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Frequently Asked Questions
Framework Basics
What is the Framework, and what is it designed to accomplish?
Is my organization required to use the Framework?
Does it provide a recommended checklist of what all organizations should do?
Framework Users
What critical infrastructure does the Framework address?
Does the Framework apply only to critical infrastructure companies?
Does the Framework benefit organizations that view their cybersecurity programs as already mature?
Framework Components
What is the Framework Core and how is it used?
What are Framework Profiles and how are they used?
What are Framework Implementation Tiers and how are they used?
Using the Framework
What is the difference between 'using', 'adopting', and 'implementing' the Framework?
Would the Framework have prevented recent highly publicized attacks?
Does the Framework address the cost and cost-effectiveness of cybersecurity risk management?
Small Business Use
Does the Framework apply to small businesses?
U.S. Federal Agency Use
Are U.S. Federal agencies required to apply the Framework to Federal information systems?
Can U.S. Federal agencies apply the Framework to Federal information systems?
Relationship Between the Framework and Other Approaches and Initiatives
What is the relationship between the Cybersecurity Framework and the NIST Privacy Framework?
Updates to the Cybersecurity Framework
Why is NIST deciding to update the Framework now?
How can I engage in the Framework update process?
Should I use CSF 1.1 or wait for CSF 2.0?
Informative References
What are Informative References?
What is the National Cybersecurity Online Informative References (OLIR) Program?
Why were Online Informative References necessary?
Communicating with NIST
Who can answer additional questions regarding the Framework?
How can I engage with NIST relative to the Cybersecurity Framework?