Breaking Down the NIST CSF Function: Detect

In the past two blog posts, we've been diving into the framework functions. So far, we've covered the NIST Identify function and Protect function. Now, we move on to the third core function of the framework: Detect.

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The National Institute of Standards and Technology or NIST defines the framework core as "a set of cybersecurity activities, desired outcomes, and applicable references that are common across critical infrastructure sectors. The NIST CSF Core presents industry standards, guidelines, and practices in a manner that allows for communication of cybersecurity activities and outcomes across the organization from the executive level to the implementation/operations level".

The detect function requires that you develop and implement an appropriate risk management strategy to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event. Your strategy should include coordination with key internal and external stakeholders.

"The detect function enables timely discovery of cybersecurity events. Examples of outcome Categories within this Function include: Anomalies and Events; Security Continuous Monitoring; and Detection Processes".

• Anomalies & Events: Your program will detect unusual activity as soon as possible, and the impact of events is understood by everyone on your team and beyond.
• Security & Continuous Monitoring: You're monitoring your information system and environments at specified intervals to identify cyber events in your organization.
• Detection Processes: Procedures and processes for detection are put in place and tested in order to ensure timely and broad awareness of cyber events.

The detect function is a critical step to a robust cyber program - the faster you can detect a cybersecurity event, the faster you can mitigate the effects of it. Examples of how to accomplish steps towards a thorough detect function are as follows:

• Anomalies & Events: Prepare your team to have the knowledge to collect and analyze data from multiple points to detect an event.
• Security & Continuous Monitoring: Make your team able to monitor your assets 27/7 or consider involving an MSS to supplement.
• Detection Processes: Attempt to know about a breach as soon as possible and follow disclosure requirements as needed. Your program should be able to detect inappropriate access to your data as soon as possible.

Clearly, the detect function is one of the most important, as detecting a breach or event can be life or death for your business. There is no doubt that following these best practices and implementing these solutions will help you scale your program and mitigate cybersecurity risk with comprehensive risk management decisions. In our next blog post, we will explore the respond function.

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