7 min read
Microsoft NCE- 2023 Updates
In early 2022, Microsoft launched a new format of license purchasing called the New Commerce Experience (NCE). As some...
Security is becoming more and more significant for organizations that conduct business online.
Despite this increase of data, many companies fail to implement the correct cybersecurity measures. These companies overlook the importance of achieving compliance with general standards and security regulations, creating problems in the long run.
As these companies become properly aligned with a standard of guidelines called NIST, they become able to bypass the issues of companies without NIST knowledge. Along with this, they will have a structure that operates in accordance with the set of standards around the world.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is responsible for establishing technology, standards, and metrics to be applied to the scientific and tech industries.
NIST was founded in 1901, in the United States, as a division of the Department of Commerce (DOC). NIST’s campus was originally located at the intersection of Connecticut Ave. and Van Ness in Washington, D.C.
As one of the oldest science labs in the country, it plays a crucial role in the operation of businesses in both the private and public sectors. The main purpose of NIST (and the reason for its creation) is to promote competition and innovation within an industry.
NIST compliance supports the smallest to the biggest and most complex of devices and hardware. This ranges from nanoscale devices to global communication networks. NIST focuses specifically on data security and cybersecurity.
NIST provides a set of guidelines on how to adequately protect data. With this framework, a company can accurately assess what security measures must be followed to guarantee that its data remains safe. NIST outlines this set of standards that provide a high degree of uniformity in the cybersecurity realm, which is critical to the success of any business.
Compliance is the act of adhering to the NIST guidelines. By doing this, organizations keep up their compliance standards even with the twists and turns of an evolving tech environment. This includes making changes as the business' vulnerabilities shift and as the cybersecurity landscape transforms.
Maintaining compliance is crucial to your company because it not only protects the data, but also the people whose lives are affected by the data.
NIST Compliance benefits your business of operations for the following reasons:
All business that is conducted with the United States government must comply with NIST. This includes agencies within the U.S. government, as well as businesses and individuals that the government may hire to perform work on projects.
In addition, those who might conduct government business in the future should comply as well. This removes a potential hurdle during the bidding process.
At times, NIST compliance may even be included in the contract you sign with a government agency. It is important to carefully read all contracts to see if NIST compliance is a requirement.
Along with this, a subcontractor who is hired by a company to perform work for the government should also make sure they are NIST-compliant. By doing this, they are in alignment with the company’s efforts to secure jobs.
The following are individuals who will be required to adhere to NIST guidelines:
If you would like more information on solutions for meeting compliance requirements within your organization, check out Our Ultimate Guide to the Microsoft Compliance Manager.
NIST standards are formed on the most up to date practices in the tech environment. The government suggests companies use them regularly. Among NIST’s guidelines, the most widely used is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF).
First launched in 2014, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a set of guidelines designed to assist in establishing cybersecurity strategies.
CSF identifies cybersecurity risks first. Upon identification, it details methods to reduce the severity of the risks.
According to the US Chamber of Commerce, "Among the sectoral associates are auto manufacturers, the chemical industry, gas industry, hotels, water works, communications, electrical distribution, financial services," and many others.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework outlines all the ways in which data needs to be protected to create a more secure organization. To ensure protection from malicious actors and code, this outline is followed.
It is composed of five steps:
Generally, if your business falls under any of these categories, you will be liable to follow NIST 800-171 guidelines:
NIST 800-171 is one of over 200 publications forming the CSF. It outlines the requirements that defense contractors must follow to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
The NIST 800-171 guidelines reviews a series of cybersecurity requirements your business is required to follow in order to qualify for specific Department of Defense (DOD) contracts. If a business fails to meet the NIST 800-171 security requirements, it will not be considered secure enough to handle delicate government information.
The objective of NIST 800-171 is to guarantee a baseline of cybersecurity is in place, which applies to all government contractors and organizations that manage sensitive federal data. If your business meets these standards, then you can be confident that you have a strong Security System Plan (SSP) in place.
Considering that NIST 800-171 makes up part of the framework for NIST CSF, there are key differences that set them apart.
The NIST 800-171 publication focuses on cybersecurity requirements that potential DOD contractors must meet to receive access to government contracts. Failure to meet the minimum-security standards outlined in this publication can result in the loss of contracts.
Specifically, the publication applies to non-federal information systems that either store or transmit controlled unclassified information (CUI). In contrast, CSF is a holistic cybersecurity framework. Meeting CSF requirements means your business will easily remain in compliance with other frameworks, like PCI, DSS, and SOX.
Lastly, NIST CSF is completely voluntary as opposed to NIST 800-171, which is mandatory if you would like your organization to be eligible for DoD contracts.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework Tiers help categorize your company's potential risks based on size and industry, along with analysis of the processes you use to mitigate risk.
As put by NIST, the four Tiers "describe an increasing degree of rigor and sophistication in cybersecurity risk management practices" (nvlpubs.nist.gov).
Let's take a closer look at the different Tiers. Which one does your organization identify with the most?
Tier 1 - Partial
Companies in Tier 1 are just beginning their cybersecurity journey. At this point, the organization most likely has informal practices in place, and there is little awareness among the employees and stakeholders about these data security practices. There is no formal cybersecurity coordination in the organization to combat potential breaches.
Tier 2 - Risk-Informed
Tier 2 organizations have started to formalize their cybersecurity efforts. You may have secured the seal of approval from management on processes and prioritization, but an organization-wide coordinated effort has yet to be launched.
Though adequate resources have been allocated to the efforts, they haven't quite gotten off the ground.
Tier 3 - Repeatable
If your company falls into the Repeatable Tier, you have established formal policies that define risk management, and you have implemented practices to address these cybersecurity risks.
Your company’s processes are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure you are prepared in case of a breach. You have earned buy-in from your entire organization, and you have regular, formalized coordination on putting cybersecurity best practices into action.
Tier 4 - Adaptive
These organizations have refined the adaptive approach to cybersecurity management. Their practices constantly adapt based on past experiences and future predictions. Cybersecurity best practices are ingrained in the organization’s culture, and all stakeholders are actively working toward better security outcomes.
NIST is not a dictatorial set of standards. There are many benefits available to all kinds of organizations, regardless of the type of business they conduct, that provide value in data security.
There are damaging consequences to not being compliant that can be detrimental to your business. On the other hand, your business will have a competitive advantage when complying with NIST standards.
Consequences of non-compliance with NIST standards are:
By getting aligned with NIST standards, it places your business way ahead of the competition. Companies want to know that they are dealing with a contractor or subcontractor that is authorized to protect their data.
If you can guarantee both NIST compliance and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) protection, and a competitor cannot, the bid will almost certainly go to you.
Check out our infographic on the "5 reasons why security compliance is important".
Nist Compliance is a simple addition to your company's network. Without knowing why NIST helps, your organization may face problems down the line.
To ensure your network is robust and effective, you can conduct an Information Security Gap Assessment to identify areas of weakness within your network security controls.
Datalink Networks helps your team conduct this analysis based on your industry-standard security framework, including NIST and many others. Our team of experts will evaluate your staff and IT process to assess your environment.
After this evaluation, the team will provide a strategic roadmap to accomplish all information security requirements and find the vulnerabilities within your IT security infrastructure.
Today's information gaps turn into tomorrow's perilous chasms. Please contact us today for a free security audit.
Mar 14, 2023by Andrew Wisdom
In early 2022, Microsoft launched a new format of license purchasing called the New Commerce Experience (NCE). As some...
Mar 8, 2023by Don Wisdom
Are you a healthcare provider who's considering moving your data to the cloud? With the many benefits of cloud...
Mar 2, 2023by Amanda Rindt
According to data from their latest report, Axonius recorded in May 2021 that 72% of organizations reported increasing...
Contact Datalink Networks