What is NIST CSF and why is its implementation important?
NIST is the acronym for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that published the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). This security framework helps organizations—large, medium, or small—understand and identify the cybersecurity risks they may be exposed to, as well as manage and reduce those risks and attack vectors in order to protect their data and infrastructure.
At Klbrs, we understand how important it is for your organization to protect its networks and data. That is why we have highly trained professionals with extensive experience implementing this security framework.
The implementation of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is based on five core functions:
Identify
An audit is conducted on all communication equipment and programs, including:
- Desktop and laptop computers.
- Smartphones and VoIP phones.
- Tablets.
- Network devices and point-of-sale systems.
- Software applications and data currently in use.
A cybersecurity policy is developed within the organization covering the following points:
- Roles and responsibilities of all staff, suppliers, and anyone with access to company data.
- Steps to follow to protect the organization in the event of an attack, limiting potential damage.
Protect
- Control over who can access your organization’s network, as well as who uses computing equipment and other devices.
- Use of security software to protect your data, including periodic updates and automation of these updates.
- Encryption of sensitive data both at rest and in transit.
- Regular and secure backups.
- Procedures for the secure disposal of electronic information and unused devices.
- Cybersecurity awareness training for staff across the organization, helping them understand the risks associated with improper handling of communication devices and data.
Detect
- Monitoring of computers and communication devices to detect unauthorized access.
- Network diagnostics to identify unauthorized users or connections.
- Investigation of any unusual activity on the network or communication equipment by staff or external parties.
Respond
- Implementation of plans to notify customers, employees, suppliers, etc., if data is at risk.
- Ensuring the continued operation of the organization’s activities.
- Reporting incidents to the appropriate authorities.
- Containing the attack to prevent it from spreading throughout the organization’s network.
- Prepared response plans for unforeseen events that may put data at risk, such as natural disasters, climate emergencies, terrorism, etc.
Recover
Proper data restoration processes are implemented, along with diagnostics to ensure the correct functioning of the entire infrastructure and communication devices.
How does Klbrs help you?
We can assist you at any stage of the implementation process. Our experienced team recommends controls that can be implemented using open-source software and/or commercial solutions, according to the needs, risks, and objectives of each organization. We are consultants with more than 10 years of experience in information security and over 20 years in the IT field.
These five key functions provide both your organization and your customers with the confidence that their data will always remain secure, under a globally recognized security framework.
