NIST-COBIT-2019 ISACA Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework using COBIT 2019 Questions and Answers

This COBIT task and activity corresponds to CSF Step 1: Prioritize and Scope, because it involves assessing the current state of the enterprise’s governance and management system, as well as its readiness and ability to adopt changes12. This task and activity is part of the COBIT 2019 implementation phase "Where are we now?"3, which aligns with the CSF step of identifying the business drivers, mission, objectives, and risk appetite of the organization4.

References: 1: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide 2: COBIT 2019 Implementation - ISACA 3: Connecting COBIT 2019 to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework - ISACA 4: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST

The CSF Implementation Tiers distinguish three fundamental dimensions of risk management to help enterprises evaluate their cybersecurity posture, which is the alignment of their cybersecurity activities and outcomes with their business objectives and risk appetite12. The Tiers range from Partial (Tier 1) to Adaptive (Tier 4) and describe the degree of rigor, integration, and collaboration of the organization’s cybersecurity risk management practices12.

References: 1: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST 2: Cybersecurity Framework FAQs Framework Components | NIST

This CSF step corresponds to the COBIT objective of knowledge and understanding of enterprise goals, because it involves identifying the business drivers, mission, objectives, and risk appetite of the organization, as well as the scope and boundaries of the cybersecurity program12. This step helps to ensure that the cybersecurity activities and outcomes are aligned with the enterprise goals and strategy34.

References: 1: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST 2: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019 | ISACA 3: COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation5 4: COBIT® 2019 Foundation | Skillsoft Global Knowledge6

One of the objectives of CSF Step 6 is to translate improvement opportunities into justifiable, contributing projects, which means to develop an action plan that addresses the gaps between the current and target profiles, and that aligns with the organization’s mission drivers, risk appetite, and resource constraints12.

ReferencesGetting Started with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A Quick Start Guide, page 8.NIST CSF: The seven-step cybersecurity framework process

The implementation status is the information that should be collected for a Current Profile, because it indicates the degree to which the cybersecurity outcomes defined by the CSF Subcategories are currently being achieved by the organization12. The implementation status can be expressed using a four-level scale: Not Performed, Partially Performed, Performed, and Informative References Not Applicable34.

References: 1: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST 2: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019 | ISACA 3: Framework Documents | NIST 4: REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTING THE NIST CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK USING COBIT 2019.

An important consideration when defining the roadmap in COBIT Implementation Phase 3 is the change-enablement implications, which refer to the potential impact of the proposed solutions on the people, culture, and behavior of the organization. This involves assessing the readiness and willingness of the stakeholders to adopt the changes, identifying the risks and barriers to change, and developing strategies to address them12.

References7 Phases in COBIT Implementation | COBIT Certification - SimplilearnCOBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation, page 31.

According to the COBIT Performance Management Rating Scale, a subcategory maturity level of 95% corresponds to the rating of Fully Achieved, which means that the outcome is achieved above 85%12. This indicates that the enterprise has a high degree of capability and maturity in the subcategory, and that the practices and activities are performed consistently and effectively34.

References: 1: Performance Management of Processes - Testprep Training Tutorials 2: COBIT 2019 and COBIT 5 Comparison - ISACA 3: COBIT 2019 Performance Management: Principles and Processes 4: Effective Capability and Maturity Assessment Using COBIT 2019 - ISACA

The seven high-level CSF steps generally align to the high-level phases of the COBIT 2019 implementation guide, which are: What are the drivers?; Where are we now?; Where do we want to be?; What needs to be done?; How do we get there?; Did we get there?; and How do we keep the momentum going?12. These phases provide a structured approach for implementing a governance system using COBIT 2019, and can be mapped to the CSF steps of Prioritize and Scope, Orient, Create a Current Profile, Conduct a Risk Assessment, Create a Target Profile, Determine, Analyze and Prioritize Gaps, and Implement Action Plan34.

References: 1: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide 2: COBIT 2019 Implementation - ISACA 3: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019 | ISACA 4: REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTING THE NIST CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK USING COBIT 2019.

This CSF step corresponds to the COBIT objective of knowledge and understanding of enterprise goals, because it involves identifying the business drivers, mission, objectives, and risk appetite of the organization, as well as the scope and boundaries of the cybersecurity program12. This step helps to ensure that the cybersecurity activities and outcomes are aligned with the enterprise goals and strategy34.

References: 1: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST 2: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019 | ISACA 3: COBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation 4: COBIT® 2019 Foundation | Skillsoft Global Knowledge

The COBIT implementation phase that directs the development of an action plan based on the outcomes described in the Target Profile is Phase 5 - How Do We Get There? This phase involves defining the detailed steps, resources, roles, and responsibilities for executing the implementation plan and achieving the desired outcomes12.

References7 Phases in COBIT Implementation | COBIT Certification - SimplilearnCOBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation, page 31.

The objective of COBIT Implementation Phase 3 is to set an improvement target and identify gaps and potential solutions using COBIT’s guidance. This involves creating a detailed business case and a high-level program plan for the implementation.

ReferencesCOBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation, page 31.7 Phases in COBIT Implementation | COBIT Certification - Simplilearn

According to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, gaps identified between the current and target profiles should be addressed through a risk-based approach, which enables an organization to gauge the resources needed and prioritize the mitigation of gaps in a cost-effective manner. This approach also aligns the cybersecurity program with the business objectives and risk appetite of the organization12.

ReferencesExamples of Framework Profiles | NISTWhat is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework? | IBM