NIST framework: definition, key functions and tips for adopting it in cybersecurity
The NIST framework is now one of the global pillars of cybersecurity. It guides businesses in managing their digital risks and gives them a clear method for strengthening their security. Accessible even without technical expertise, it helps any organization to progress step by step and comply with regulations like NIS 2 or DORA.
The NIST framework (for National Institute of Standards and Technology) serves as a “compass” for building a solid cybersecurity strategy. It offers standards, guidelines and, above all, concrete practices to follow to help all businesses effectively protect their information and activities against risks modern.
This framework is not reserved for specialists: it offers a progressive method, integrating naturally with governance, risk management and compliance (GRC).
Whether you are a decision maker, IT manager or responsible for security, learning the basics of NIST helps you move forward step by step, prioritize your actions and make security an asset for your business. Using this framework really reduces vulnerabilities, facilitates compliance with regulations (such as NIS 2 or DORA) and sustainably strengthens the trust of your customers and partners.
NIST framework: definition and role in cybersecurity
The NIST framework was designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an American agency attached to the Department of Commerce. Its mission is to promote innovation, competitiveness and especially digital security.
Contrary to a mandatory standard, it does not dictate anything but offers voluntary guides, flexible and adaptable to all organizations. It is this flexibility that explains its global success in cybersecurity, well beyond the United States.
What is the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) for?
The Cybersecurity Framework (often referred to as CSF) from NIST facilitates the creation of a simple and gradual approach to managing digital risks. It is used to answer key questions: what are my weak spots? What can I put in place in concrete terms? How can I monitor my progress and improve over time? Let's find out in the rest of this article.
The NIST CSF is organized into three elements: the core of the framework, the implementation levels and the profiles. Together, they offer a practical road map for managing risks.
The 5 key functions of the NIST framework
The NIST framework is based on five essential functions. Together, they form a gradual approach that any organization — from small businesses to multinationals — can implement to strengthen its cybersecurity:
- Identify : identify your critical assets (people, data, data, applications, hardware) and assess the risks that weigh on your business.
- Protect : deploy appropriate protection measures, from employee awareness to technical solutions (access control, password management, system security).
- Detect : ensure continuous monitoring in order to quickly identify anomalies or incidents, using activity logs or automated tools.
- Respond : prepare clear procedures to react effectively: action plans, team coordination and crisis communication.
- Recover : organize the rapid resumption of activities after an incident (restoring data, restarting services), in order to limit the impacts and restore trust.
NIST framework: the 4 maturity levels (Tiers)
The NIST framework defines four maturity levels (or Third parties) that allow each organization to assess its cybersecurity progress. The aim is not to reach the highest level right away, but to move forward step by step towards greater resilience.
- Tier 1 — Initial (partial) : cybersecurity is based on informal practices, applied on an ad hoc basis, without real coordination.
- Tier 2 — Managed (informed) : The organization is beginning to structure its security practices, but their implementation remains uneven across teams.
- Tier 3 — Integrated (repeatable) : procedures are established, monitored regularly and adjusted according to changing needs and threats.
- Tier 4 — Optimized (adaptive) : cybersecurity is becoming a living process, with continuous improvement, systematic feedback and a proactive response to risks.
Profiles to manage your cyber risk management
A profile in the framework NIST makes it possible to take stock of the company's situation (current profile) and to define its objectives (target profile). This analysis makes it possible to build a clear road map in order to close the gaps.
Adopting the NIST framework does not mean complicating your processes. The challenge is above all to integrate risk management into the daily life of the company, beyond the technical dimension alone.
You are a CISO, compliance manager or Risk manager ? One platform like Egerie can help you apply the NIST framework in practice. Book a demo with our experts and receive concrete advice adapted to your sector of activity.
Additional standards and guides to the NIST framework that you should know
Beyond the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), the NIST offers detailed guides that help you move from theory to practice.
NIST SP 800-53: The Security Toolbox
This repository lists hundreds of controls covering system access, incident management and the protection of sensitive data. Initially designed for American agencies, it has become a international reference for all organizations that want to increase their security.
Frameworks to remain compliant (NIS 2, DORA...)
For many European companies, adopting the NIST framework is a compliance lever. Its principles facilitate the forecasting of the requirements of NIS 2 directive, or of the regulation DORA and other texts that require continuous and proportionate risk management. The CSF makes it possible to structure your governance and to provide Tangible evidence of your efforts.
To go further, consult our guide on Cyber Security GRC, which shows how to connect NIST to enterprise-wide risk management practices.
How do you implement the NIST framework in your organization?
Adopting the NIST framework does not mean transforming everything overnight! The main thing is to move forward step by step, methodically and regularly. Here are the main steps to follow:
1. Identify your critical assets
Not all systems are equally important. Start by identifying your critical data, applications, and services: this is where your efforts will have the most impact.
2. Map your flows and risks
Analyze how your data flows, who accesses it, and where the weak spots are. This overview helps you anticipate threats. To deepen this point, a risk analysis may be necessary.
3. Assess the current situation
Make an inventory of what has already been done: security policies, training, technical devices... This poses an objective observation, a solid basis for progress.
4. Set realistic goals
With management and teams, define your priorities: strengthen your backups, implement a continuity plan, improve access management... Choose achievable targets.
5. Build a prioritized action plan
Organize your actions according to the importance of the risks. Start with simple measures (raising awareness among teams, strengthening passwords), then scale up. Each step you take increases your resilience.
The benefits of the NIST framework for your business
The NIST framework provides immediate value to organizations that want to structure their cybersecurity:
- One Common language that facilitates collaboration between businesses, IT teams and management.
- One clear and progressive method to identify, prioritize and address concrete risks.
- The possibility of Focus your efforts on what's essential, without getting lost in technical complexity.
- One solid compliance foundation, which prepares you for regulations like NIS 2, DORA, or ISO 27001.
In summary, the NIST framework is not only a technical guide: it is a strategic lever for governance and trust for your business.
How does Egerie facilitate the adoption of the NIST framework?
Implementing cybersecurity shouldn't be a headache. With Egerie, you transform the NIST framework in concrete actions, adapted to your sector and your business challenges.
Simplified management for serene management
Map your critical resources, processes, and applications in just a few clicks. For example, a RSSI in a healthcare SME can visualize the patient data journey, identify vulnerabilities, and automatically generate a compliance map aligned with NIST.
Automated risk analyses
A risk manager in the industry can select the relevant frameworks (NIST SP 800-53, NIS CSC...), carry out an analysis of risks related to production or remote accesses, and instantly obtain scenarios and action plans.
Dashboards to convince management
View your current and target profiles in real time. Ideal for presenting to senior management your NIST compliance status and demonstrating to an auditor that you have your risks under control.
Ongoing compliance
Whether it is to prepare for certification, to anticipate the requirements of DORA or NIS 2, or to strengthen the trust of your customers, Egerie automatically adapts your action plans to the new obligations, without ever losing sight of your business priorities.
Want to see these benefits in action? Request your personalized demo now and det discover how Egerie simplifies the adoption of the NIST framework while transforming your cyber risk management.
NIST Framework FAQ
What is NIST and who is this framework for?
The NIST framework is a cybersecurity framework published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It helps organizations identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from threats. Essential because it is flexible and recognized, it structures risk management and facilitates compliance (NIS 2, DORA, ISO 27001).
Is NIST mandatory for French or European companies?
NIST is generally not mandatory for undertakings French or European, but it is a recognized international reference. By adopting its principles, you already meet most of the expectations of NIS 2 or DORA, while structuring your compliance process.
What is the difference between NIST CSF and standards like ISO 27001?
The NIST CSF offers a flexible and modular framework, focused on risk management and applicable in stages. ISO 27001 is a norm international structured around a certifiable management system. The two approaches are complementary and can be implemented together according to the needs of the organization.
Discover our Ebook to effortlessly comply with the ISO 27001 standard thanks to our Egerie platform.
What are the concrete benefits of a NIST approach for a company?
Adopting NIST helps:
- Structuring risk management and cyber governance,
- Anticipating regulatory expectations (NIS 2, DORA...),
- Prioritize security actions according to business risks,
- Facilitate communication between businesses, IT and management,
- Building trust with customers and partners.
Can you apply NIST without being a technical expert?
Yes! The NIST is designed as an educational guide, applicable even by profiles non-technical. Thanks to a platform like Egerie, which integrates NIST standards and automates analyses, it becomes accessible to all security managers and risk managers.
Where do you start to comply with NIST?
Start by formalizing the perimeter to be protected (data, applications, critical processes), carry out an initial risk map, then develop your profile current and target. With a tool like Egerie, all these steps are centralized and managed in a simple and methodical way.
