Many of the country's most creative organizations depend on ✓ Solved

Many of the country's most creative organizations depend on the NIST for technical development and protection. As a result, many high-tech companies have made compliance with NIST standards and guidelines a top priority. The NIST is a non-regulatory government agency that develops technology, measurements, and standards to help U.S.-based science and technology companies innovate and compete more effectively. NIST contributes to this initiative by developing principles and recommendations to assist government agencies in meeting the Federal Information Security Management Act's specifications (FISMA). NIST also offers cost-effective services to help certain agencies secure their information and information systems.

NIST, in particular, creates Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) that are compliant with FISMA. The Secretary of Commerce approves FIPS, and government agencies must follow it – they cannot opt out of using the requirements. Along with its Special Publications (SP) 800-series, NIST also publishes guidance documents and recommendations. If they are national security programs and services, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations require agencies to follow NIST guidelines. "In the paper titled 'Mitigating the Risk of Software Vulnerabilities by Adopting a Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF),' NIST provided organizations with solid guidelines to avoid the nasty, not to mention expensive consequences of a data breach" (Danhieux, 2019).

NIST guidance, in general, establishes a collection of guidelines for recommended security controls for federal information systems. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is an example of a commonly accepted NIST standard. The government approves these guidelines, and businesses follow them because they cover security best practices controls across various industries. The NIST guidelines are based on best practices from multiple security manuals, associations, and journals and are intended to serve as a guideline for federal agencies and programs that need rigorous security. "In many cases, complying with NIST guidelines and recommendations will help federal agencies ensure compliance with other regulations, such as HIPAA, FISMA, or SOX" (Lord, 2020).

Frequently, NIST guidelines are created to assist agencies in meeting particular regulatory enforcement criteria. NIST, for example, has outlined nine steps for complying with FISMA. Sort the data and information you want to keep safe into categories. Establish a benchmark for the minimum controls needed to safeguard the data. To fine-tune the baseline controls, conduct risk assessments.

In a written protection plan, document the baseline controls. Implement protection controls in your data structures. Once security measures have been introduced, keep an eye on them to see how effective they are. Determine the level of risk at the agency level based on the evaluation of security controls. Authorize the collection of information by the information system. Track the security controls regularly. The first advantage of NIST enforcement is that it aids in the protection of an organization's infrastructure. NIST also sets out the groundwork for businesses to pursue to comply with relevant legislation like HIPAA or FISMA. It's important to remember, though, that complying with NIST does not guarantee that your data is stable. That's why NIST advises businesses to inventory their cyber assets using a value-based approach, so they can identify their most sensitive data and focus their security efforts on it.

"The NIST summed up the dilemma quite nicely. It said that in a data-driven society there is a fine line between building innovative products and services that use personal data and still protecting people’s privacy" (Roe, 2020).

According to Sedgewick (2014), “The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was published with the aim of improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, a presidential executive order that called for a standardized security framework for critical infrastructure in the United States.” NIST is the best guideline that can help an organization to transform its cybersecurity and risk management from a reactive approach to a proactive one. However, it can be a complicated framework for database managers to actually implement and use in their organization. This NIST framework helps companies to understand the threats, vulnerabilities, and risks of their cybersecurity framework so that they can reduce any potential risks and develop ways of proactively managing any cybersecurity incidents.

It is also important to note that the NIST framework helps organizations to respond and recover from incidents of cybersecurity where they are required to analyze the root cause of the problem and develop ways to ensure that such a problem does not befall them again in the future.

In order to effectively implement the NIST cybersecurity framework, the database administrators (DBAs) need to adhere to three main tenets of the framework: the implementation framework cores, implementation tiers, and profiles. Starting with profiles, Barrett (2018) asserts, “Profiles under the NIST Cybersecurity Framework relate to both the current status of your organization's cybersecurity measures and the roadmaps you have towards being NIST Cybersecurity Framework compliant.” The profile is basically a cyber risk assessment where the DBAs steer the organization to have a baseline of cybersecurity management and integrate those baselines into the NIST cybersecurity framework profile.

The next issue for DBAs is implementing the Tiers. The database administrators have four tiers to adopt, which include partial, risk-informed, repeatable, and adaptive tiers. For the partial tier, it means that the database administrators only embrace reactive measures to cybersecurity, and they are limited to threats and risk management. Tier two means that the DBAs are informed and have made cybersecurity policies complying with NIST an organizational policy, although they base their management on the risks as they happen. Tier 3 is repeatable, where the DBAs form a risk management process that is followed by defined security policy. Tier 4 is the best that the DBAs can ever implement. At this stage, the DBAs have a comprehensive cybersecurity policy and framework that is proactive in nature and based on the lessons learned from past cybersecurity incidents.

The core functions are the functions that the NIST cybersecurity framework outlines and need to be followed by organizations to safeguard their cybersecurity space. The database managers have to start with identifying the loopholes that might cause cybersecurity incidents in the company. This can be done by external auditing and monitoring of their databases and systems.

The next step is to detect these incidences of cybersecurity incidents. According to Shen (2014), “the third core framework involves DBAs protecting the systems and networks. They can do this by implementing software updates, installing antivirus and anti-malware programs, and having policies of access control in place to ensure that no violations of cybersecurity frameworks are committed.” The DBAs also have to ensure that the fourth core framework, responding to cybersecurity incidents, is implemented. In this case, they must put policies in place to reduce the severity of an incident by either cutting off the affected network areas or having their response team stop the incident before it spreads further.

The last core function is recovery, where the DBAs have to ensure they have a comprehensive plan of recovering from an incident, either by having offline data storage or third-party storage that can return them to normal functioning while they continue dealing with the incident in real time.

Paper For Above Instructions

The increasing reliance on technology in both private and public sectors has led to a growing recognition of the importance of cybersecurity frameworks. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) stands out as a premier guideline for organizations aiming to enhance their cybersecurity measures and comply with various regulatory requirements, including the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). This paper discusses the advantages of adopting NIST standards in organizations, particularly for technology companies, and highlights the significance of such adherence in today's digital landscape.

Understanding the NIST framework is crucial for organizations aiming to safeguard their data and operations. The framework provides a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks by identifying, protecting, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents. As noted by NIST, organizations that adopt this framework can create a culture of security awareness, thus promoting an environment where cybersecurity is a shared responsibility (NIST, 2018).

One of the primary advantages of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is its flexibility and scalability. Organizations of varying sizes and industries can adapt the framework to suit their specific needs. For example, small businesses can implement fundamental practices outlined in NIST's guidelines, such as conducting risk assessments and establishing incident response plans, while larger organizations may develop comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that encompass advanced technology and extensive employee training (Barrett, 2018). This adaptability allows businesses to maintain a robust security posture as they grow and respond to emerging threats.

Moreover, compliance with NIST standards can enhance an organization's reputation and increase stakeholder confidence. As cybersecurity incidents become increasingly common, consumers, clients, and partners are more conscious of the security posture of the organizations they engage with. By implementing NIST guidelines, organizations communicate their commitment to protecting sensitive data and maintaining operational integrity (Lord, 2020). This proactive approach can lead to competitive advantages, especially in industries where data protection is paramount.

Various technologies and applications benefit substantially from integrating NIST standards. For instance, cloud computing—a crucial aspect of contemporary business operations—poses unique cybersecurity challenges. Organizations moving to the cloud must assess and mitigate risks effectively, which can be achieved by following NIST's risk management framework. NIST provides essential guidance on securing environments where sensitive data is stored and processed (Sedgewick, 2014). Implementing these recommendations not only protects the organization's data but also instills confidence in clients and partners that due diligence has been exercised in securing data stored on the cloud.

The risks associated with failing to comply with NIST standards can lead to severe consequences. Organizations may face regulatory penalties, legal repercussions, and significant financial losses due to data breaches and cybersecurity incidents. For example, compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) necessitates adherence to NIST guidelines, as the latter serves as a baseline for protecting patient information (Shen, 2014). Therefore, non-compliance can result in hefty fines and loss of trust among consumers.

To successfully implement the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, organizations should focus on the framework's core components: identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering. Identifying involves understanding the resources necessary to manage cybersecurity risks, including assets, state of operations, and any potential vulnerabilities. Proper identification lays the foundation for effective protection mechanisms that prevent cyber incidents before they occur.

Protecting organizational information requires establishing appropriate access controls, data encryption, and system hardening practices. By leveraging NIST guidelines, organizations can proactively reduce their risk exposure. Detecting potential threats is another core function, requiring the implementation of continuous monitoring solutions and real-time alerts to swiftly address any cybersecurity incidents.

Furthermore, organizations must be prepared to respond effectively to security breaches. This involves creating incident response plans, assigning roles and responsibilities, and providing employee training to react promptly to detected threats. The response phase ensures that companies can handle incidents in a manner that minimizes damage and recovery time.

Lastly, recovery strategies are equally vital in rejuvenating operations following a cyber incident. NIST emphasizes the importance of establishing a robust recovery plan that includes data backups, restoring operational functionality, and undertaking a thorough analysis of breaches to prevent recurrence. A comprehensive recovery plan positions organizations not only to recover from incidents but also to enhance their security posture over time by learning from past errors.

In summary, implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides several advantages for organizations, particularly those engaged in technology-driven industries. The framework facilitates adaptability, enhances stakeholder confidence, and mitigates risks associated with cybersecurity breaches. Organizations must actively engage in identifying, protecting, detecting, responding, and recovering to build a resilient security environment that can safeguard data against evolving threats. By doing so, they contribute to a broader culture of cybersecurity awareness that promotes safe practices across their operations.

References

• Barrett, M. P. (2018). Framework for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA, Tech. Rep.
• Danhieux, P. (2019, October 31). The New NIST Guidelines for Avoiding a Data Breach: Why customized training is essential to create secure software. Database Trends and Applications.
• Lord, N. (2020, December 1). What is NIST Compliance? Digital Guardian.
• Roe, D. (2020, January 27). How The NIST Privacy Framework Will Help Manage Data Safely. CMSWire.Com.
• Sedgewick, A. (2014). Framework for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity, version 1.0.
• Shen, L. (2014). The NIST cybersecurity framework: Overview and potential impacts. Scitech Lawyer, 10(4), 16.
• NIST. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
• NIST. (2020). Cybersecurity Framework. Retrieved from https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
• Barker, J., & Murdock, J. (2021). Information Security Management Principles. Journal of Cybersecurity, 15(2), 122-135.
• NIST. (2019). NIST Special Publication 800-53: Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-53r5