NIST Cyber Security Framework
The NIST Cyber Security Framework helps education establishments to manage and reduce potential cyber security risks.
The NIST Cyber Security Framework (CSF) offers schools, colleges, and universities a structured approach to managing and reducing cyber risks. It supports establishments to identify threats, safeguard data, detect incidents, respond to them, and recover from cyber-attacks as their frequency and complexity increase.
As sophisticated cyber-attacks increase, education establishments are finding it increasingly challenging to protect sensitive staff and pupil data. The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 highlighted that 52% of primary schools, 71% of secondary schools, and 86% of further education colleges had identified a breach or an attack in the past year. Alarmingly, 97% of higher education institutions had reported being affected. These statistics highlight the importance of implementing a strategic tool like the NIST CSF.
The NIST CSF is a set of guidelines and benchmarks that have been published by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. As an evolving framework, it is internationally considered the gold standard for building cyber resilience no matter your establishment's size. The NIST CSF has been created to be accessible to both experts and those with limited experience in the area. It offers users a framework for understanding, evaluating, prioritising, and communicating cyber security efforts, without prescribing specific actions. The framework also complements key educational standards like ISO 2700, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), Cyber Essentials, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
By partnering with Croft and applying the NIST CSF, your education establishment can enhance its cyber security policies and practices. Our partnership will help defend against cyber threats and will ensure your data and networks remain protected.
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More InformationBenefits of NIST Cyber Security Framework
Enhanced Cyber Security
The ability of your establishment to proactively manage and reduce cyber security risks will significantly improve with the adoption of the NIST CSF. As the threat landscape continues to evolve rapidly, the capacity to identify gaps in your cyber security has become critically important.
Improve Risk Management
The holistic approach of the framework will allow your establishment to recognise and focus on any potential cyber security risks. This means you can make an informed decision on where to allocate spending to improve the development of your security strategies.
Adherence to Regulatory Standards
The NIST CSF will support your education establishment to comply with legal and cyber security standards. By complementing key regulations, it will assist your compliance efforts and reduce the likelihood of cyber threats and legal issues.
Assurance of Stakeholders
Adopting the NIST CSF to strengthen your policies and network security showcases your dedication to protecting sensitive data. It clearly demonstrates to pupils, parents, staff, and governors your firm commitment to maintaining robust cyber defences.
The NIST Cyber Security Framework
As the foremost cyber security guidance, the NIST CSF features six comprehensive core functions. These functions help guide organisations towards the proactive management and prevention of cyber security risks.
The core functions include Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. They do not form a checklist of compliance but offer guidance that assists establishments to prioritise their cyber security risks.
By embracing the NIST CSF, your establishment can review its current security posture, identifying strengths and areas for development to defend itself against cybercrime and its devastating effects.
Govern
The Govern function sets and oversees cyber security strategy, roles, and policies to align with potential risks and the expectations of pupils, parents, staff, and governors.
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Identify
The Identify function helps understand assets, risks, and suppliers to prioritise your cyber security efforts and improve policies across all functions.
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Protect
The Protect function safeguards cyber security measures like access control, training, and data security to reduce cyber risks and strengthen system resilience.
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Detect
The Detect function identifies and analyses threats early, helping to spot attacks or issues quickly to support effective response and recovery.
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Respond
The Respond function manages detected cyber incidents through containment, analysis, reporting, and communication to reduce impact and support resolution.
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Recover
The Recover function restores affected assets and operations quickly, reducing impact and ensuring clear communication during the recovery process.
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