Cybersecurity definition
What is NIST CSF?
NIST CSF stands for National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework.
By Cyber Tool Stack Editorial TeamUpdated
Definition
A widely adopted, voluntary framework that organizes cybersecurity activity into functions — Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover — used as a common structure for building or assessing a security program.
Where NIST CSF fits in the security landscape
These beginner lessons use this term while explaining the surrounding security control.
Related cybersecurity terms
CIS ControlsA prioritized, practical set of safeguards published by the Center for Internet Security, grouped into implementation groups by organizational maturity — often used as a concrete starting checklist alongside a broader framework like NIST CSF.GRCGovernance, Risk, and ComplianceThe combined discipline of setting policy (governance), identifying and managing what could go wrong (risk), and proving adherence to laws and standards (compliance) — usually the umbrella term for the programs and tools that manage all three together.