F

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance i

Foreword
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the 2014 Framework for Improving Critical
Infrastructure Cybersecurity (Framework) as a voluntary, risk-based set of standards and best practices to help
organizations of all sizes manage cybersecurity risks in any sector. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
recognizes that many sectors have a distinct set of existing tools and standards that can help implement the Framework’s
risk-based approach. With that in mind, we worked with our private sector partners and the Office of Cybersecurity and
Communications to develop this sector-specific Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance (hereafter
Implementation Guidance) to provide organization and structure to today’s multiple approaches to cybersecurity.

This Implementation Guidance aims to simplify the process for all organizations in the Critical Manufacturing Sector—
regardless of their size, cybersecurity risk, or current level of cybersecurity sophistication—to apply the principles and
best practices of risk management. Ultimately, the Framework and this Implementation Guidance are focused on helping
individual organizations reduce and better manage their cybersecurity risks, contributing to a more secure and resilient
sector overall.

The Department of Homeland Security appreciates the dedication and technical expertise of all members of the Critical
Manufacturing Sector Coordinating Council who participated in the development of this Implementation Guidance, as
well as all the inputs provided by public and private stakeholders.

Critical Manufacturing Sector organizations can use the Implementation Guidance to determine how best to implement
the Framework, which provides a repeatable process to identify and prioritize cybersecurity improvements and choose
investments that maximize the impact of each dollar spent. As you use the Implementation Guidance, I ask for your
continued feedback to update and improve the document and make it a robust and valuable guide for your sector partners
and peers.

I encourage your use of and reference to the NIST Framework and this Implementation Guidance as we work together to
improve the security and resilience of our Nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber and other attacks.

Caitlin Durkovich
Assistant Secretary
Office of Infrastructure Protection
National Protection and Programs Directorate
Department of Homeland Security

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance ii

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... iii
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
Framework Overview and Benefits ................................................................................................................ 2
Potential Benefits of Implementing the Framework ........................................................................................ 2
Framework Structure...................................................................................................................................... 3
Framework Core ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Implementation Tiers .................................................................................................................................. 6
Framework Profile ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Cybersecurity Tools and Resources to Support Framework Implementation ............................................ 7
Framework Mapping ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Framework Implementation ............................................................................................................................ 8
Step 1: Prioritize and Scope ........................................................................................................................... 9
Step 2: Orient ................................................................................................................................................. 9
Step 3: Create a Current Profile ................................................................................................................... 10
Step 4: Conduct a Risk Assessment ............................................................................................................ 11
Step 5: Create a Target Profile ..................................................................................................................... 11
Step 6: Determine, Analyze, and Prioritize Gaps.......................................................................................... 14
Step 7: Implement Action Plan ..................................................................................................................... 16
Enhancing Existing Sector Efforts ............................................................................................................... 17
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Appendix A: Notional Use-Case Study—Critical Manufacturing Organization A...................................... 19

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance iii

Introduction
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the voluntary Framework for Improving Critical
Infrastructure Cybersecurity in February 2014 to provide a common language that critical infrastructure organizations can
use to assess and manage their cybersecurity risk. Designed to complement, rather than replace, an organization’s risk
management process and cybersecurity program, the Framework enables an organization—regardless of its sector, size,
degree of risk, or cybersecurity sophistication—to apply the principles and effective practices of cyber risk management. 1
It recommends an approach that enables organizations to prioritize their cybersecurity decisions based on individual
business needs without additional regulatory requirements.

The Critical Manufacturing Sector embraces the flexibility the Framework offers. The U.S. Department of Homeland
Security (DHS), as the Sector-Specific Agency, worked with the Critical Manufacturing Sector Coordinating Council and
Government Coordinating Council to develop this Implementation Guidance. This guidance provides organizations with:

• Background on the Framework terminology, concepts, and benefits of its use;

• A mapping of existing cybersecurity tools and resources that can support Framework implementation; and
• Detailed Framework implementation steps tailored for owners and operators.

1
This document uses the term “organization” to describe an operational entity of any size that uses the same cybersecurity risk
management program across its various assets. This Implementation Guidance is designed for any organization—whether the
organization represents the entire enterprise or a process within an enterprise.
Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 1
Framework Overview and Benefits
To establish critical infrastructure cybersecurity as a national priority, President Obama signed Executive Order 13636:
Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (EO 13636) in February 2013. The Executive Order charged the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop the Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure
Cybersecurity and led DHS to develop the Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community (C³) Voluntary Program—which now
serves as a central repository for government and private sector tools and resources. The C3 Voluntary Program provides
critical infrastructure sectors; academia; and State, local, tribal, and territorial governments with businesses tools and
resources to use the Framework and enhance their cyber risk management practices. DHS, as the Critical Manufacturing
Sector-Specific Agency, is also a key source of cybersecurity information and tools for sector organizations.

The Framework is based on a collection of cybersecurity standards and industry best practices. The Framework:

• Provides guidance on risk management principles and best practices;

• Provides common language to address and manage cybersecurity risk;
• Outlines a structure for organizations to understand and apply cybersecurity risk management; and
• Identifies effective standards, guidelines, and practices to manage cybersecurity risk in a cost-effective manner
based on business needs.

The Framework broadly applies across all organizations, regardless of size, industry, or cybersecurity sophistication. The
Framework can help guide an organization in improving cybersecurity and thereby improve the security and resilience of
critical infrastructure. The Framework applies whether an organization has a mature risk management program and
processes, is developing a program or processes, or has no program or processes.

Potential Benefits of Implementing the Framework

Choosing to implement the Framework means that the organization wishes to take advantage of the benefits that the
Framework offers, and does not imply that an existing cybersecurity and risk management approach is ineffective or
needs to be replaced. Specifically, implementing the Framework provides a mechanism for an organization to:

• Assess and specifically describe its current and targeted cybersecurity posture.
• Identify gaps in its current programs and processes.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement using a continuous and repeatable process.
• Assess progress toward reaching its target cybersecurity posture.
• Demonstrate the organization’s alignment with the Framework’s nationally recognized best practices.
• Highlight any current practices that might surpass the Framework’s recommended practices.
• Communicate its cybersecurity posture in a common, recognized language to internal and external
stakeholders—including customers, regulators, investors, and policymakers.

NIST designed the Framework to provide a nationally recognized approach to cyber risk management using best practices
and proven processes. As more sectors and organizations implement the Framework, its approach will serve as an
accepted baseline for cybersecurity practices in critical infrastructure organizations. Early adoption of the Framework’s
principles may better position Critical Manufacturing Sector organizations to receive additional potential benefits in the
future:
• More attractive cybersecurity insurance coverage — As cyber risks grow, insurance agencies are developing
new and refined approaches to evaluate clients’ premiums based on their use of sound cybersecurity practices.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 2

 Insurance coverage may increasingly encourage or require the use of nationally recognized cyber risk
management processes. Framework implementation provides an additional, widely accepted means for an
organization to measure its cybersecurity posture and demonstrate continuous improvement.
• Prioritized funding or technical assistance — The Federal Government provides several hands-on tools that
will help an organization assess their current-state of cybersecurity practices and identify areas to grow their
cybersecurity resilience. Critical Manufacturing Sector organizations are encouraged to visit the US-CERT
Critical Infrastructure Community (C3) Voluntary Program Webpage for additional information related to both
facilitated and self-service risk assessment resources. The Federal government uses this assessment to help
organizations prioritize next steps, depending on their level of cybersecurity maturity. For example, the
government offers preparedness support, assessments, training of employees, and advice on best practices. Under
this incentive, the primary criteria for assistance would be criticality, security, and resilience gaps. Owners and
operators in need of incident response support will never be denied assistance based on cybersecurity maturity
and/or level of prior engagement with the use of the Framework.
• Demonstration of commitment to cybersecurity — The Framework does not protect any organization from
liability in the event of a cyber incident. However, implementation of the Framework provides an organization
with a mechanism to demonstrate its proven track record of implementing and continuously evaluating cyber risk
management practices appropriate for its individual risks.
• Government recognition — For interested organizations, DHS seeks to recognize those organizations and
sectors that use the Framework and participate in the C3 Voluntary Program, regardless of size and maturity level.
• Workforce development – Organizations that use the Framework will have a better understanding of the
technical capabilities their organization requires and, therefore, the skills required of their cyber workforce. A
more accurate understanding of these needs can guide activities such as recruiting, workforce design, and training
of existing personnel.

Framework Structure
The Framework uses three main components—Core Elements, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles—which enable an
organization to identify its cybersecurity practices, define the maturity of its cybersecurity approach, and profile its
current and target (or goal) cybersecurity posture. These three components help an organization examine its cybersecurity
activities in terms of individual organizational priorities.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 3

TABLE 1.—Framework Structure.

The Framework Structure

Core Implementation Tiers Profile

Five functions provide a

The profile represents
high-level, strategic overview Tiers provide context
the outcomes based on
of the lifecycle of an for how an organization
business needs that an
organization’s cybersecurity views cybersecurity risk
organization has
risk, and are further divided and their in-place
selected from the
into Categories and processes.
Framework Categories.
Subcategories.

Functions Tiers Profiles

1. Identify 1. Partial 1. Current Profile

2. Protect 2. Risk Informed 2. Target (Goal)
3. Detect 3. Repeatable Profile
4. Respond 4. Adaptive
5. Recover

Framework Core
The Framework Core uses four elements that enable stakeholder identification of cybersecurity focus areas:

1. Functions: The Core Functions are five areas on which organizations can focus their attention to develop a
strategic view of their cybersecurity postures. Although the Functions do not replace a risk management process,
they provide a concise way for senior executives and others to distill the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity
risk so they can assess how identified risks are managed and to see how their organizations align with existing
cybersecurity standards, guidelines, and practices. The five Functions are:
a. Identify—Lay the foundation for effective Framework use. The activities in the Identify Function include
systems, assets, data, capabilities, and other foundational elements that are critical to the organization.
b. Protect—Develop and identify appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical infrastructure services.
c. Detect—Identify and implement the tools to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity incident.
d. Respond—Use the tools and activities to support the containment of a cybersecurity event.
e. Recover—Bolster resilience and restore any capabilities or services impaired by the cybersecurity event.
2. Categories: The Framework subdivides Functions into Categories, which are activities or processes that support
identification, protection, detection, response, or recovery. In the Identify Function, for example, Categories
include Governance, Business Environment, and Asset Management.
3. Subcategories: Subcategories are the subcomponents of Categories and detail the specific outcomes of the
activity, tool, or approach used in the category.
4. Informative References: References are specific sections of standards, guidelines, and practices. References
provide a method to achieve the outcomes associated with each subcategory. The Framework identified several
national and international standards that organizations can use to achieve the outcomes in each Subcategory. This
Implementation Guidance identifies additional standards, tools, and resources that Critical Manufacturing Sector
organizations may use to achieve the outcomes of each Category and Subcategory.

Table 2 provides an overview and examples of the four Framework Core elements.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 4

TABLE 2.—Framework Core Structure.

Functions Categories Subcategories Informative References

Reference specific sections
Organize basic
Subdivide Functions into Divide further into specific of standards, guidelines,
cybersecurity activities at
groups of particular outcomes of technical and and practices that illustrate
their highest level and align
cybersecurity activities or management activities. a method to achieve the
with existing methodologies
programmatic needs. Expressed as results. outcomes of each
for incident management.
Subcategory.

Ex: Organizational communication Ex: NIST SP 800-53: AC-4, CA-3,

and data flows are mapped CA-9, PL-8, etc.
Asset Management Ex: Resources are prioritized Ex: NIST SP 800-53: CP-2, RA-2,
based on their classification, SA-14, etc.
criticality, and business value

IDENTIFY Business Environment

Governance

Risk Assessment

Risk Management Strategy

Access Control

Awareness and Training

Data Security
PROTECT Information Protection
Processes and Procedures
Maintenance

Protective Technology

Anomalies and Events

Security Continuous
DETECT
Monitoring

Detection Processes

Response Planning

Communications

RESPOND Analysis

Mitigation

Improvements

Recovery Planning

RECOVER Improvements

Communications

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 5

Implementation Tiers
The Framework Implementation Tiers outline how an organization views and handles cybersecurity risk and the processes
in place to handle that risk. Although Core elements do not directly correspond to specific Implementation Tiers, the Core
can inform an organization’s Tier determination. There are four Implementation Tiers, as shown in Figure 1.

FIGURE 1.—Framework Tiers.

Tier 1: Partial
Organizational cybersecurity risk management practices are not formalized, and risk is managed in an ad hoc and
sometimes reactive manner. There is limited awareness of cybersecurity risk at the organizational level, and an
organization-wide approach to managing cybersecurity risk has not been established.

Tier 2: Risk Informed

Risk management practices are approved by management but may not be established as organizational-wide policy.
There is an awareness of cybersecurity risk at the organizational level, but an organization-wide approach to
managing cybersecurity risk has not been established.

Tier 3: Repeatable
The organization’s risk management practices are formally approved and expressed as policy. There is an
organization-wide approach to manage cybersecurity risk.

Tier 4: Adaptive
The organization adapts its cybersecurity practices based on lessons learned and predictive indicators derived from
previous and current cybersecurity activities. There is an organization-wide approach to managing cybersecurity risk
that uses risk-informed policies, processes, and procedures to address potential cybersecurity events.

Framework Profile
The Framework Profile aligns to the Core Elements and establishes an organization’s cybersecurity state. The Profile can
represent an organization’s current cybersecurity posture or its target cybersecurity state. Organizations can compare their
present and goal cybersecurity posture, and identify the best course of action to reach that end state. Ultimately, Profiles
provide a mechanism to reduce cybersecurity risk with outcomes based on an organization’s business needs. This
Implementation Guidance will provide further instructions on how an organization can develop its Current and Target
Profile using the Framework’s seven-step implementation approach.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 6

Cybersecurity Tools and Resources to Support
Framework Implementation
The Framework’s Informative References 2 mapped a set of broad national and international cybersecurity standards to the
Framework Core, providing owners and operators with sample methods to achieve the cybersecurity outcomes described
by each Function, Category, and Subcategory. This section outlines additional existing cybersecurity tools, standards, and
approaches used within the Critical Manufacturing Sector and provides a mapping that may help Critical Manufacturing
Sector owners and operators identify additional tools and resources that can help them implement the Framework or
demonstrate how they are already applying Framework concepts.

TABLE 3.—Existing Critical Manufacturing Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Tools and Resources.

Name Summary Additional Information

This resource evaluates an organization’s CRR Information
Cyber Resilience Review
operational resilience and cybersecurity CRR NIST Framework
(CRR)
practices across 10 domains. Crosswalk
This tool guides users through a step-by-step
process to assess their control system and Assessment Program
Cyber Security Evaluation Overview
information technology network security
Tool (CSET)
practices against recognized industry CSET Fact Sheet
standards.
The MFFRST is a document published by the
The Metal Finishing Facility
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Metal Finishing Facility Risk
Risk Screening Tool
intended to act as a simple—but thorough— Screening Tool: Technical
(MFFRST): Technical
overview of the risks and mitigation factors Documentation and User's
Documentation and User's
associated with the management and oversight Guide
Guide
of facilities involved with metal finishing.
Systems Security
This NIST Special Publication incorporates Systems Security Engineering:
Engineering: An Integrated
systems security engineering principles An Integrated Approach to
Approach to Building
necessary to improve the resilience of an Building Trustworthy Resilient
Trustworthy Resilient
organization’s IT infrastructure. Systems
Systems

This ANSI standard focuses on the risks, Risk Assessment and Risk
operational limitations, and best practices Reduction - A Guideline to
American National Standards
associated with the use of machining Estimate, Evaluate, and Reduce
Institute (ANSI) B11.TR3-2000
equipment and other manufacturing-oriented Risks Associated with Machine
tools and environments. Tools

International Standards
Organization (ISO): This ISO technical report provides an extensive
Safety of Machinery/Risk overview of best practices for examining and Risk Assessment and Retail
Assessment/Practical analyzing risk in the context of machinery and Pack
Guidance and Examples of manufacturing environments.
Methods

2
References are specific sections of standards, guidelines, and practices. The Framework identified several national and international
standards that organizations can use to achieve the outcomes in each subcategory. See Framework Core for more information.
Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 7
Framework Mapping
The six existing cybersecurity tools and approaches in the Critical Manufacturing Sector, listed in Table 3, have been evaluated against the Functions, Categories,
and Subcategories of the Framework. To determine whether a tool or approach mapped to a particular Subcategory, the sector considered this key question: Can
the tool or approach help an organization further understand or address the particular Subcategory and achieve the associated outcome? The initial
mapping shown in Table 4 is a first attempt at aligning existing tools and approaches to the Framework using open-source research. In some cases, access to the
tools and approaches was not available via open-source research, so fact sheets and program descriptions were used to hypothesize where tools and approaches
aligned. This mapping is designed to be altered in future versions by sector stakeholders with a solid understanding of the tools and approaches.

TABLE 4.—Critical Manufacturing Sector Framework Mapping Matrix.

Function Category Subcategory CRR CSET MFFRST ANSI ISO

ID.AM-1: Physical devices and systems within the
X X X X X
organization are inventoried

Asset Management (ID.AM): ID.AM-2: Software platforms and applications within the
X X
The data, personnel, devices, organization are inventoried
systems, and facilities that ID.AM-3: Organizational communication and data flows
enable the organization to X X X
are mapped
IDENTIFY achieve business purposes are
(ID) identified and managed ID.AM-4: External information systems are catalogued X X X
consistent with their relative ID.AM-5: Resources (e.g., hardware, devices, data, and
importance to business software) are prioritized based on their classification, X X X
objectives and the criticality, and business value
organization’s risk strategy.
ID.AM-6: Cybersecurity roles and responsibilities for the
entire workforce and third-party stakeholders (e.g., X X
suppliers, customers, partners) are established
ID.BE-1: The organization’s role in the supply chain is
X X X
identified and communicated
Business Environment
(ID.BE): The organization’s ID.BE-2: The organization’s place in critical infrastructure
X X
mission, objectives, and its industry sector is identified and communicated
stakeholders, and activities are
IDENTIFY ID.BE-3: Priorities for organizational mission, objectives,
understood and prioritized; this X X X X
(ID) and activities are established and communicated
information is used to inform
cybersecurity roles, ID.BE-4: Dependencies and critical functions for delivery
responsibilities, and risk X X X X
of critical services are established
management decisions.
ID.BE-5: Resilience requirements to support delivery of
X X X
critical services are established

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 1

 Function Category Subcategory CRR CSET MFFRST ANSI ISO
ID.GV-1: Organizational information security policy is
X X
Governance (ID.GV): The established
policies, procedures, and ID.GV-2: Information security roles and responsibilities
processes to manage and are coordinated and aligned with internal roles and X X
monitor the organization’s external partners
IDENTIFY
regulatory, legal, risk,
(ID) ID.GV-3: Legal and regulatory requirements regarding
environmental, and operational
requirements are understood cybersecurity, including privacy and civil liberties X X
and inform the management of obligations, are understood and managed
cybersecurity risk. ID.GV-4: Governance and risk management processes
X X
address cybersecurity risks
ID.RA-1: Asset vulnerabilities are identified and
X X X X
documented

Risk Assessment (ID.RA): ID.RA-2: Threat and vulnerability information is received

X X X
The organization understands from information sharing forums and sources
the cybersecurity risk to ID.RA-3: Threats, both internal and external, are
IDENTIFY organizational operations X X X X X
identified and documented
(ID) (including mission, functions,
image, or reputation), ID.RA-4: Potential business impacts and likelihoods are
X X X
organizational assets, and identified
individuals. ID.RA-5: Threats, vulnerabilities, likelihoods, and impacts
X X X X
are used to determine risk
ID.RA-6: Risk responses are identified and prioritized X X X
ID.RM-1: Risk management processes are established,
Risk Management Strategy X X X
managed, and agreed to by organizational stakeholders
(ID.RM): The organization’s
priorities, constraints, risk ID.RM-2: Organizational risk tolerance is determined and
IDENTIFY X X X X
tolerances, and assumptions clearly expressed
(ID)
are established and used to
ID.RM-3: The organization’s determination of risk
support operational risk
tolerance is informed by its role in critical infrastructure X X X X
decisions.
and sector-specific risk analysis

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 2

 Function Category Subcategory CRR CSET MFFRST ANSI ISO
PR.AC-1: Identities and credentials are managed for
X X X
authorized devices and users
PR.AC-2: Physical access to assets is managed and
Access Control (PR.AC): X X X X
protected
Access to assets and
PROTECT associated facilities is limited to PR.AC-3: Remote access is managed X X
(PR) authorized users, processes, or
PR.AC-4: Access permissions are managed,
devices, and to authorized
incorporating the principles of least privilege and X X
activities and transactions.
separation of duties
PR.AC-5: Network integrity is protected, incorporating
X X
network segregation where appropriate
Awareness and Training PR.AT-1: All users are informed and trained X X X X X
(PR.AT): The organization’s
PR.AT-2: Privileged users understand roles and
personnel and partners are X X X X
responsibilities
provided cybersecurity
awareness education and are PR.AT-3: Third-party stakeholders (e.g., suppliers,
PROTECT X X X
adequately trained to perform customers, partners) understand roles and responsibilities
(PR)
their information security-
PR.AT-4: Senior executives understand roles and
related duties and X X X
responsibilities consistent with responsibilities
related policies, procedures, PR.AT-5: Physical and information security personnel
and agreements. X X X
understand roles and responsibilities
PR.DS-1: Data-at-rest is protected X X
PR.DS-2: Data-in-transit is protected X X
PR.DS-3: Assets are formally managed throughout
Data Security (PR.DS): X X X
removal, transfers, and disposition
Information and records (data)
are managed consistent with PR.DS-4: Adequate capacity to ensure availability is
PROTECT X X
the organization’s risk strategy maintained
(PR)
to protect the confidentiality,
PR.DS-5: Protections against data leaks are implemented X X
integrity, and availability of
information. PR.DS-6: Integrity checking mechanisms are used to
X X
verify software, firmware, and information integrity
PR.DS-7: The development and testing environment(s)
X X
are separate from the production environment

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 3

 Function Category Subcategory CRR CSET MFFRST ANSI ISO
PR.IP-1: A baseline configuration of information
technology/industrial control systems is created and X X X
maintained
PR.IP-2: A System Development Life Cycle to manage
X X
systems is implemented
PR.IP-3: Configuration change control processes are in
X X
place

Information Protection PR.IP-4: Backups of information are conducted,

X X
Processes and Procedures maintained, and tested periodically
(PR.IP): Security policies (that PR.IP-5: Policy and regulations regarding the physical
address purpose, scope, roles, X X
operating environment for organizational assets are met
responsibilities, management
PROTECT commitment, and coordination PR.IP-6: Data is destroyed according to policy X X
(PR) among organizational entities), PR.IP-7: Protection processes are continuously improved X X
processes, and procedures are
maintained and used to PR.IP-8: Effectiveness of protection technologies is
X X
manage protection of shared with appropriate parties
information systems and PR.IP-9: Response plans (Incident Response and
assets. Business Continuity) and recovery plans (Incident
X X
Recovery and Disaster Recovery) are in place and
managed
PR.IP-10: Response and recovery plans are tested X X
PR.IP-11: Cybersecurity is included in human resources
X X
practices (e.g., deprovisioning, personnel screening)
PR.IP-12: A vulnerability management plan is developed
X X
and implemented

Maintenance (PR.MA): PR.MA-1: Maintenance and repair of organizational

Maintenance and repairs of assets is performed and logged in a timely manner, with X X X X
PROTECT industrial control and approved and controlled tools
(PR) information system components PR.MA-2: Remote maintenance of organizational assets
is performed consistent with is approved, logged, and performed in a manner that X X
policies and procedures. prevents unauthorized access

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 4

 Function Category Subcategory CRR CSET MFFRST ANSI ISO
PR.PT-1: Audit/log records are determined, documented,
Protective Technology X X
implemented, and reviewed in accordance with policy
(PR.PT): Technical security
solutions are managed to PR.PT-2: Removable media is protected, and its use
X X
PROTECT ensure the security and restricted according to policy
(PR) resilience of systems and PR.PT-3: Access to systems and assets is controlled,
assets, consistent with related X X
incorporating the principle of least functionality
policies, procedures, and
agreements. PR.PT-4: Critical Manufacturing and control networks are
X X
protected
DE.AE-1: A baseline of network operations and expected
data flows for users and systems is established and X X
managed
Anomalies and Events
DE.AE-2: Detected events are analyzed to understand
(DE.AE): Anomalous activity is X X
attack targets and methods
DETECT (DE) detected in a timely manner,
and the potential impact of DE.AE-3: Event data are aggregated and correlated from
X X
events is understood. multiple sources and sensors
DE.AE-4: Impact of events is determined X X
DE.AE-5: Incident alert thresholds are established X
DE.CM-1: The network is monitored to detect potential
X X
cybersecurity events
DE.CM-2: The physical environment is monitored to
X X
detect potential cybersecurity events
Security Continuous
Monitoring (DE.CM): The DE.CM-3: Personnel activity is monitored to detect
X X
information system and assets potential cybersecurity events
are monitored at discrete DE.CM-4: Malicious code is detected X X
DETECT (DE)
intervals to identify
cybersecurity events and verify DE.CM-5: Unauthorized mobile code is detected X X
the effectiveness of protective DE.CM-6: External service provider activity is monitored
measures. X X
to detect potential cybersecurity events
DE.CM-7: Monitoring for unauthorized personnel,
X X
connections, devices, and software is performed
DE.CM-8: Vulnerability scans are performed X X

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 5

 Function Category Subcategory CRR CSET MFFRST ANSI ISO
DE.DP-1: Roles and responsibilities for detection are well
X X X
defined to ensure accountability
Detection Processes DE.DP-2: Detection activities comply with all applicable
(DE.DP): Detection processes X X
requirements
and procedures are maintained
DETECT (DE) DE.DP-3: Detection processes are tested X X
and tested to ensure timely and
adequate awareness of
anomalous events. DE.DP-4: Event detection information is communicated to
X X
appropriate parties

DE.DP-5: Detection processes are continuously improved X X

Response Planning (RS.RP):
Response processes and
RESPOND procedures are executed and RS.RP-1: Response plan is executed during or after an
X X X
(RS) maintained to ensure timely event
response to detected
cybersecurity events.
RS.CO-1: Personnel know their roles and order of
X X X X
operations when a response is needed
RS.CO-2: Events are reported consistent with established
Critical Manufacturing X X X
criteria
(RS.CO): Response activities
are coordinated with internal RS.CO-3: Information is shared consistent with response
RESPOND X X X
and external stakeholders, as plans
(RS)
appropriate, to include external
RS.CO-4: Coordination with stakeholders occurs
support from law enforcement X X X
consistent with response plans
agencies.
RS.CO-5: Voluntary information sharing occurs with
external stakeholders to achieve broader cybersecurity X X X
situational awareness

RS.AN-1: Notifications from detection systems are

X X X
investigated
Analysis (RS.AN): Analysis is RS.AN-2: The impact of the incident is understood X X X
RESPOND conducted to ensure adequate
(RS) response and support recovery RS.AN-3: Forensics are performed X X
activities.
RS.AN-4: Incidents are categorized consistent with
X X X X
response plans

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 6

 Function Category Subcategory CRR CSET MFFRST ANSI ISO
Mitigation (RS.MI): Activities RS.MI-1: Incidents are contained X X X X
are performed to prevent
RESPOND RS.MI-2: Incidents are mitigated X X X X
expansion of an event, mitigate
(RS)
its effects, and eradicate the RS.MI-3: Newly identified vulnerabilities are mitigated or
X X X
incident. documented as accepted risks
Improvements (RS.IM):
Organizational response RS.IM-1: Response plans incorporate lessons learned X X X
RESPOND activities are improved by
(RS) incorporating lessons learned
from current and previous RS.IM-2: Response strategies are updated X X X
detection/response activities.
Recovery Planning (RC.RP):
Recovery processes and
procedures are executed and
RECOVER RC.RP-1: Recovery plan is executed during or after an
maintained to ensure timely X X X
(RC) event
restoration of systems or assets
affected by cybersecurity
events.

Improvements (RC.IM): RC.IM-1: Recovery plans incorporate lessons learned X X X

Recovery planning and
RECOVER
processes are improved by
(RC)
incorporating lessons learned
into future activities. RC.IM-2: Recovery strategies are updated X X X

Critical Manufacturing
(RC.CO): Restoration activities RC.CO-1: Public relations are managed X X X
are coordinated with internal
and external parties, such as
RECOVER coordinating centers, Internet RC.CO-2: Reputation after an event is repaired X X
(RC) Service Providers, owners of
attacking systems, victims,
other Computer Security RC.CO-3: Recovery activities are communicated to
Incident Response Teams internal stakeholders and executive and management X X
(CSIRTs), and vendors. teams

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 7

Framework Implementation
Implementing the Framework is largely a matter of translating elements of current risk management activities and
programs to the Framework Core and Implementation Tiers. For those organizations seeking to actively use the
Framework to build a cybersecurity risk management program, the Framework presents a seven-step process for
implementation (see Section 3.2 of the Framework document). An organization can use this approach with any
cybersecurity standard or tool for managing cybersecurity risk. The seven-step process is shown in Figure 2. The
approach can be an iterative process repeated to address the evolving risk environment.

FIGURE 2.—Implementation Steps and Key Activities.

Step 1: Prioritize and Scope

• Identifybusiness/mission objectives
and strategic priorities
• Describe cybersecurity risks
• Determine organizational
components to use Framework

Step 7: Implement Action Plan Step 2: Orient

• Implement necessary actions • Identifythe systems, assets,
• Monitorcybersecurity practices requirements, and risk management
against Target Profile approaches
• Determine how to evaluate current
risk management and cybersecurity
posture

Step 6: Determine, Analyze, and

Prioritize Gaps
Step 3: Create Current Profile
• Compare Current Profile and Target
• Mapcurrent cybersecurity and risk
Profile
• Determineresources to address management practices to a
gaps and create a prioritized Action Framework Implementation Tier
Plan

Step 5: Create a Target Profile Step 4: Conduct a Risk

• Describe desired cybersecurity Assessment
outcomes
• Identify cybersecurity risks
• Account for unique risks
• Evaluate and analyze risks
• Develop Target Profile
• Identify risks above tolerances
• Develop Target Implementation Tier

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 8

An organization may repeat the steps as needed to continuously assess and improve its cybersecurity. For instance,
organizations may find that more frequent repetition of Step 2: Orient improves the quality of risk assessments.
Furthermore, organizations may monitor progress through iterative updates to the Current Profile, subsequently
comparing the Current Profile to the Target Profile. Organizations may also use this process to align their cybersecurity
program with their desired Framework Implementation Tier.

Implementation should include a plan to communicate progress to appropriate stakeholders, such as senior management.
This process should integrate into an organization’s risk management program and provide feedback and validation to
previous steps. Validation and feedback provide a mechanism for process improvement and can increase the overall
effectiveness and efficiency of the process.

Step 1: Prioritize and Scope

When implementing the Framework, an organization first identifies its business or mission objectives and its strategic
priorities as they relate to cybersecurity. With this information, an organization can make decisions regarding
cybersecurity implementation and determine the breadth and scope of systems and assets that support its objectives. An
organization can adapt the Framework to support different business lines or processes, which may have different business
needs and associated risk tolerance.

Typical risk management processes includes a strategy that frames, assesses, responds to, and monitors risk. Larger
enterprises may already use a strategic-level approach to which the enterprise’s organizations subscribe. Whether an
organization uses a unique approach or that of a larger enterprise, the applicable strategy should describe the identified
cybersecurity risks that the organization considers when making investment and operational decisions.

Current threat and vulnerability information (e.g., information from important vendors, communication of Critical
Manufacturing Sector threats from an information sharing and analysis center, or other threat advisories) may also help
inform scoping decisions.

In order to gain familiarity and experience, an organization using the Framework for the first time may apply it to a small
subset of operations. For example, an organization may choose to begin with particular business functions because they
are already undergoing similar or related risk management efforts. Then, with a greater understanding, the organization
can apply the Framework to a broader subset of operations or to additional divisions of the organization.

Step 2: Orient
At this stage, an organization identifies the systems, assets, requirements, and risk management approaches that fall within
the scope of the effort. This includes current organization standards and best practices, as well as any additional items that
can enable the organization to achieve its critical infrastructure and business objectives for cybersecurity risk
management. The organization’s risk management program may have already identified and documented much of this
information. In general, organizations should focus initially on critical systems and assets and then expand into systems
and assets that are less critical or central to their mission.

Additionally, an organization should identify the approach to determine its current risk management and cybersecurity
posture. Organizations can use a variety of methods to identify their current cybersecurity posture and create a Current
Profile, including self-evaluations or facilitated approaches. In a self-evaluation, an organization may leverage its own
resources and expertise, whereas a facilitated approach relies on the expertise of a third party. The value in a self-
evaluation is the additional internal cybersecurity awareness and discovery that the activity can generate.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 9

Step 3: Create a Current Profile
The organization develops a Current Profile by indicating which Category and Subcategory outcomes from the
Framework Core are currently being achieved. The purpose of identifying a Current Profile is not only to develop a map
between organizational practices and Category and Subcategory outcomes, but also to help understand the extent to which
such practices achieve the outcomes outlined by the Framework. To identify the Current Profile, organizations use the
evaluation approach (e.g., self-evaluation or facilitated approach) identified in Step 2 to map current cybersecurity
approach and outcomes to the corresponding Category and Subcategory outcomes. In many cases, organizations may be
able to leverage existing efforts to facilitate this activity. For example, as a part of their risk assessment programs,
organizations may have addressed their current state through regular evaluations or internal audits.

The current Implementation Tier describes the degree of rigor and sophistication of the in-scope cybersecurity risk
management program (i.e., the Framework usage scope defined in Step 1). To identify the Implementation Tier, the
organization maps its current approach to the Implementation Tier descriptions in the Framework document.
Implementation Tiers do not apply to the individual Category and Subcategory outcomes in the Framework Core; the
organization identifies an Implementation Tier for the in-scope cybersecurity and risk management program as a whole.

Organizations may already be using tools, standards, and processes or complying with industry standards that closely
align with the Framework. Some industry and standards organizations have started to publish their own guidance to map
existing standards and tools to the Framework elements to facilitate implementation.

Table 5 provides an example of how a mapping can be used to create a Current Profile for a specific Subcategory outcome
(see Section PR.AC-3 of the Framework document) for three organizations using three different approaches. A similar
table could be built for Implementation Tiers, keeping in mind that Tiers are focused at broader program level risk
management. Note that the examples in these tables are intended to be illustrative of the mapping concept and are unlikely
to address any specific organization’s particular approach. The level of specificity and granularity required for a Profile to
be useful will be unique to each organization.

TABLE 5.—Connecting Organizational Approach to Framework.

Organization 1
Internal Controls Approach
Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current

• Dial-in access for vendor maintenance is enabled as required

and disabled when maintenance window completes
• Remote access only authorized via encrypted VPN service
PR.AC-3:
Access • Remote access activity logged and monitored
PROTECT Remote
Control • Access to VPN service restricted to organization-approved
(PR) access is
(PR.AC) devices
managed
• All unauthorized connection attempts to VPN are logged
• Immediate disabling of VPN account upon employee
termination

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 10

 Organization 2
Standards Based Approach
Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17
PR.AC-3: • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17 (1)
Access
PROTECT Remote • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17 (2)
Control
(PR) access is • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-19
(PR.AC)
managed
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-20
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-20 (1)
Organization 3
Exception Approach
Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current
PR.AC-3:
Access
PROTECT Remote • Not Applicable—No remote access available for in-scope
Control
(PR) access is assets and systems
(PR.AC)
managed

Even though the Framework gives organizations a broad overview of the cybersecurity and risk management domains, it
is not all-inclusive, and the organization may have already utilized standards, tools, methods, and guidelines that achieve
outcomes not defined by or referenced in the Framework. The Current Profile should identify these practices as well.
When appropriate, organizations should consider sharing these practices with NIST to help strengthen and expand the
Framework.

Step 4: Conduct a Risk Assessment

This assessment could be guided by the organization’s overall risk management process or previous risk assessment
activities. The organization analyzes the operational environment in order to discern the likelihood of a cybersecurity
event and the impact that the event could have on the organization. It is important that the organization incorporates
emerging risk, threat, and vulnerability data to facilitate a robust understanding of the likelihood and impact of
cybersecurity events. The results of cybersecurity risk assessment activities allow the organization to develop its Target
Profile and identify a Target Implementation Tier, which occurs in Step 5. For organizations that already have a risk
management program in place, this activity will be part of regular business practice, and necessary records and
information to make this determination may already exist.

Step 5: Create a Target Profile

In creating a Target Profile, organizations should consider:
• Current risk management practices;
• Current risk environment;
• Legal and regulatory requirements;
• Business and mission objectives; and
• Organizational constraints.

The Target Profile outlines the key Category and Subcategory outcomes and associated cybersecurity and risk
management standards, tools, methods, and guidelines that will protect against cybersecurity risks in proportion to the

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 11

risks facing organizational and critical infrastructure security objectives. As highlighted in Step 3, the Framework gives
organizations a broad overview of the cybersecurity and risk management domains, but is not all-inclusive. An
organization may find it necessary to use standards, tools, methods, and guidelines that achieve outcomes not defined by
the Framework. Including these practices in the Target Profile is also beneficial for coordination and future engagement.

Table 6 gives an overview of a hypothetical Target Profile for a specific Subcategory outcome (PR.AC-3) for three
organizations using three different approaches. The bold text in the Target Profile highlights where the organization has
identified additional practices it desires to use in order to successfully achieve an outcome based on its current risk
environment and business and critical infrastructure objectives. Organization 1 has determined that the existing practices
it uses for managing remote access are insufficient for addressing its unique risk environment and that additional practices
are required. Organization 2 arrives at the same conclusion and identifies additional standards it would like to deploy
across the in-scope organization. Organization 3 demonstrates an organization whose Current Profile is identical to the
Target Profile for this Subcategory outcome. Such instances will occur when the standards, tools, methods, and guidelines
currently deployed by the organization sufficiently fulfill its cybersecurity and risk management requirements. However,
this alignment of the Current Profile and Target Profile may only last over the short term since an organization’s
cybersecurity and risk management requirements will evolve as its risk and operational environments change over time.
For instance, an organization may determine that a current practice is no longer necessary or is inadequate and, therefore,
omit it from the Target Profile.

In developing a Target Profile, organizations may opt to use a broad approach—considering more effective and efficient
risk management approaches across the entire in-scope organizations—rather than examining individual Categories and
Subcategories.

In addition to the Target Profile, the organization selects a Target Implementation Tier that applies to the in-scope risk
management process. The organization examines each Tier and selects its target (the “desired” state) using the same list of
considerations above for the Target Profile. Once a Target Implementation Tier is selected, the organization identifies the
cybersecurity practices and risk management activities necessary to achieve that target—considering their ability to meet
organizational goals, feasibility to implement, and their ability to reduce cybersecurity risks to acceptable levels for
critical assets and resources (i.e., those most important to achieving the organization’s business and critical infrastructure
objectives).

Using its collection of cybersecurity and risk management standards, tools, methods, and guidelines, the organization
documents these desired outcomes in the Target Profile and Target Implementation Tier.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 12

TABLE 6.—Creating a Target Profile.

Organization 1
Internal Controls Approach
Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current Target
• Dial-in access for vendor • Dial-in access for vendor
maintenance is enabled as maintenance is enabled as
required and disabled when required and disabled when
maintenance window maintenance window completes
completes • Remote access only authorized via
• Remote access only encrypted VPN service
authorized via encrypted • Remote access activity logged and
VPN service monitored
Access PR.AC-3: • Remote access activity • Access to VPN service restricted
PROTECT
Control Remote access logged and monitored to organization approved devices
(PR)
(PR.AC) is managed • Access to VPN service • All unauthorized connection
restricted to organization attempts to VPN are logged
approved devices • Immediate disabling of VPN
• All unauthorized connection account upon employee
attempts to VPN are logged termination
• Immediate disabling of VPN • Supervisor signature required
account upon employee before VPN account issued
termination • Biannual review of authorized
VPN account list

Organization 2
Standards Based Approach
Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current Target
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17
17 • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17 (1)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17 (2)
17 (1) • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17 (3)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-17 (4)
Access PR.AC-3:
PROTECT 17 (2) • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-19
Control Remote access
(PR) • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-19 (5)
(PR.AC) is managed
19 • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-20
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-20 (1)
20 • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-20 (2)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-
20 (1)
Organization 3
Exception Approach
Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current Target
Access PR.AC-3: • Not Applicable—No remote • Not applicable—No remote access
PROTECT
Control Remote access access available for in- available for in-scope assets and
(PR)
(PR.AC) is managed scope assets and systems systems

Bold text highlights the differences between the current and target approaches.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 13

Step 6: Determine, Analyze, and Prioritize Gaps
The organization compares the Current Profile and the Target Profile to determine gaps. To address those gaps, it creates a
prioritized action plan that draws on mission drivers, a cost/benefit analysis, and an understanding of risk to achieve the
outcomes in the Target Profile. The organization then determines resources necessary to address the gaps. Using Profiles
in this manner enables the organization to make informed decisions about cybersecurity activities, supports risk
management, and allows the organization to perform cost-effective, targeted improvements. Table 7 provides an overview
of a hypothetical gap analysis for a specific Subcategory outcome (PR.AC-3) for three organizations using three different
approaches.

A gap exists when there is a desired Category or Subcategory outcome in the Target Profile or program characteristic in
the Target Implementation Tier that is not currently satisfied by current cybersecurity and risk management approaches, as
well as situations wherein existing practices do not achieve the outcome to the degree of satisfaction required by the
organization’s risk management strategy. After identifying gaps in both the Profile and Tier, the organization identifies
the potential consequences of failing to address such issues. At this point, the organization should assign a mitigation
priority to all identified gaps. Prioritization of gaps should include examination of existing risk management practices,
the current risk environment, legal and regulatory requirements, business and mission objectives, and any other
applicable organizational limitations or considerations.

Once each gap is assigned a mitigation priority, the organization determines potential mitigation efforts and performs a
cost-benefit analysis (CBA) on each option. The organization creates a plan of prioritized mitigation actions—based on
available resources, business needs, and current risk environment—to move from the existing state to the desired or target
state. If the organization is at its target state, it would seek to maintain its security posture in the face of ongoing changes
to the risk environment.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 14

TABLE 7.—Identifying Implementation Gaps.

Organization 1
Internal Controls Approach

Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current Target Gaps
• Dial-in access for • Dial-in access for • Supervisor
vendor maintenance is vendor maintenance is signature
enabled as required enabled as required required
and disabled when and disabled when before VPN
maintenance window maintenance window account
completes completes issued
• Remote access only • Remote access only • Biannual
authorized via authorized via review of
encrypted VPN service encrypted VPN service authorized
• Remote access activity • Remote access activity VPN account
logged and monitored logged and monitored list
• Access to VPN service • Access to VPN service
PR.AC-3: restricted to restricted to
Access
PROTECT Remote organization approved organization approved
Control
(PR) access is devices devices
(PR.AC)
managed • All unauthorized • All unauthorized
connection attempts to connection attempts to
VPN are logged VPN are logged
• Immediate disabling of • Immediate disabling of
VPN account upon VPN account upon
employee termination employee termination
• Supervisor signature
required before VPN
account issued
• Biannual review of
authorized VPN
account list

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 15

 Organization 2
Standards Based Approach

Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current Target Gaps
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP
4 AC-17 17 800-53
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- Rev 4 AC-
4 AC-17 (1) 17 (1) 17 (3)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP
4 AC-17 (2) 17 (2) 800-53
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- Rev 4 AC-
4 AC-19 17 (3) 17 (4)
PR.AC-3: • NIST SP 800-53 Rev • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP
Access
PROTECT Remote 4 AC-20 17 (4) 800-53
Control
(PR) access is • NIST SP 800-53 Rev • NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- Rev 4 AC-
(PR.AC)
managed 4 AC-20 (1) 19 19 (5)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- • NIST SP
19 (5) 800-53
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC- Rev 4 AC-
20 20 (2)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-
20 (1)
• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 4 AC-
20 (2)
Organization 3
Exception Approach

Profiles
Function Category Subcategory
Current Target Gaps
• Not Applicable— • Not Applicable—No remote • None
PR.AC-3:
Access No remote access access available for in-
PROTECT Remote
Control available for in- scope assets and systems
(PR) access is
(PR.AC) scope assets and
managed
systems

Step 7: Implement Action Plan

The organization determines which actions to take in regards to the gaps, if any, identified in the previous step, and then
monitors its current cybersecurity practices against the Target Profile. For further guidance, the Framework identifies
Informative References regarding the Categories and Subcategories. Organizations should determine which standards,
guidelines, and practices, including those that are sector-specific, work best for their needs.

An organization may repeat the steps as needed to continuously assess and improve its cybersecurity. For instance,
organizations may find that more frequent repetition of the orient step improves the quality of risk assessments.
Furthermore, organizations may monitor progress through iterative updates to the Current Profile, subsequently
comparing the Current Profile to the Target Profile. Organizations may also utilize this process to align their cybersecurity
program with their desired Framework Implementation Tier.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 16

Enhancing Existing Sector Efforts
This Implementation Guidance was developed to encourage sector-wide implementation of the Framework, which may
enhance the success of sector-specific cybersecurity programs and contribute to sector goals. Two key resources support
and inform sector-wide cybersecurity enhancements:

• Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community (C3) Voluntary Program: The C³ Voluntary Program provides the
central place to access existing cyber resilience resources from DHS and other government agencies. It is the
coordination point within the Federal government to promote use of the Framework and to assist organizations in
understanding its purpose and how it may apply to them.
• Critical Manufacturing Sector-Specific Plan: The Critical Manufacturing Sector-Specific Plan (SSP) is
designed to guide the sector’s efforts to improve security and resilience by identifying a set of public-private
goals, priorities, and activities for the sector.

Table 8 identifies how wide implementation of the Framework within the Critical Manufacturing Sector can help
implement sector-specific strategies and achieve sector goals.

TABLE 8.—How the Framework Addresses Critical Manufacturing Sector Priorities.

Sector How Framework Use Can Address the Sector

Sector Strategy
Approach Strategy

Goal 3 in the 2015 SSP is to “develop strategies to The Framework aims to reduce and better manage
reduce risks to Critical Manufacturing Sector cybersecurity risks in a “cost-effective way based
assets from human, physical, and cyber threats on business needs without placing additional
without hindering economic viability.” regulatory requirements on businesses.”

Priority E in the 2015 SSP, which directly supports The Framework and this Implementation Guidance
Goal 3 cited above, is to “improve Critical aim to equip sector stakeholders with tools and
Manufacturing Sector cybersecurity knowledge, information to secure critical assets.
tools, capabilities, and practices to secure critical
Critical cyber assets.”
Manufacturing
Sector- Priority D within the 2015 SSP is to encourage The Framework provides a common language to
Specific Plan stakeholders to work together to “characterize the communicate cybersecurity requirements among
(SSP) Critical Manufacturing Sector profile of cyber and various sector stakeholders. It also provides a
physical risks and raise risk awareness, recognized risk management methodology that
particularly at executive levels.” raises awareness among subject matter experts
and executives alike.

The 2015 SSP recognizes the importance of The Framework Core includes Subcategories that
collaboration among sector organizations to deal address threat and vulnerability information
with areas of shared risk and encourages sharing and voluntary information-sharing activities
stakeholders to strengthen structures and with external stakeholders to achieve broader
mechanisms for facilitating information sharing. situational awareness.

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 17

Conclusion
This document serves as a foundation for how Critical Manufacturing Sector organizations can leverage existing resources
to increase their overall cybersecurity awareness using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Specifically, the information
provided in this document can aid an organization to assess its current cybersecurity practices, identify tools that assist in
revealing gaps, and determine its cybersecurity goals. The C³ Voluntary Program is a compilation of various resources
organized by the five Core Functions of the Framework. For any questions related to this Implementation Guidance and/or
the C3 Voluntary Program, please e-mail [email protected].

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 18

Appendix A: Notional Use-Case Study—Critical
Manufacturing Organization A
Goal Level
Critical Manufacturing Organization A seeks to use the Framework with a strict interpretation of the Implementation
Guidance to improve its cybersecurity and risk management practices. The Framework is partially implemented, as
Organization A adheres to a range of requirements from Federal and State laws.

Primary Actor, Stakeholders, and Interests

Critical Manufacturing Organization A is a regional organization that operates three satellite locations with 300
employees. Stakeholders of the organization include employees, shareholders, and government regulators. Critical
Manufacturing Organization A is concerned with the resilience of its control systems. The security of the systems and
information are essential to maintaining reliable operations. These security programs must have strong board and senior
management level support, integration of security activities and controls throughout the organization's business processes,
and clear accountability for carrying out security responsibilities.

Current Condition
In order to understand the implementation of the Framework, Critical Manufacturing Organization A contacts the Critical
Manufacturing Sector Coordinating Council and the DHS C3 Voluntary Program for Framework guidance and assistance
with establishing connections with public and private sector organizations.

Critical Manufacturing Organization A assesses its current cybersecurity profile. The assessment shows that Critical
Manufacturing Organization A is only loosely aligned to the Framework’s Functions. As a result, the organization uses its
risk management process and adherence to numerous information security-focused regulations to create its target profile
that reflects the desired strict interpretation for each selected Framework category. The Target Profile is based on the
selection of the Functions, Categories, and Subcategories that are aligned with the organization’s business requirements,
risk tolerance, and resources.

Implementation
Critical Manufacturing Organization A follows the recommended steps on how an organization can use the Framework to
create a new cybersecurity program or improve an existing cybersecurity program.

• Step 1: Identify. Critical Manufacturing Organization A identifies its mission objectives, describes cybersecurity
risks, and determines which organizational components will use the Framework.
• Step 2: Orient. Critical Manufacturing Organization A identifies the systems, assets, requirements, and risk
management approaches and determines how to evaluate current risk management and cybersecurity posture.
• Step 3: Create a Current Profile. Beginning with the Categories specified in the Framework Core, Critical
Manufacturing Organization A develops a “Current Profile” that reflects its understanding of its present-day
cybersecurity activities.
• Step 4: Conduct a Risk Assessment. Critical Manufacturing Organization A analyzes the operational
environment and determines that a cyberattack against its cyber infrastructure is likely over the long term based
on the Cyber Information Sharing and Collaboration Program, which it connected with through the C3 Voluntary
Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 19
 Program. Based on its risk assessment, Critical Manufacturing Organization A identifies various vulnerabilities
and determines the consequence if those vulnerabilities are exploited.
• Step 5: Create a Target Profile. Critical Manufacturing Organization A creates a Target Profile that focuses on
the assessment of the Framework elements (e.g., Categories and Subcategories) describing the organization’s
desired cybersecurity outcomes.
• Step 6: Determine, Analyze, and Prioritize Gaps. Critical Manufacturing Organization A compares the Current
Profile and Target Profile to determine gaps and resources necessary to address the gaps. Critical Manufacturing
Organization A creates a prioritized Action Plan that draws on mission drivers, cost/benefit analysis, and
understanding of risk to achieve Target Profile outcomes. Identifying gaps between the Current Profile and Target
Profile allows for the creation of a roadmap that Critical Manufacturing Organization A implements to reduce its
cybersecurity risk.
• Step 7: Implement Action Plan. The organization implements the steps defined in the Action Plan and monitors
its current cybersecurity practices against the Target Profile.

Continuing to Adjust and Adapt

After implementing its plan, Critical Manufacturing Organization A performs a self-evaluation against the Framework
Implementation Tier 2 level before third-party validation of implementation. This self-evaluation includes determining the
organization’s defined, institutionalized, risk-informed, and management-approved processes and procedures. Although it
is determined that Critical Manufacturing Organization A complies with existing cybersecurity regulations, Critical
Manufacturing Organization A expresses its ultimate goal of being consistently secure throughout all of its processes.

Critical Manufacturing Organization A also partners with a third-party to evaluate the organization’s management and
execution of risk management activities. To move forward in a comprehensive manner, the organization leverages
activities in Framework Core Functions mentioned in the Preconditions section.

Critical Manufacturing Organization A strives to meet the Tier 3, which includes regular and repeatable risk management
processes to respond to a changing cybersecurity landscape. Tier 3 achievement is accomplished by overlaying the
Framework and Critical Manufacturing Organization A’s risk management activities, gap identification, and mitigation.
Risk management processes include risk-informed policies, processes, and procedures that are defined, implemented as
intended, and validated.

[OPTION 1] Areas for improvement for Critical Manufacturing Organization A are based on Current Profile, Target
Profile, and industry stakeholder input to focus on improving critical areas of cybersecurity and risk management:

• Authentication
• Data Analytics
• Cybersecurity Workforce
• Privacy Standards
• Supply Chain Risk Management

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 20

[OPTION 2] The organization identifies key areas to consider for improvement within the Framework Core Functions,
noted in bold below:

IDENTIFY PROTECT DETECT RESPOND RECOVER

• Asset Management • Awareness and • Anomalies and • Response Planning • Recovery Planning
• Business Environment Training Events • Communications • Improvements
• Governance • Data Security • Security Continuous • Analysis • Communications
• Risk Assessment • Information Protection Monitoring • Mitigation
• Risk Management Processes and • Detection Processes • Improvements
Strategy Procedures
• Protective
Technology

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 21

Critical Manufacturing Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance 22