NIST CSF 2.0

Name: NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (NIST CSF 2.0)

Type: Framework (US Federal)

Authoritative Source:  National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Certification Available: No. There is no official certification for NIST CSF 2.0. However, the Secure Controls Framework Conformity Assessment Program (SCF CAP) has the ability to provide a third-party conformity assessment against the NIST CSF 2.0 functions, categories and subcategories that can lead the following SCF-based certification: SCF Certified – NIST CSF 2.0.

Too Long / Didn’t Read (TL/DR): NIST CSF is not a regulation, certification, or checklist. Instead, it is a flexible framework that guides organizations in building scalable, outcome-driven cybersecurity programs grounded in risk-based decision-making. It is agnostic to industry, size and maturity level, making it a uniquely adaptable model that integrates with many compliance regimes.

NIST CSF is also very popular withing corporate governance for reporting to executive management. The high-level functions of NIST CSF provide a structure to report metrics to non-technical audiences.

Cost To Use NIST CSF 2.0

NIST CSF is free to use and is paid for by US taxpayers through the US Department of Commerce.

GRC-Focused Overview of NIST CSF 2.0

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 offers a high-level model for cybersecurity governance, regardless of sector or maturity. It is particularly valuable in today’s landscape of rapidly evolving threats, increasing regulatory complexity and rising stakeholder expectations. With the release of Version 2.0 in February 2024, NIST modernized the CSF to reflect changing threat landscapes, emerging technologies and widespread adoption across all sectors.

What sets CSF apart is its flexibility and integration capability. It harmonizes with operational frameworks (e.g., ISO, NIST SP 800-53, CIS and SCF controls), supports enterprise risk functions and enables measurable, progressive maturity. It is not a one-size-fits-all model, but it provides a powerful foundation for organizations to build tailored cybersecurity programs.

Successful adoption of CSF 2.0 hinges on executive sponsorship, cross-functional engagement, risk-driven prioritization and most importantly strong cybersecurity documentation. Without it, programs risk becoming disconnected, inconsistent and unauditable.

Organizations that invest in CSF-aligned practices and documentation are better positioned to:

  • Withstand cyber threats and business disruptions;
  • Demonstrate due care to regulators, customers and boards; and
  • Support compliance across a mosaic of frameworks and laws.

This page provides a cybersecurity-focused summary of NIST CSF 2.0 from a GRC practitioner's perspective, including:

  • The history of these frameworks;
  • Practical compliance strategies; and
  • The role of high-quality documentation to be secure, compliant and resilient.

NIST CSF 2.0 - Origins and Purpose

NIST CSF originates from Executive Order 13636, issued by President Barack Obama in 2013. The order called on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a cybersecurity framework for critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, financial services, healthcare and transportation.

Key motivations included:

  • Escalating threats from nation-state actors and criminal enterprises
  • Increasing interconnectivity and reliance on digital systems
  • Fragmented or inconsistent security practices across sectors

NIST CSF 1.0 (2014)

Published in February 2014, CSF Version 1.0 introduced the core structure of the framework:

  • Functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover;
  • Categories and Subcategories: Specific cybersecurity outcomes aligned to each function;
  • Informative References: Mappings to NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001, COBIT, etc.;
  • Implementation Tiers: A measure of cybersecurity maturity and risk management sophistication; and
  • Profiles: Customizable views of desired outcomes based on business needs and threats.

CSF 1.0 rapidly gained traction across public and private sectors, in part due to its simplicity, modularity and vendor-neutrality.

NIST CSF 2.0 (2024)

Released in February 2024, CSF 2.0 reflects nearly a decade of community feedback, sectoral expansion and technological transformation. Key enhancements include:

  • Expanded Scope: Applicable to all sectors, not just critical infrastructure;
  • Six Functions: Introduction of a new sixth Function, Govern, elevating the importance of cybersecurity governance and enterprise risk alignment;
  • Updated Categories and Subcategories: Streamlined and modernized to reflect current practices (e.g., software supply chain, cloud, zero trust);
  • Integration with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM); and
  • New Supporting Resources: Implementation examples, quick start guides and sector-specific profiles.

CSF 2.0 emphasizes cybersecurity as a strategic business function, not just an IT operational issue. It elevates accountability, supports harmonization with other standards and enables a repeatable approach to cyber resilience.

The Six Functions of NIST CSF 2.0

The CSF is organized around six high-level Functions, each representing a key pillar of a comprehensive cybersecurity program:

  • Govern (GV) – New in 2.0
    • Establish and monitor the organization’s cybersecurity risk management strategy, policies, roles and responsibilities.
    • Examples: Risk appetite definition, roles of the board/CISO, governance policies
  • Identify (ID)
    • Understand the business environment, assets, data and supply chain to manage cybersecurity risk.
    • Examples: Asset management, risk assessments, business context
  • Protect (PR)
    • Develop and implement safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services.
    • Examples: Access control, data security, security awareness training, identity management
  • Detect (DE)
    • Develop and implement activities to identify cybersecurity events in a timely manner.
    • Examples: Continuous monitoring, SIEM, anomaly detection
  • Respond (RS)
    • Take action regarding detected cybersecurity incidents.
    • Examples: Incident response plans, communications, analysis, containment
  • Recover (RC)
    • Maintain plans for resilience and restore capabilities or services impaired by incidents.
    • Examples: Business continuity planning, backup, disaster recovery

Each Function is broken down into Categories (key cybersecurity outcomes) and Subcategories (detailed outcome statements). The Framework Core provides a common language to communicate cybersecurity capabilities across stakeholders.

Profiles and Tiers

  • Profiles help organizations define their “Current” and “Target” cybersecurity posture based on risk tolerance and business goals; and
  • Tiers describe the maturity of cybersecurity risk management practices, from Tier 1 (Partial) to Tier 4 (Adaptive). They are not compliance levels but help organizations benchmark and improve over time.

Industry Adoption of NIST CSF

While originally developed for critical infrastructure, the CSF has seen broad cross-industry adoption, especially in:

  • Financial Services. Banks, insurers, credit unions and fintech firms leverage CSF to:
    • Align with FFIEC guidance
    • Map to GLBA Safeguards Rule
    • Respond to NY DFS 23 NYCRR 500 requirements
  • Healthcare. Hospitals, insurers and medical device manufacturers apply CSF to:
    • Align with HIPAA Security Rule
    • Strengthen data governance and incident response
    • Enhance vendor management for PHI
  • Energy and Utilities. Electric, gas and water providers use CSF in conjunction with:
    • NERC CIP standards
    • DOE’s Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2)
    • Operational Technology (OT) risk frameworks
  • Higher Education and Research. Universities and research institutions use CSF to:
    • Protect sensitive research data
    • Manage grant-related security requirements (e.g., NIH, NSF)
    • Enhance endpoint and access control strategies

NIST CSF is also widely used in manufacturing, retail, cloud services, legal and media sectors. Its flexibility makes it attractive to both regulated and non-regulated entities.

Common Methods to Achieve and Maintain Conformity With NIST CSF 2.0

While the CSF is voluntary, successful implementation generally follows a structured, programmatic approach. Organizations often integrate it into broader enterprise risk management (ERM), IT governance and compliance activities.

  • Step 1: Establish Governance (Govern Function)
    • Appoint a cybersecurity program lead or CISO;
    • Define cybersecurity objectives, risk tolerance and stakeholder roles;
    • Align cybersecurity with business objectives and board oversight; and
    • Document governance policies, metrics and reporting lines.
  • Step 2: Perform a Risk-Based Current-State Assessment
    • Map existing cybersecurity controls to CSF Subcategories;
    • Use maturity models (e.g., SSE-CMM, C2M2, COBIT) for deeper evaluation; and
    • Identify gaps between current state and desired outcomes.
  • Step 3: Define a Target Profile and Tier
    • Prioritize Subcategories based on organizational context and risk appetite;
    • Select a realistic Tier aligned with enterprise maturity; and
    • Engage stakeholders across IT, operations, legal, HR and third parties.
  • Step 4: Develop and Implement a Roadmap
    • Translate the Target Profile into actionable projects;
    • Develop a multi-year improvement roadmap (people, process, technology); and
    • Include training, tooling, governance and third-party management initiatives.
  • Step 5: Monitor and Improve
    • Implement Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);
    • Conduct annual CSF reassessments to measure progress; and
    • Update policies, control designs and documentation as threats evolve.
  • Supporting Tools and Methods
    • Crosswalks: Use NIST OLIR mappings between CSF and frameworks like SCF, NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, etc.;
    • Sector Profiles: Leverage sector-specific guidance (e.g., financial, healthcare, manufacturing); and
    • Toolkits: Use NIST’s implementation guides, quick start templates and assessment worksheets.

Organizations do not need to implement every Subcategory. CSF is inherently risk-based, allowing flexibility to tailor priorities.

Understanding The Value of Quality Cybersecurity Documentation To Conform With NIST CSF 2.0

Strong cybersecurity documentation is not only a best practice, but is essential for implementing and maintaining alignment with CSF 2.0. Documentation supports:

  • Governance and Accountability
    • Policies define organizational expectations for cybersecurity behavior;
    • Charters articulate responsibilities of the CISO, risk committees and audit functions; and
    • Metrics documentation supports transparency and board-level reporting.
  • Risk Management
    • Risk registers capture identified risks and mitigation strategies aligned to CSF Categories;
    • Risk assessment methodologies provide repeatable, defensible evaluation frameworks; and
    • Control selection rationales show why certain CSF outcomes were adopted or deferred.
  • Implementation and Operations
    • Security procedures define how CSF-aligned controls are executed;
    • System security plans (SSPs) detail how controls apply to specific systems or business units; and
    • Configuration standards, incident playbooks and asset inventories support operational readiness.
  • Audit Readiness and Continuous Improvement
    • Assessment reports and evidence artifacts are used in internal audits and external reviews;
    • Management reviews document strategic decisions and improvements; and
    • Lessons learned from incidents feed back into CSF-based control enhancements.

Documentation also serves as a communication tool that helps business leaders, regulators, partners and auditors understand the maturity and integrity of the cybersecurity program.

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NIST CSF 2.0 policies standards procedures template