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The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) helps organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. Initially introduced to support critical infrastructure, the CSF has evolved into a widely adopted tool across various sectors. Version 2.0 of the CSF introduces several enhancements, including expanded applicability, an improved user interface, and a greater emphasis on governance and supply chain security. A significant addition in CSF 2.0 is the concept of Community Profiles, which tailor cybersecurity practices to the needs of specific groups. This article explores the development, benefits, implementation, and challenges of Community Profiles.
Profiles are a specialized application of the NIST CSF, developed to address the unique cybersecurity requirements of specific communities. Unlike Organizational Profiles that focus on individual entities, Community Profiles are designed for broader groups.
“Some good entries for Community Profiles can be from like-minded industry sectors, sub-sectors, use cases, trade associations or government agencies,” said Nakia Grayson, IT Security Specialist at NIST and member of the NIST NCCoE. “It is really important when developing a Community Profile, that it is a group of organizations who are coming together with shared goals and the interest of reducing and managing cybersecurity risk.”
Community Profiles are essential for aligning cybersecurity practices with the specific needs and goals of a community, ensuring that the measures implemented are both relevant and effective. By fostering a tailored approach, these profiles promote collaboration, shared responsibility, and mutual support within the community, ultimately enhancing the overall resilience of its cybersecurity posture.
The development of Community Profiles is a collaborative process that involves several stages. Initially, the planning stage focuses on identifying the community’s needs, determining the scope of the Profile, and selecting participants for the development process.
The development stage involves stakeholders working together to align their shared priorities with the community’s cybersecurity needs. This stage includes defining desired cybersecurity outcomes based on the CSF Core and engaging the broader community for feedback to ensure the Profile’s applicability and relevance. The development process emphasizes collaboration and consensus-building within the community, ensuring that the Profile reflects a comprehensive understanding of the community’s needs and challenges.
Key stakeholders in the development of Community Profiles typically include business leaders, security architects, IT professionals, and representatives from various organizations within the community. Their collective expertise and perspectives are essential for creating a Profile that is both practical and effective.
“We encourage both cybersecurity experts and operational experts to participate in the development of Community Profiles,” said Julie Snyder, Principal Cybersecurity & Privacy Engineer and member of the NIST NCCoE. “Having both operational and cybersecurity experts involved in the process helps communities identify which cybersecurity outcomes and activities are most critical to their operational priorities.”
According to Synder, one of the earliest Community Profiles created was a collaboration between the U.S. Coast Guard and the NCCOE working on how to protect the Maritime Transportation System. Oil and natural gas organizations play a significant role in the Maritime Transportation System and were some of the key players in this effort.
“As an example of cybersecurity risk management discussions that Community Profiles can facilitate, consider communication needs at an oil and gas company. There are times headquarters, which is on the mainland, needs to share urgent information with an offshore drilling or production platform. This means security activities that protect communications channels are very important and elevated in priority in their Community Profile,” said Snyder.
By aligning cybersecurity practices with the specific needs of a community, Community Profiles improve communication and understanding within the community, fostering a shared language and approach to cybersecurity challenges. They also provide concrete examples of how tailored cybersecurity practices can address specific threats and vulnerabilities, offering a practical framework for organizations to follow.
Enhanced relevance and applicability of cybersecurity practices means that the implemented measures are more likely to effectively address the community’s specific risks and challenges. Improved communication within the community encourages a collaborative environment where organizations can share knowledge and resources.
Implementing Community Profiles involves several steps. First, organizations need to make the decision to adopt the Profiles and integrate them with their existing cybersecurity practices and frameworks. This process requires a clear understanding of the Profile’s guidelines and how they apply to the organization’s specific context.
Whether the organization adopting the Profile was involved in its development is irrelevant, besides the fact that those involved in the development will be a bit ahead of the curve when it comes to adoption.
“There’s a risk management decision of ‘How should we use this Community Profile, and how do we need to adapt it for us?’ Then it is up to each organization on how they use it.” said Snyder. “We see benefits for strategic planning, developing cybersecurity programs, allocating resources, like budget and staff, and for collaborating internally and externally.”
The integration process involves aligning the organization’s existing cybersecurity measures with the guidelines provided in the Community Profile. This may require adjustments to current practices and the adoption of new measures to address the specific needs outlined in the Profile.
Developing and implementing Community Profiles does not come without challenges. Community Profiles are challenging in that it takes discussion and effort to create one, but communities are often very willing to come together to do so. Even when these communities are not in perfect harmony, the conversation becomes more about adding another perspective and hearing each other’s input rather than a disagreement.
“One question I’ve heard several times with communities that are getting started is, ‘We see the value in this idea, but we are all competitors with each other. Can we really come together and do this?’” said Synder. “The answer is yes; you can do this. We have seen this in multiple industry sector spaces.”
Snyder says that communities are stronger when they address cybersecurity needs together. She encourages communities to shift their view of cybersecurity as a competitive advantage for organizations to a view of cooperation and collaboration across the community. There remain other key opportunities for competitive advantage beyond cybersecurity, such as quality of products, innovative technologies, or efficiency of processes.
Furthermore, maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of Community Profiles over time requires ongoing effort. Regular updates, informed by feedback and evolving threats, are essential to ensure that profiles continue to align with the community’s needs. Addressing these challenges requires a commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration among all stakeholders.
Community Profiles are a valuable addition to the NIST CSF 2.0, offering tailored cybersecurity frameworks that address the needs of specific groups. By enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of cybersecurity practices, improving communication within communities, and providing practical examples and guidelines, Community Profiles play a crucial role in strengthening cybersecurity across various sectors. As organizations and communities continue to adopt and implement these Profiles, they contribute to a more resilient and secure cybersecurity landscape. The ongoing efforts to develop, use, and maintain Community Profiles highlight the importance of collaboration and continuous improvement in addressing the evolving cybersecurity challenges.
For more information on Community Profiles and NIST CSF 2.0, visit the Framework Resource Center page, where you can find additional resources and guidance.
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