in supporting business resilience and continuity.