Identifying Critical Systems - STEPS
NIST CSF 2.0 doesn't directly specify a function to identify important systems. However, the Govern (GV) function establishes the foundation for a successful cybersecurity program, and it can guide you in implementing processes to identify your critical systems.
Here's how the Govern function of NIST CSF 2.0 can help you identify important systems in your organization:
GV.RA (Risk Assessment): This sub-category emphasizes performing enterprise-wide risk assessments to understand the cyber risks faced by your organization. You can prioritize which systems warrant heightened protection by identifying the data and systems most critical to your core operations and mission.
GV.RM (Risk Management Strategy): This sub-category focuses on developing a risk management plan considering your organization's risk tolerance and appetite. This plan should help you classify your systems based on their criticality and the potential impact of a security breach.
How to proceed:
Align with Business Goals: Begin by understanding your organization's overall business goals and objectives. This will help determine which systems are essential for achieving those goals.
Inventory Systems: Create a comprehensive inventory of all your information systems, including hardware, software, and applications. Categorize these systems based on their function and the data they store or process.
Business Impact Analysis (BIA): Conduct a BIA to assess the potential impact of a disruption or outage on each system. This analysis will help you classify systems based on their criticality. Critical systems are those that a disruption would severely impact your operations, reputation, or finances.
Risk Assessment: Leverage the GV.RA sub-category to perform a risk assessment on your critical systems. This assessment should consider threat likelihood, vulnerability existence, and potential impact in case of a breach.
By following these steps and using the guidance from the Govern function of NIST CSF 2.0, you can effectively identify your organization's most important systems and prioritize their cybersecurity measures.
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