NIST compliance refers to adherence to the cybersecurity standards and best practices established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Originating from a 2013 executive order, NIST’s primary goal is to enhance security across critical infrastructure. A key component, NIST Special Publication 800-53, provides a robust framework of cybersecurity and privacy controls applicable to both federal and private sectors.
What is NIST Compliance?
While NIST compliance is commonly associated with government agencies and contractors handling sensitive information, it is increasingly adopted by the private sector. Organizations see NIST compliance as a best practice to strengthen cybersecurity and manage risks effectively.
To ensure NIST compliance and enhance your organization’s cybersecurity posture, it is crucial to adopt various practices, policies, and tools. Sepio offers an effective solution that aligns with NIST cybersecurity framework (NIST CSF Compliance). Provides a risk-based approach to identify, assess, and prioritize cybersecurity risk management.
Key Areas Covered by NIST Compliance
- Risk Management Framework: NIST provides a structured approach for managing information security risk. This framework involves a continuous process of selecting, implementing, monitoring, and assessing security controls.
- Security Controls: NIST outlines a set of security controls that organizations can implement to safeguard their information systems. These controls cover areas such as access control, encryption, incident response, and system monitoring.
- Security and Privacy Frameworks: NIST provides frameworks and guidelines for both security and privacy. Including the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and the Privacy Framework. These frameworks help organizations manage and improve their cybersecurity and privacy programs.
- Authentication and Identity Management: NIST standards offer guidance on authentication practices and identity management. These standards ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive systems and data.
Addressing the Physical Layer for Enhanced Compliance
Traditional cybersecurity approaches often overlook the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model, resulting in incomplete visibility and leaving many devices unmonitored. Physical layer visibility is critical for organizations aiming for NIST CSF compliance because unmanaged or hidden devices can introduce severe risks. Sepio addresses this gap by delivering granular insight into all connected assets—IT, OT, and IoT—at the physical layer, including devices connected via USB and network interfaces.
By identifying both managed and unmanaged assets, Sepio’s solution ensures that organizations maintain a comprehensive asset inventory and detect vulnerabilities that other tools might miss. This approach is especially valuable for NIST compliance, as it meets the “Identify” function in the CSF by capturing every device that could pose a potential threat to cybersecurity.
How Sepio Facilitates NIST Compliance
Identify
Develop the organizational understanding to manage cybersecurity risk to systems, assets, data, and capabilities.
Sepio’s Asset Risk Management (ARM) platform detects and identifies all known and shadow IT, OT and IoT assets on a network, at any scale. By harnessing properties at the physical layer, Sepio generates an objective DNA profile and contextual Asset Risk Factor (ARF) score for every connected asset, regardless of its functionality and operability. The unique approach and patented algorithm mean Sepio is untainted by misleading profile perceptions or behavioral assumptions that deceive even the most robust cyber tools. With Sepio’s actionable visibility, enterprise security teams instantly know what needs attention and better understand their asset risk surface.
Protect
Develop and implement appropriate safeguards to ensure the delivery of critical services.
The Sepio platform controls asset risk by automatically enforcing specific hardware usage through predefined granular access controls, fortifying zero trust initiatives. This prevents unwanted and uncontrolled assets from gaining access to critical infrastructure. Sepio maintains asset visibility and verification through continuous monitoring to provide constant protection at any scale.
Detect
Develop and implement appropriate activities to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event.
Sepio detects behavioral changes and anomalies that could indicate a significant cybersecurity threat. The platform’s internal database provides up to date threat intelligence on known-to-be-vulnerable assets, further optimizing efficiency by allowing Sepio to discover emerging threats (data quality).
Respond
Develop and implement appropriate activities to take action regarding a detected cybersecurity incident.
Sepio alerts enterprises of high-medium-low risks to expedite time to resolution and prevent crises. When an asset breaches a pre-set rule or gets recognized as a known attack tool (hardware attack), Sepio instantly sends an alert and initiates a pre-emptive and automated mitigation process that blocks the device through third-party tools.
Recover
Develop and implement appropriate activities to maintain resilience plans and restore any capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity incident.
The Sepio platform logs and documents all events that occur on the network, thus providing information that can be utilized in post-event analysis to help improve and strengthen cybersecurity efforts.
Sepio’s Asset Visibility for NIST Compliance
Sepio’s platform offers layer 1 visibility to help organizations meet NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) controls. It accurately detects IT, OT, and IoT assets across USB and network interfaces, including managed, unmanaged, and hidden assets, for a comprehensive view of your infrastructure.
Through Sepio’s ARM platform, you can streamline NIST compliance, leveraging the framework’s core functions—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. This alignment with NIST offers a reliable, scalable approach to cybersecurity risk management. It enables you to protect critical assets and optimize resources.
Achieve NIST Compliance with Sepio’s Comprehensive Platform
Achieving NIST compliance is crucial in today’s cybersecurity landscape. Sepio’s Asset Risk Management solution enhances your compliance efforts, strengthens your cybersecurity posture, and protects sensitive information and critical assets. With Sepio’s Layer 1 visibility, manage risks effectively and improve resilience against cyber threats.
Sepio’s solution helps organizations fulfill NIST CSF controls, covering everything from Identify to Respond. By leveraging Layer 1 data, Sepio detects and identifies all IT, OT, and IoT assets. This includes hidden and unmanaged assets, which strengthens your security strategy.
For personalized guidance on strengthening NIST compliance or meeting standards like GDPR and CMMC, connect with Sepio’s cybersecurity specialists. Schedule a demo today to explore how Sepio can enhance your organization’s cybersecurity and compliance strategy!
