NIST CSF 2.0: Big Miss

NIST CSF 2.0 disappoints, missing the opportunity to lead during times marked by challenges such as the SolarWinds incident. It continues the "checklist" pattern, overlooking business objectives and service consumer outcomes. While the governance domain is appreciated, it barely scratches the surface.

Visual and example-based enhancements fail to compensate for the lack of depth in tackling the real complexities faced by organizations or for not leveraging frontline cybersecurity insights. Passive voice further weakens its urgency, undermining proactive defense efforts and leadership's role.

Despite the NIST CSF team's expertise (and I will always defend them as experts, notwithstanding), there's a missed opportunity to create a framework that bridges regulatory guidance with actionable cybersecurity (e.g., MITRE Att&ck). This perpetuates a detached 'ivory tower' perception and blurs lines between the CSF and the RMF, complicating compliance and adaptation to evolving threats as AI and data science expand.

Future updates must pivot towards offering a more insightful, actionable framework that guides and inspires innovative cybersecurity, aligning with business objectives and improving service delivery.

What are your reactions? Do you agree? Or is there an insight that I've missed?

The opinions are the author's only and are not necessarily the position of any organizations he is currently or previously associated with.