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

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 most beneficial result of an effective CSF implementation plan is that cybersecurity risk management practices are formalized and institutionalized, which means that the organization has established and maintained a consistent and comprehensive approach to managing cybersecurity risks across its systems, processes, and people. This result can help the organization to reduce the likelihood and impact of cybersecurity events, improve its resilience and compliance, and enhance its reputation and trust12.

ReferencesPublic Draft: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2, page 1.Cybersecurity Framework | NIST

The function of the CSF that is addressed by incorporating governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) elements into the implementation plan is Identify, which assists in developing an organizational understanding to managing cybersecurity risk to systems, people, assets, data, and capabilities. GRC elements help to define the governance program, the legal and regulatory requirements, the risk management strategy, and the supply chain risk management strategy of the organization12.

ReferencesThe Five Functions | NISTNIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Understanding the "Govern" Function

Identifying external compliance requirements is most likely to occur during COBIT Implementation Phase 2: Where Are We Now?, because this phase involves assessing the current state of the enterprise’s governance and management system, as well as its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats12. This phase also includes identifying the relevant stakeholders, drivers, and scope of the implementation program . Therefore, this phase requires a thorough understanding of the external laws, regulations, and contractual obligations that apply to the enterprise and its I&T activities.

References: 1: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide 2: COBIT 2019 Implementation - ISACA : Connecting COBIT 2019 to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework - ISACA : 7 Phases of COBIT Implementation: Explained - The Knowledge Academy : Compliance with External Requirements - Morland-Austin

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.

According to the TM Forum’s Business Process Framework (eTOM), the business/process level is responsible for defining the business strategy, objectives, and requirements, as well as monitoring and controlling the performance and quality of the processes1. The implementation/operations level is responsible for designing, developing, and executing the processes that deliver and support the services1. When coordinating framework implementation, these two levels collaborate to assess changes in current and future risks, such as market trends, customer expectations, regulatory compliance, security threats, and operational issues2. This helps them to align the processes with the business goals and outcomes, and to identify and mitigate any potential gaps or challenges3.

References: 1: Process Framework (eTOM) - TM Forum 2: Implement Dynamics 365 with a process-focused approach 3: Operations Management Implementation - Smarter Solutions, Inc.

This CSF step involves documenting the existing category and subcategory outcome achievements, by using the implementation status to indicate the degree to which the cybersecurity outcomes defined by the CSF Subcategories are currently being achieved by the organization12. The Current Profile reflects the current cybersecurity posture of the organization, and helps to identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement3 .

References: 1: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST 2: Cybersecurity Framework v1.1 - CSF Tools - Identity Digital 3: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019 | ISACA : REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTING THE NIST CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK USING COBIT 2019.

A clear understanding of the likelihood and impact of cybersecurity events is critical for the success of CSF Step 6, as it helps to prioritize the gaps and actions based on the risk assessment and the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed solutions12.

References7 Steps to Implement & Improve Cybersecurity with NISTNIST CSF: The seven-step cybersecurity framework process

Analysis is one of the six categories within the Detect function of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. The Analysis category aims to identify the occurrence of a cybersecurity event by performing data aggregation, correlation, and analysis12.

References: 1: The Five Functions | NIST 2: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST

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

The objective of COBIT Implementation Phase 2 is to define the scope of the implementation using COBIT’s mapping of enterprise goals to IT-related goals and the associated IT processes, and to consider how risk scenarios could also highlight key processes on which to focus. This phase also involves documenting the current capability and performance of the selected processes and identifying opportunities for improvement12.

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

The activity of determining an appropriate target capability level for each process occurs within Implementation Phase 3, as it helps 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 implementation12.

ReferencesDefining Target Capability Levels in COBIT 2019: A Proposal for RefinementCOBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation, page 31.