Getting Started with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A Quick Start Guide

Published

August 6, 2021

Author(s)

Amy Mahn, Daniel Topper, Stephen Quinn, Jeffrey Marron

Abstract

This document intends to provide direction and guidance to those organizations – in any sector or community – seeking to improve cybersecurity risk management via utilization of the NIST Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (Cybersecurity Framework or the Framework). Cybersecurity is an important and amplifying component of an organization's overall risk management process. The Framework enables organizations – regardless of size, degree of cybersecurity risk, or cybersecurity sophistication – to apply the principles and best practices of risk management to improve security and resilience. Through implementation of the Framework, organizations can better identify, assess, and manage their cybersecurity risks in the context of their broader mission and business objectives.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 1271

Report Number

1271

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1271

Local Download

Keywords

cybersecurity framework, cybersecurity risk management, enterprise risk management (ERM), framework, framework functions.

Citation

Mahn, A. , Topper, D. , Quinn, S. and Marron, J. (2021), Getting Started with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A Quick Start Guide, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1271, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=932713 (Accessed October 23, 2025)