What is NIST Cybersecurity Framework Training?

Why Get Credentialed as an Expert on the NIST CSF with Lead Implementer Certification?

In today's digital age, the rise of cyber threats has become a relentless and evolving challenge. Businesses and organizations across the globe grapple with safeguarding their digital assets against sophisticated cyber attacks. The complexity of these threats demands a robust and adaptive defense mechanism.

Without a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles and frameworks, organizations remain vulnerable to devastating cyberattacks. The consequences of such breaches are not just limited to financial losses, but also include legal repercussions, damage to reputation, and erosion of customer trust.

Enter the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Lead Implementer Training – a beacon of hope in this chaotic cyber landscape. Getting certified as an expert in the NIST CSF equips you with the knowledge and skills to not only understand, but also implement and manage a cybersecurity framework effectively. This certification is not just a badge of expertise; it's a vital tool in the arsenal of anyone serious about fortifying their or their organization's cyber defenses.

In this article, we'll explore what the NIST Cybersecurity Framework training entails, why it's essential for businesses to implement, and how becoming a certified expert can be a game-changer in your business’ cybersecurity career.

What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework is an extensive set of guidelines and best practices for managing cybersecurity risk in private sector organizations. The current 5 Core Functions highlighted within the framework include:

Identify
Protect
Detect
Respond
Recover

A 6th Core Function, “Govern,” will be included in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 being released in early-mid 2024. Govern specifically emphasizes the important role that organizational leadership needs to play in the cybersecurity risk management, as cyber threats grow increasingly as a major risk.

While every business can benefit from implementing these best practices, all businesses that work directly with the U.S. government and handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) are required to meet NIST CSF standards according to Executive Order 14028.

What NIST Lead Implementer Training Program Does The Federal Government Recommend?

NIST and related federal agencies recommend NIST Cybersecurity Framework Lead Implementer Training for organizations to understand and effectively implement cybersecurity best practice.

The U.S. government consistently references Certified Information Security (CIS) as a go to authority in training on NIST CSF. See our in-person training sessions featured and recognized on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) and Department of Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure & Security Agency websites.

Let’s dive deeper into what the core functions of the framework are and why NIST CSF professional certification is essential for keeping your business’ data secure. And if you’re specifically interested in more details on how training works, keep reading down below.

Why is the NIST CSF Considered the Cybersecurity Framework Standard in the US (and Globally)?

As explained by the FTC, “The NIST Cybersecurity Framework helps businesses of all sizes better understand, manage, and reduce their cybersecurity risk and protect their networks and data.” While it was crafted for US businesses to utilize, it is commonly considered the international standard and used by private sector organizations internationally. The extensive framework offers insight into detecting as well as responding to cyber breaches.

By receiving specialized NIST CSF Lead Implementer training, you and/or your IT team will be qualified to be both proactive about preventing cyber attacks, and effectively reactive if a hack occurs.

The current 5 Core Functions of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (commonly abbreviated as NIST CSF) include:

1. Identify

As explained from NIST directly: “Develop the organizational understanding to manage cybersecurity risk to systems, assets, data, and capabilities.”

In order to proactively fend off cyber attacks, a business’ tech leaders need to contextually consider which data assets could be considered valuable to a nefarious hacker. Additionally, all technical infrastructure that supports critical functions needs to be evaluated for potential cybersecurity risks.

How Does NIST CSF Certification Help With Identification of Cyber Threats?

CIS’ NIST CSF Lead Implementer training offers specific insight into the types of assets hackers may find valuable, and the common technical infrastructure utilized to breach businesses, allowing your organization to effectively build a risk management game plan.

2. Protect

“Develop and implement the appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical infrastructure services.”

Now that you’ve effectively determined the types of tech infrastructure that pose the risk of being breached, it is time to put in the work to ensure that cyber attacks can be limited and contained.

Why Get Nist Cybersecurity Framework Training on Protection?

In addition to receiving education on the commonly breached types of IT infrastructure, NIST Cybersecurity Framework training from Certified Information Security (CIS) provides a deep dive into how this infrastructure is commonly breached and ways you can mitigate these threats.

3. Detect

“Develop and implement the appropriate activities to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event.”

Regardless of how proactive you are, a data breach can still occur. Your organization needs proper education on how to discover a data breach quickly after it happens. If not, it could be months or more before you even realize your critical data has been/continues to be being stolen.

A key component of NIST CSF certification is recognizing the signs that a cybersecurity event has occurred.

4. Respond

“Develop and implement the appropriate activities to take action regarding a detected cybersecurity event.”

If you effectively determine that a breach did occur, your IT team needs the proper protocol to effectively respond. NIST training provides education on “Response Planning; Communications; Analysis; Mitigation; and Improvements,” so that you know which government entities you need to reach out to, what lessons you can take away and implement from this breach, and more.

5. Recover

“Develop and implement the appropriate activities to maintain plans for resilience and to restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity event.”

And remember, the new “Govern” Function will be included as the additional new first function of NIST CSF 2.0 when it’s released.

Senior management and leadership are responsible for cybersecurity program initiation, oversight, and assurance!

Now that you’ve taken the time to assess the cybersecurity event and better understand what happened, your tech team needs to take action to restore essential systems that directly impact your day-to-day operations that were hindered as a result of the breach.

What is NIST CSF Training?

NIST Cybersecurity Framework training is an extensive course that breaks down the private sector cybersecurity best practices in detail for businesses to apply into their own IT workflows and infrastructure. Upon completion of the course and passing of the test from CIS Lead Implementer Training, your team will receive official NIST CSF certification.

As NIST’s framework is ever-evolving as new cyber threats arise, Certified Information Security is frequently updating the course to match the current cybersecurity standards laid out by the U.S. government. NIST CSF courses are available in-person around the globe as well as via self-study in a convenient and budget-friendly online on-demand format.

Why Get NIST Cybersecurity Framework Lead Implementer Certified?

For Businesses

While your team can and should read over the NIST CSF on its own, the framework document alone is typically not enough to effectively and fully implement the Core Functions in-house.

NIST CSF training equips professionals with a thorough understanding of comprehensive cybersecurity practices, enhancing their ability to secure and protect organizations' digital infrastructure. Align your security strategies with the widely respected and effective framework to improve overall cybersecurity posture and resilience against cyber threats.

By establishing and documenting its cybersecurity maturity and management in conformance with the globally recognized NIST Cybersecurity Framework, your organization also is demonstrating a commitment to industry-recognized standards, potentially increasing employability and professional credibility in the field of cybersecurity.

Get your team started with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Lead Implementer Certification Program today to get them educated on the cybersecurity best practices.

For Individuals

For professionals pursuing or developing a career in cybersecurity, NIST Lead Implementer professional certification is a fantastic learning opportunity to truly understand the current best practices in cybersecurity. It also looks great to prospective employers that are eager to keep their data secure.

Individuals can receive Professional Certification to better understand the cybersecurity best practices and use it as a major-selling point to employers looking to abide by NIST standards.

Why Choose CIS for Your NIST Cybersecurity Framework Training and Professional Certification?

Certified Information Security was founded in 1999 in the United States, and has provided world-class management training on compliance best practices for 25+ years.

Our team has proven experience training and implementing cybersecurity best practices like NIST CSF, to provide a comprehensive education to those that are eager to protect their business’ assets.

What Are the Steps to NIST CSF Lead Implementer Certification?

Certified Information Security offers a 3-day NIST cybersecurity framework course.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to become NIST CSF certified:

Become a member of CIS certification student body.
Sign up for an in-person or online on-demand self-study course through CIS.
In a live instructor-facilitated course, your registration for attendance includes:
- Class manual (complete hard copy of class presentation)
- 14 days of unlimited access to online practice exams for exam #CSF101
- Current-year membership in the CIS Body of Certified Professionals
Complete the course covering:
- the fundamentals and methodologies of managing and governing cybersecurity;
- extensive details on the necessities of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF);
- actionable steps for crafting an organization-specific framework, utilizing ISO 27110 to incorporate NIST CSF insights into a holistic ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS);
- pragmatic tips for executing cybersecurity management strategies;
- the knowledge needed to pass the NIST CSF certification exam, a prerequisite for obtaining the Certified NIST CSF Lead Implementer credential; and
- how to use the NIST CSF as a basis to develop the primary cybersecurity management policy.
Successfully pass the online certification exam #CSF101.
Complete and submit your NIST CSF LI certification application to the Certification Department at CIS.
You will receive professional certification as a NIST Cybersecurity Framework Lead Implementer.

How Much Does NIST Certification Cost?

Online self-study NIST training is currently available for $399.95 USD in a convenient and budget-friendly online on-demand format. Pricing for live instructor-led in-person on-location courses varies depending on the location, with the average price for an individual between $2000-$3,000 USD. Can’t travel? Join any live on-location session via ZOOM remote participation with full open mic and camera display! Organizations have the option to buy registration in bulk for multiple team members at a significant discount.

You can see our regularly updated NIST CSF Lead Implementer live training schedule here.

Get Certified to Effectively Implement Cybersecurity Best Practices

Don’t wait to get your organization educated and professionally certified on the best practices for keeping your private data secure, or for consulting its clients on how to secure against cybersecurity risks in accordance with NIST CSF best practices. Since NIST CSF is considered the international standard for managing cybersecurity risk, you and your organization will be recognized for excellence in cybersecurity risk governance and management.

Training on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework will allow your business to not only contextualize the in-depth practices outlined by NIST, but will get you certified to effectively implement the framework in your day-to-day operations.

To get started, schedule an in-person (on-location online or ZOOM video-conference) or online self-study training session with CIS.

NIST CSF Training FAQs

Why Get Training on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

If your organization is working with the U.S. government and handling sensitive materials, you’re obligated to meet NIST standards and receive the certification according to executive order 14028. But any business around the globe can benefit from NIST CSF certification, as it is considered the world standard on cybersecurity best practices and offers insight into reducing the risk of a breach from occurring and reacting effectively if one does occur.

Is Getting Professional NIST Certification Worth It?

Organizations around the world are rushing to deploy and manage cybersecurity in conformance with the standard that their stakeholders recognize and trust. To do this effectively, they need cybersecurity professionals who have successfully completed formal training, and whose expertise in NIST CSF has been independently validated and certified.

CIS’ NIST CSF training and Lead Implementer professional certification program will qualify you as a NIST CSF expert in high demand.

Related resources:

NIST Cybersecurity Framework Free Webinar (37 minutes)

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