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Cybersecurity Framework, NIST CSF 2.0

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) Implementation

NIST CSF gives your organization a common language for managing cybersecurity risk. Waaqi helps you assess your current maturity, close priority gaps, and build a program aligned to NIST CSF 2.0.

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01Inside the workspace

Preloaded and ready on day one

Controls, evidence requests, and reporting views come configured, so your team starts on execution instead of setup.

  • Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover functions mapped
  • CSF categories and subcategories pre-loaded with assessment criteria
  • Cybersecurity risk register aligned to NIST SP 800-30
  • Current and target profile comparison with gap analysis
  • Integration with incident response and business continuity workflows
  • Executive dashboards for board and regulator reporting

What Is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework, published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is a voluntary framework that helps organizations understand, manage, and reduce cybersecurity risk. Unlike a certifiable standard, NIST CSF is outcome based, meaning it describes what a mature security program should achieve rather than prescribing specific technical controls.

NIST CSF 2.0, released in 2024, expanded the framework beyond critical infrastructure to explicitly serve organizations of every size and sector, and added a new Govern function to strengthen cybersecurity oversight and strategic decision making.

The Six Core Functions of NIST CSF 2.0

FunctionPurpose
GovernEstablish cybersecurity strategy, roles, policy, and risk management oversight.
IdentifyUnderstand assets, data, systems, and risks across the organization.
ProtectImplement safeguards such as access control, training, and data security.
DetectContinuously monitor systems to identify cybersecurity events.
RespondTake action when an incident is detected to contain and manage impact.
RecoverRestore capabilities and services impacted by a cybersecurity incident.

Why Implement NIST CSF

  • Common language: NIST CSF gives technical and business teams a shared vocabulary for discussing cybersecurity risk.
  • Flexible adoption: Organizations can tailor implementation tiers and profiles to their risk tolerance and resources.
  • Strong regulatory alignment: NIST CSF maps cleanly to ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and sector specific regulations, making it a useful backbone for a broader compliance program.
  • Executive visibility: The Govern function gives leadership and boards a structured way to oversee cybersecurity risk decisions.
  • Improved incident readiness: Dedicated Detect, Respond, and Recover functions strengthen resilience against ransomware and breaches.

Our NIST CSF Implementation Process

PhaseWhat Happens
1. Current profile assessmentEvaluate existing practices against all six NIST CSF functions.
2. Target profile definitionDefine the desired maturity tier based on business risk and objectives.
3. Gap analysisIdentify and prioritize gaps between current and target profiles.
4. Roadmap and remediationImplement controls, policies, and monitoring to close priority gaps.
5. Governance integrationEmbed NIST CSF into board reporting and risk management processes.
6. Continuous improvementReassess maturity on a recurring basis and adjust the target profile.
Typical timeline: Four to eight weeks for a baseline gap assessment, six months to a year for full program implementation.
02FAQ

Questions we get asked

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework, or NIST CSF, is a voluntary framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. It organizes activities into core functions that apply across industries and organization sizes.

NIST CSF 2.0 organizes cybersecurity activities into six functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Govern was added in version 2.0 to emphasize cybersecurity strategy, oversight, and risk management decisions.

NIST CSF is voluntary for most private sector organizations, though certain government contracts, critical infrastructure sectors, and regulatory frameworks reference or require alignment with the framework.

NIST CSF is a flexible, outcome based framework with no formal certification, while ISO 27001 is a certifiable management system standard audited by accredited bodies. Many organizations use NIST CSF to structure their program and pursue ISO 27001 or SOC 2 for external validation.

A baseline NIST CSF gap assessment and initial roadmap typically takes four to eight weeks, while full implementation across all six functions can take six months to a year depending on organizational size and current maturity.

See the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) Implementation in action

Book a session with our team and we will provision a sandbox tenant for your organisation with this workspace enabled.

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