Recognizing the national and economic security of the United States depends on the reliable function of critical infrastructure, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 13636, Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, in February 2013. The Order directed NIST to work with stakeholders to develop a voluntary framework – based on existing standards, guidelines, and practices – for reducing cyber risks to critical infrastructure. The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 reinforced NIST’s EO 13636 role.

Created through collaboration between industry and government, the voluntary Framework consists of standards, guidelines, and practices to promote the protection of critical infrastructure. The prioritized, flexible, repeatable, and cost-effective approach of the Framework helps owners and operators of critical infrastructure to manage cybersecurity-related risk.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community C³ Voluntary Program helps critical infrastructure owners and operators align with existing resources to assist them in using the Cybersecurity Framework and managing their cyber risks.

The Cybersecurity Framework consists of three main components: the Core, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles.

The Framework Core provides a set of desired cybersecurity activities and outcomes using common language that is easy to understand.   The Core guides organizations in managing and reducing their cybersecurity risks in a way that complements an organization’s existing cybersecurity and risk management processes.

Cybersecurity Framework | NIST