Organizations are constantly seeking a cybersecurity and compliance framework that combines user-friendliness with comprehensiveness. The National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) perfectly aligns with these requirements through its robust five-step approach. On August 8, 2023, NIST reached a new milestone with the release of the
first public draft of NIST CSF 2.0. This transition represents a significant leap forward, offering a more comprehensive and flexible approach to managing cybersecurity risks.
A major notable aspect of this transition is the integration of an innovative sixth function,
‘Govern’. This enhancement empowers enterprises to proactively address cybersecurity concerns, aligning seamlessly with their overarching enterprise risk management strategy.
The primary objective of CSF version 2.0 is to enhance clarity, maintain a consistent level of abstraction, address the evolving landscape of technologies and the associated risks, and establish a stronger alignment with both national and international cybersecurity standards and conventions.
A key distinction in NIST
CSF version 2.0 is its expanded scope. Reflecting a more comprehensive intent, NIST CSF version 2.0 extends its scope beyond critical infrastructure, encompassing organizations of all types. This marks a shift from its initial focus on U.S. critical infrastructure to a more global outlook, acknowledging its widespread adoption by organizations worldwide.
Further, this updated draft iteration now encompasses
6 Functions, 21 Categories, and 112 Subcategories, an upgrade from the earlier Version 1.1, which included 5 Functions, 23 Categories, and 108 Subcategories. Additionally, Version 2.0 is committed to ensuring that its Informative References remain current, establishing links between each Subcategory and the most recent editions of frameworks like NIST 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001.