Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)Cybersecurity FundamentalsMedium

A large enterprise is evaluating different security frameworks to improve its overall cybersecurity posture. They are particularly interested in a framework that provides a comprehensive set of guidelines and best practices for managing cybersecurity risk, organized into five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Which cybersecurity framework is being described?

  1. APCI DSS
  2. BGDPR
  3. CISO/IEC 27001
  4. DNIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is renowned for its structure around five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover, which directly matches the description provided in the scenario.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) focuses specifically on protecting credit card data.
  • B. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a data privacy regulation, not a cybersecurity framework with these specific functions.
  • C. ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), not defined by these five core functions.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

A voluntary framework for organizations to manage and reduce cybersecurity risk, composed of five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.

  • Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
  • Provides a common language for cybersecurity risk management.
  • Applicable across various sectors and organization sizes.
  • Aims to improve critical infrastructure cybersecurity.

Memory trick: NIST's core functions: I Protect Detect, Respond, Recover.

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