Comparison between NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and ASD Essential 8
Overview
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and the Australian Signals Directorate's (ASD) Essential 8 are two comprehensive frameworks for organizations to use in order to protect their networks and data from cyber threats. The CSF is a risk-based approach to cybersecurity that provides organizations with a flexible set of guidance and best practices for building and maintaining a secure environment. The Essential 8 is a more prescriptive approach that focuses on eight specific strategies for mitigating the most common cyber threats. Both frameworks provide organizations with the necessary tools to protect their data and networks, but the CSF is more flexible and adaptive, while the Essential 8 is more prescriptive and focused.
Contents
What is NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)?
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a voluntary, risk-based approach to managing cybersecurity risk. Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the CSF provides a common language and structure for organizations to identify, assess, manage, and communicate their cybersecurity risk. The framework is designed to help organizations of all sizes identify, prioritize, and manage their cybersecurity risks in line with their organizational goals. The framework consists of five core functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover) and associated categories and subcategories that provide a comprehensive set of activities and best practices for managing cybersecurity risk. The framework also includes guidance on how to measure an organization's cybersecurity risk and provides a common language for organizations to communicate their risk to stakeholders. The CSF is designed to be flexible, allowing organizations to tailor their approach to managing cybersecurity risk based on their unique risk profile and organizational goals.
What is ASD Essential 8?
The ASD Essential 8 is a set of eight security measures developed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to help organizations protect their networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. It is intended to be a basic set of security practices that all organizations should implement in order to protect their assets from malicious actors. The Essential 8 consists of the following measures: Application Whitelisting, Patching Applications, Patching Operating Systems, Configuring Microsoft Office Macro Settings, Restricting Administrative Privileges, User Application Hardening, Multi-Factor Authentication, and Daily Backups. Each of these measures is designed to reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack by reducing the attack surface and making it more difficult for malicious actors to gain access to an organization's systems. Implementing the ASD Essential 8 is an important step in protecting an organization's digital assets and should be a priority for all organizations.
A Comparison Between NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and ASD Essential 8
1. Both frameworks focus on the prevention of cyber security threats.
2. Both frameworks emphasize the importance of risk management.
3. Both frameworks provide guidance on how to identify and address risks.
4. Both frameworks emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring and assessment.
5. Both frameworks emphasize the need for regular patching and updating of systems.
6. Both frameworks emphasize the need for user awareness and education.
7. Both frameworks emphasize the need for secure configuration of systems.
8. Both frameworks emphasize the need for secure authentication and authorization.
The Key Differences Between NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and ASD Essential 8
1. The NIST CSF is a voluntary framework that provides organizations with a risk-based approach to cybersecurity, while the ASD Essential 8 is a set of mandatory cyber security controls that all Australian government entities must implement.
2. The NIST CSF is focused on providing organizations with a comprehensive set of best practices and guidelines for managing their cybersecurity risk, while the ASD Essential 8 is focused on providing a set of specific, mandatory controls to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.
3. The NIST CSF is based on five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover, while the ASD Essential 8 is based on eight core strategies: Patching, Application Whitelisting, Application Control, Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges, User Rights Management, System Hardening, Multi-Factor Authentication, and Data Encryption.
4. The NIST CSF provides organizations with a risk-based approach to cybersecurity, while the ASD Essential 8 is a prescriptive set of controls that must be implemented.