What is NIST?

NIST is a federal agency within the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is to boost innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology. When it comes to cybersecurity, NIST is famous for its guidelines and frameworks that help organizations protect their information and systems. These standards are designed to manage and reduce cyber-risk so organizations can protect their data and the trust of their customers.

When was NIST founded?

NIST, originally known as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), was founded in 1901 to address the need for standardized measurements and promote uniformity in the scientific and industrial sectors. Congress established the agency to eliminate a significant obstacle to U.S. industrial competitiveness — a subpar measurement infrastructure that fell behind the advanced capabilities of the United Kingdom, Germany and other economic rivals. Since then, NIST has grown and expanded its focus. Now, it includes not just measurements but also cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and other critical areas. NBS was renamed to NIST in 1988 to reflect its broader mission of enhancing competitiveness in the American industry.

Why is NIST important?

NIST provides equitable methodologies and guidelines that all organizations can implement easily. In cybersecurity, NIST guidelines give organizations of all sizes a standardized way to manage risk and strengthen their security.

One of the tools it offers is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), which includes best practices for identifying, protecting against, detecting, responding to and recovering from cyber incidents. Following the framework allows organizations to harden their systems and data against threats and demonstrate a commitment to security.

Moreover, NIST guidelines help organizations comply with industry-specific regulations like HIPAA for healthcare, FISMA for federal agencies and PCI-DSS for payment card industries. Meeting these standards isn’t just about avoiding legal trouble; it’s about being competitive by following globally accepted best practices and fostering a culture of security and resilience against growing threats.

How to use NIST

NIST has a whole suite of standards, frameworks and controls that ultimately produce guidelines for implementing and managing cybersecurity. NIST’s guidelines are designed to be flexible so organizations of all sizes and industries can tailor the recommendations to their needs.

Organizations can start by conducting a risk assessment using the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) to identify and prioritize risks. From there, they can use the NIST special publication (SP) 800 series to get more detail on specific topics like access control (SP 800-53), incident response (SP 800-61) and cloud security (SP 800-144).

Let’s take a look at some of the standards, frameworks and controls.

Standards

NIST publishes standards and SP that provide detailed guidelines on specific aspects of cybersecurity. One of the most popular series is the NIST 800 series, which provides in-depth guidance on information security and privacy controls.

• SP 800-53: This publication provides a catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations to ensure the protection of the systems and the information processed, stored and transmitted by them.
• SP 800-171: It provides guidelines for safeguarding controlled unclassified information (CUI) in non-federal systems and organizations, ensuring that it is not disclosed to unauthorized individuals.
• SP 800-37: This publication is a roadmap for applying the RMF to federal information systems. It’s a structured process to integrate security and risk management activities throughout the system development lifecycle.
• SP 800-30: This is a guideline for conducting risk assessments. It outlines a process for identifying and assessing risks to your organization’s operations, assets and people.
• SP 800-115: Get guidance on information security testing and assessment, such as methodologies for testing security controls and finding vulnerabilities.
• SP 800-144: This document is designed to help organizations understand the security and privacy challenges associated with public cloud computing and to offer practical recommendations for addressing these challenges.
• SP 800-61: This publication provides guidelines for handling and responding to computer security incidents. It outlines a process for preparing for, detecting, analyzing and responding to security incidents.
• SP 800-137: This publication provides guidelines for continuous monitoring of information systems, a framework for maintaining ongoing awareness of security controls and risks.

Frameworks

NIST also has several frameworks that provide a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risk and protecting critical infrastructure.

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): The NIST CSF is the go-to resource for private sector organizations in the U.S. to improve their cybersecurity. The framework was developed in response to an executive order by President Obama in 2013 to improve critical infrastructure cybersecurity. It provides clear guidance on how to assess and improve the ability to prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks. It has FIVE core functions — Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover — each with categories and subcategories that help organizations build a robust cybersecurity strategy. NIST CSF is used by organizations of all sizes to improve their cybersecurity.
• NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF): This framework provides a process for integrating security and risk management into the system development lifecycle. The RMF includes steps such as categorizing systems, selecting and implementing security controls, assessing their effectiveness, authorizing system operations and continuous monitoring of security postures. By following the RMF, organizations can ensure security is considered from the beginning of system development through deployment and maintenance.
• NIST Privacy Framework: This framework is a tool to improve privacy through enterprise risk management. It was developed to help organizations protect individual privacy and guide them in identifying and managing privacy risks associated with their data processing activities. It aligns with the NIST CSF and is structured around three main components: Core, Profiles and Implementation Tiers.
  • Core: Provides a set of privacy protection activities and desired outcomes, organized into functions such as Identify, Govern, Control, Communicate and Protect.
  • Profiles: Allow organizations to align their privacy practices with business needs and regulatory requirements.
  • Implementation tiers: Offer a way to gauge the maturity of privacy risk management practices.

Controls

NIST controls are specific requirements or practices that organizations must implement to comply with NIST standards and frameworks. These controls provide a detailed blueprint for securing information systems and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information.

• Access control: This control ensures that only authorized individuals can access specific information systems and data.
• Audit and accountability: This control ensures that security-relevant activities are recorded and can be reviewed for accountability.
• Configuration management: This control ensures that information systems are configured securely and managed consistently.

What is NIST compliance?

NIST compliance means following the guidelines and standards set forth by NIST. To be NIST compliant means that an organization has implemented the necessary security controls and practices according to NIST to protect their information, systems and data. Compliance is verified through audits and assessments, ensuring that organizations meet the required standards.

Additionally, NIST certification can be pursued by organizations to prove their adherence to NIST standards. This certification process involves rigorous evaluation by third-party assessors who review the organization’s security measures and practices against the NIST criteria.

Additional Reading: IT Compliance: Understanding Its Purpose and Benefits

Is NIST compliance mandatory?

NIST compliance is not mandatory for all organizations, but it is required for federal agencies and contractors that handle federal information. Many private sector organizations voluntarily follow NIST guidelines to improve their cybersecurity and comply with industry regulations. Compliance with NIST is regulated through audits and assessments conducted by certified auditors.

What are the benefits of NIST compliance?

Following NIST standards gives you:

• Fortified security posture: Following NIST guidelines helps organizations build a strong security foundation that protects their information, systems and data from cyberthreats. This reduces the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
• Regulatory compliance alignment: NIST compliance helps organizations meet regulatory requirements and industry standards, ensuring that they adhere to best practices for cybersecurity and data protection. For instance, sectors such as healthcare, finance and government are subject to stringent regulations like HIPAA, GLBA and FISMA, which mandate robust security measures. By following NIST guidelines, organizations can align their cybersecurity practices with these regulations, reducing legal and financial risks.
• Enhanced trust and reputation: Organizations that are NIST-compliant show they care about cybersecurity, which increases their reputation and trust with customers, partners and stakeholders.
• Reduction of unwanted costs: Data breaches and cyberattacks can cost millions due to stolen data and disrupted business, reputation damage aside. Additionally, failure to comply with industry regulations can lead to hefty fines and legal penalties. Implementing NIST standards can help organizations minimize the likelihood of costly security incidents and avoid financial penalties, ultimately saving the organization money and protecting its bottom line.

How can Kaseya help with NIST compliance?

Kaseya offers a range of products and services to simplify IT management, and the star of the show is Kaseya 365. Launched this year, Kaseya 365 is designed to help IT teams and MSPs grow and overcome their IT challenges without breaking the bank. This all-in-one platform lets you manage, secure, back up and automate your endpoints for one affordable subscription.

What’s more, all the solutions that make up Kaseya 365 are integrated and designed to help you stay compliant with NIST standards. By leveraging this powerful platform, you can streamline your cybersecurity efforts, ensure regulatory compliance and protect systems and data effectively and affordably.

Endpoint monitoring and troubleshooting

Remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions, part of Kaseya 365, offer robust endpoint monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time. By continuously monitoring endpoints, organizations can identify and address vulnerabilities before cyber attackers exploit them, aligning with NIST’s recommendations for securing information systems and protecting sensitive data.

Security management

Kaseya 365 offers advanced security features, including patch management, endpoint detection and response (EDR) and antivirus protection. These tools help organizations implement the necessary security controls to protect their information systems and data, ensuring compliance with NIST guidelines.

Data loss protection

Kaseya 365 includes comprehensive backup and data loss protection solutions, safeguarding critical data against loss or corruption. By implementing robust backup strategies, organizations can ensure that their data is protected and recoverable in the event of a cyber incident.

Ready to see Kaseya 365 in action? Watch our on-demand webinar, Introducing Kaseya 365, to learn more!

Implement NIST standards and guidelines with Kaseya 365

You can cut your IT management costs by 70% while easily staying compliant with NIST frameworks. That’s what Kaseya 365 can do for you. This all-in-one platform streamlines the way you manage, secure, back up and automate your endpoints, making your job significantly easier.

No more jumping between different tools or subscriptions. With Kaseya 365, everything you need is integrated into one seamless experience within the IT Complete interface. It’s designed to help you effortlessly meet NIST compliance, ensuring your organization adheres to regulatory standards and builds trust with your stakeholders.

Curious about how much simpler your IT management can be? Request a demo of Kaseya 365 today and discover how our platform can protect you from cyberthreats, save you money and keep your data safe. Simple and secure with Kaseya 365 — your IT team will love you for it!

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What Is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a voluntary framework that consists of standards, guidelines and best practices issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors and academia. It was originally targeted at improving cybersecurity for critical infrastructure sectors in the United States. Those key sectors included finance, energy, healthcare and defense. It was also intended to be used by federal agencies as well as state and local governments. Version 1.0 of the NIST CSF was released in February 2014.

The framework has since been revised, with the goal of making it flexible enough to be used by small and large businesses across every industry sector. It also has broader applicability to not just IT but also the IoT— Internet of Things. The latest version of the NIST CSF is version 1.1, which was released in April 2018. The new version included updates on the following:

• Authentication and identity management
• Self-assessing cybersecurity risk
• Managing cybersecurity within the supply chain (including buying guidance for commercial, off-the-shelf products and services)
• Vulnerability disclosure
• Clarifications on the relationship between Implementation Tiers and Profiles

At the time of its release, the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, said “The voluntary NIST Cybersecurity Framework should be every company’s first line of defense. Adopting version 1.1 is a must-do for all CEOs.” This still holds true today.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework consists of three components, which we’ll dive into next.

What Are the Three Components of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The three main components of the framework are:

1. Framework Core: A set of desired cybersecurity outcomes organized in a hierarchy and includes five functions of a cybersecurity program – Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.
2. Implementation Tiers: The Tiers that range from Partial (Tier 1) to Adaptive (Tier 4) provide a qualitative measure of the cybersecurity risk management practice in the organization.
3. Profiles: Profiles are an organization’s alignment of its requirements and objectives, risk appetite and resources using the desired outcomes of the Framework Core. These identify opportunities for improving cybersecurity posture by comparing a “Current” Profile with a “Target” Profile.

Let’s take a deeper dive into each of these components and see how they make the framework whole.

Framework Core

The Framework Core consists of three parts — Functions, Categories and Subcategories, and as mentioned earlier, includes five high-level functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover. The Categories cover the cybersecurity objectives of an organization and the Subcategories are outcome-driven statements that provide considerations for creating or improving a cybersecurity program. The three components of the Core work in concordance to help an organization manage its risks by organizing information, addressing threats and learning from previous incidents.

The image below depicts the categories in each function.

Implementation Tiers

The Implementation Tiers are composed of four tiers – Partial, Risk-Informed, Repeatable and Adaptive. These tiers describe different degrees of sophistication in the measures taken by an organization. The cybersecurity risk processes that collectively indicate a tier are:

• Risk Management Process: The functionality and repeatability of cybersecurity risk management
• Integrated Risk Management Program: The extent to which cybersecurity is considered in broader risk management decisions
• External Participation: The degree to which the organization benefits by sharing or receiving information from outside parties

While tiers do not represent maturity levels, an organization must determine the desired tier and ensure that it meets the goals of the tier by implementing necessary actions and reducing cybersecurity risk.

Profiles

This component of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework enables organizations to establish a roadmap for reducing cybersecurity risk by chalking up their organizational goals, aligning any potential cyber risk to these goals, and following industry standards and best practices to avoid these risks.

An organization can map its cybersecurity requirements, mission objectives and operating methodologies, along with current practices against the subcategories of the Framework Core.

In the above image, when comparing a “Current” Profile with a “Target” Profile, the analysis of the gap between the profiles allows organizations to create a prioritized implementation plan.

Using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Here are 7 steps you should follow to implement the NIST Cybersecurity Framework in your organization:

1. Prioritize and Scope – Identify organizational objectives and priorities and identify the IT systems and assets relevant to these objectives. These assets are to be prioritized to be protected at all costs.
2. Orient – Identify related systems and assets and regulatory requirements pertaining to these systems. Then identify vulnerabilities of these systems and assets and the threats these could face.
3. Create a Current Profile – The Current Profile of your organization should integrate every control found in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework in order to determine which control outcomes are being achieved.
4. Conduct a Risk Assessment – Determine the likelihood of cybersecurity events and the impact they could have on your organization.
5. Create a Target Profile – Determine where you want your organization to be in terms of cybersecurity posture. Create a target maturity score that incorporates the framework’s Categories and Subcategories assessment and work towards the desired outcomes.
6. Determine, Analyze and Prioritize Gaps – Close the gaps between the Current Profile and Target Profile. Create an action plan that involves determining the budgeting, risks and the tasks to be implemented to address the gaps in the Current Profile.
7. Implement the Action Plan – Take the steps required to close the gaps as discussed above. Adjust your cybersecurity practices to achieve your Target Profile.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework, although voluntary, is highly recommended as a way to formulate and manage your cybersecurity programs and processes. The framework:

• Ensures you have robust security policies and standards in place
• Helps your organization enhance its overall security posture against ever-evolving cyber threats
• Provides a process for continuous improvement of your organization’s security practice

Kaseya Compliance Manager enables organizations to demonstrate NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliance with ease. It gives users a high-level overview of how well their organization complies with the framework, identifies gaps in an organization’s protection and compliance, and produces a list of issues users must remediate to ensure compliance.

Users also receive a risk scoring matrix that can be used to prioritize risks and appropriately allocate money and resources to ensure that identified issues are resolved. You can learn more about Kaseya Compliance Manager for NIST Cybersecurity Framework here.

*All images are from the NIST website.

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