How to implement NIST CSF 2.0 core functions using AI

Overview

You'll learn how to implement each of the six NIST CSF 2.0 core Functions—GOVERN, IDENTIFY, PROTECT, DETECT, RESPOND, and RECOVER—using AI to accelerate control selection, policy development, and outcome achievement.

Who this is for

This guide is for:

• Security teams implementing specific NIST CSF Functions

• Compliance professionals translating CSF outcomes into operational controls

• IT managers deploying technologies to achieve CSF Subcategories

• Risk managers aligning cybersecurity activities with business objectives

• Consultants providing Function-specific implementation guidance to clients

Before you begin

You should have:

• An ISMS Copilot account with a NIST CSF workspace

• Completed NIST CSF Current and Target Profiles

• Gap analysis identifying priority Subcategories for implementation

• Executive sponsorship and resource allocation for implementation

• Understanding of your organization's risk priorities and compliance drivers

Understanding the six Functions

How Functions work together

NIST CSF 2.0's six Functions form an integrated cybersecurity program:

• GOVERN: Foundation that informs all other Functions through strategy, policy, and risk management

• IDENTIFY: Understanding of assets, risks, and improvement opportunities that guide PROTECT priorities

• PROTECT: Safeguards that prevent or reduce likelihood and impact of adverse events

• DETECT: Continuous monitoring that discovers attacks and compromises

• RESPOND: Incident management actions to contain and mitigate cybersecurity events

• RECOVER: Restoration of operations and services after incidents

Implementing GOVERN (GV): Establish cybersecurity governance

GOVERN Function overview

New in CSF 2.0, the GOVERN Function ensures cybersecurity risk management is integrated with enterprise risk management (ERM) and business objectives. It includes six Categories:

• GV.OC: Organizational Context

• GV.RM: Risk Management Strategy

• GV.RR: Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities

• GV.PO: Policy

• GV.OV: Oversight

• GV.SC: Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management

Key implementation steps for GOVERN

1. Establish organizational context (GV.OC):

   In your NIST CSF workspace, ask:

   "Help me implement NIST CSF GV.OC (Organizational Context). Create documentation for: GV.OC-01 (mission and objectives), GV.OC-02 (internal/external context), GV.OC-03 (legal and regulatory requirements), GV.OC-04 (critical objectives and activities), GV.OC-05 (outcomes and performance). Our organization is [description]."

2. Develop risk management strategy (GV.RM):

   "Create a cybersecurity risk management strategy document aligned with NIST CSF GV.RM. Include: GV.RM-01 (risk management objectives), GV.RM-02 (risk appetite and tolerance), GV.RM-03 (risk determination and prioritization), GV.RM-04 (alignment with ERM), GV.RM-05 (communication of strategy), GV.RM-06 (strategic planning for emerging risks). Tailor to [organization context]."

3. Define roles and responsibilities (GV.RR):

   "Define cybersecurity roles, responsibilities, and authorities per NIST CSF GV.RR. Include: GV.RR-01 (organizational leadership responsibilities), GV.RR-02 (roles and responsibilities defined and communicated), GV.RR-03 (adequate resources), GV.RR-04 (cybersecurity integrated into HR practices). Create RACI matrix for key security activities."

4. Establish policies (GV.PO):

   "Create an information security policy framework satisfying NIST CSF GV.PO. Address: GV.PO-01 (policy establishment and communication), GV.PO-02 (policy reinforcement through procedures). Include high-level security policy and supporting procedure documents for access control, data protection, incident response, acceptable use."

5. Implement oversight (GV.OV):

   "Design cybersecurity oversight mechanisms per NIST CSF GV.OV. Include: GV.OV-01 (cybersecurity results communication to leadership), GV.OV-02 (leadership monitors and directs cyber risk), GV.OV-03 (oversight consistent with risk strategy). Create dashboard templates, management review agendas, and board reporting formats."

6. Establish supply chain risk management (GV.SC):

   "Implement cybersecurity supply chain risk management per NIST CSF GV.SC. Address: GV.SC-01 (supply chain risk management strategy), GV.SC-02 (suppliers known and prioritized), GV.SC-03 (contracts with security requirements), GV.SC-04 (suppliers monitored), GV.SC-05 (response to supply chain incidents), GV.SC-06 (supply chain security practices), GV.SC-07 (supply chain resilience), GV.SC-08 (relevant data shared), GV.SC-09 (mechanisms for supply chain transparency)."

Implementing IDENTIFY (ID): Understand your cybersecurity risks

IDENTIFY Function overview

The IDENTIFY Function focuses on understanding organizational assets, vulnerabilities, and risks. It includes three Categories:

• ID.AM: Asset Management

• ID.RA: Risk Assessment

• ID.IM: Improvement

Key implementation steps for IDENTIFY

1. Implement asset management (ID.AM):

   "Help me implement NIST CSF ID.AM (Asset Management). Create processes for: ID.AM-01 (hardware inventories), ID.AM-02 (software inventories), ID.AM-03 (data and data flows mapped), ID.AM-04 (external systems cataloged), ID.AM-05 (resources prioritized), ID.AM-07 (inventories maintained and updated), ID.AM-08 (systems decommissioned securely). Recommend tools for automated asset discovery and inventory management."

2. Conduct risk assessments (ID.RA):

   "Design a risk assessment program per NIST CSF ID.RA. Address: ID.RA-01 (vulnerabilities identified and documented), ID.RA-02 (threat intelligence received), ID.RA-03 (internal and external threats identified), ID.RA-04 (impacts to delivery of services identified), ID.RA-05 (threats and vulnerabilities used to inform risk determination), ID.RA-06 (risk responses identified and prioritized), ID.RA-07 (changes and exceptions tracked). Create risk assessment methodology, templates, and schedule."

3. Establish improvement processes (ID.IM):

   "Implement improvement identification and management per NIST CSF ID.IM. Include: ID.IM-01 (improvements from risk assessments, incidents, and activities), ID.IM-02 (response and recovery plans tested), ID.IM-03 (response and recovery lessons learned), ID.IM-04 (policies, plans, and procedures updated). Design continuous improvement workflow and tracking mechanism."

Implementing PROTECT (PR): Deploy cybersecurity safeguards

PROTECT Function overview

The PROTECT Function implements safeguards to manage cybersecurity risks. It includes five Categories:

• PR.AA: Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control

• PR.AT: Awareness and Training

• PR.DS: Data Security

• PR.IR: Platform Security (Infrastructure Resilience in CSF 1.1)

• PR.PS: Technology Infrastructure Resilience (Protective Technology in CSF 1.1)

Key implementation steps for PROTECT

1. Implement identity and access controls (PR.AA):

   "Help me implement NIST CSF PR.AA (Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control). Address: PR.AA-01 (identities and credentials managed), PR.AA-02 (identities proofed and bound), PR.AA-03 (users, services, and hardware authenticated), PR.AA-04 (identity assertions protected), PR.AA-05 (access permissions managed), PR.AA-06 (authentication and authorization based on context). Recommend IAM solutions (Okta, Azure AD, AWS IAM) and configuration guidance."

2. Establish awareness and training (PR.AT):

   "Design security awareness and training program per NIST CSF PR.AT. Include: PR.AT-01 (workforce informed and trained), PR.AT-02 (privileged users trained). Create training curriculum covering: phishing awareness, password hygiene, data handling, incident reporting, acceptable use. Include role-based training for admins, developers, executives. Recommend training platforms and content."

3. Implement data security (PR.DS):

   "Implement data security controls per NIST CSF PR.DS. Address: PR.DS-01 (data-at-rest protected), PR.DS-02 (data-in-transit protected), PR.DS-10 (data-in-use protected), PR.DS-11 (backup data protected). Include: encryption standards (AES-256, TLS 1.3), key management, data classification, DLP tools, backup procedures. Map to technologies like BitLocker, AWS KMS, Veeam."

4. Secure platforms (PR.IR):

   "Implement platform security per NIST CSF PR.IR. Address: PR.IR-01 (networks and environments secured), PR.IR-02 (technology secured), PR.IR-03 (security configuration baselines established), PR.IR-04 (operational technology secured). Include: network segmentation, vulnerability management, configuration hardening (CIS Benchmarks), patch management, secure development practices."

5. Build technology resilience (PR.PS):

   "Implement technology infrastructure resilience per NIST CSF PR.PS. Include: PR.PS-01 (availability ensured), PR.PS-02 (events logged), PR.PS-03 (events correlated), PR.PS-04 (technology assets developed securely). Design high availability architecture, logging strategy (SIEM integration), secure SDLC processes. Recommend technologies like load balancers, Splunk, GitLab CI/CD security."

Implementing DETECT (DE): Find and analyze cybersecurity events

DETECT Function overview

The DETECT Function enables timely discovery and analysis of cybersecurity anomalies and incidents. It includes two Categories:

• DE.CM: Continuous Monitoring

• DE.AE: Adverse Event Analysis

Key implementation steps for DETECT

1. Implement continuous monitoring (DE.CM):

   "Help me implement NIST CSF DE.CM (Continuous Monitoring). Address: DE.CM-01 (networks and network services monitored), DE.CM-02 (physical environment monitored), DE.CM-03 (personnel activity monitored), DE.CM-06 (external service provider activity monitored), DE.CM-09 (computing hardware and software monitored). Design monitoring architecture with: network traffic analysis (Zeek, Suricata), SIEM (Splunk, Sentinel), endpoint detection (CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender), cloud monitoring (CloudTrail, Azure Monitor)."

2. Establish adverse event analysis (DE.AE):

   "Implement adverse event analysis per NIST CSF DE.AE. Include: DE.AE-02 (events analyzed to understand targets and methods), DE.AE-03 (event data aggregated and correlated), DE.AE-04 (event impact determined), DE.AE-06 (information on adverse events shared), DE.AE-07 (threats and vulnerabilities detected), DE.AE-08 (incidents declared). Create SOC procedures, detection use cases, alert triage workflows, incident declaration criteria."

3. Design detection use cases:

   "Create detection use cases mapped to our threat model [describe key threats]. For each threat (ransomware, insider threat, supply chain compromise, data exfiltration), define: indicators of compromise (IOCs), detection logic for SIEM, baseline behavior models, alert severity criteria, escalation thresholds. Format for implementation in [SIEM platform]."

Implementing RESPOND (RS): Take action on cybersecurity incidents

RESPOND Function overview

The RESPOND Function supports incident management and containment. It includes five Categories:

• RS.MA: Incident Management

• RS.AN: Incident Analysis

• RS.MI: Incident Mitigation

• RS.RP: Incident Reporting

• RS.CO: Incident Response Communications

Key implementation steps for RESPOND

1. Establish incident management (RS.MA):

   "Help me implement NIST CSF RS.MA (Incident Management). Address: RS.MA-01 (incident response plan executed), RS.MA-02 (incident reports triaged and prioritized), RS.MA-03 (incidents categorized), RS.MA-04 (incidents escalated or elevated), RS.MA-05 (response plan updated based on lessons learned). Create incident response plan including: incident definition, severity classification, escalation matrix, team roles (RACI), playbooks for common scenarios."

2. Design incident analysis (RS.AN):

   "Implement incident analysis capabilities per NIST CSF RS.AN. Include: RS.AN-03 (incident data and metadata collected and correlated), RS.AN-04 (incident impact and scope understood), RS.AN-06 (actions performed during investigation), RS.AN-07 (incident data preserved), RS.AN-08 (incident data analyzed). Create forensics procedures, evidence collection checklists, chain of custody forms, analysis tools (SIFT, Autopsy)."

3. Implement mitigation capabilities (RS.MI):

   "Design incident mitigation processes per NIST CSF RS.MI. Address: RS.MI-01 (incidents contained), RS.MI-02 (incidents eradicated). Create containment playbooks for: ransomware (network isolation, account suspension), data breach (data access revocation, credential rotation), DDoS (traffic filtering, failover), insider threat (access termination, evidence preservation)."

4. Establish reporting (RS.RP):

   "Create incident reporting framework per NIST CSF RS.RP. Include: RS.RP-01 (reporting requirements understood). Document: regulatory reporting obligations (data breach laws, sector regulations), law enforcement coordination, customer notification requirements, internal reporting, timeline requirements. Create reporting templates and decision trees."

5. Design communications (RS.CO):

   "Implement incident response communications per NIST CSF RS.CO. Address: RS.CO-02 (internal and external stakeholders informed), RS.CO-03 (information shared with designated organizations). Create communication plans for: executives, employees, customers, regulators, law enforcement, media, insurance. Include templates for each audience."

Implementing RECOVER (RC): Restore operations after incidents

RECOVER Function overview

The RECOVER Function supports restoration of operations and services after cybersecurity incidents. It includes three Categories:

• RC.RP: Incident Recovery Plan Execution

• RC.IM: Incident Recovery Communications

• RC.CO: Incident Recovery Communications (External)

Key implementation steps for RECOVER

1. Develop recovery plans (RC.RP):

   "Help me implement NIST CSF RC.RP (Incident Recovery Plan Execution). Address: RC.RP-01 (recovery plan executed), RC.RP-03 (recovery activities communicated), RC.RP-05 (failures during recovery managed), RC.RP-06 (restoration activities prioritized). Create recovery plans for: ransomware (backup restoration, system rebuild), data breach (security hardening, monitoring enhancement), infrastructure failure (failover procedures, service restoration). Include RTOs and RPOs."

2. Establish improvement processes (RC.IM):

   "Implement recovery improvement processes per NIST CSF RC.IM. Include: RC.IM-01 (response and recovery updated based on lessons learned), RC.IM-02 (response and recovery strategies updated). Design post-incident review process: timeline (within 7 days of closure), participants (incident team, stakeholders), agenda (timeline review, what worked/didn't, recommendations), documentation (post-mortem report), follow-up (corrective action tracking)."

3. Design recovery communications (RC.CO):

   "Create recovery communications framework per NIST CSF RC.CO. Address: RC.CO-03 (recovery activities communicated to stakeholders), RC.CO-04 (public updates on recovery). Include communication plans for: progress updates to leadership, customer status notifications, regulatory follow-up, post-incident transparency reports. Create templates and approval workflows."

4. Test recovery capabilities:

   "Design a recovery testing program. Include: backup restoration tests (monthly), disaster recovery exercises (quarterly), business continuity tests (annually), ransomware-specific recovery drills. For each test type, provide: objectives, scope, procedures, success criteria, documentation requirements. Map to ID.IM-02 (response and recovery plans tested)."

Creating Function-specific implementation roadmaps

Prioritizing Function implementation

Use AI to sequence Function implementation based on your risk profile:

1. Risk-driven prioritization:

   "Based on our top cybersecurity risks [list risks with severity], prioritize NIST CSF Function implementation. For each risk, identify: Functions most critical for mitigation, specific Subcategories to prioritize, implementation sequence (which Functions depend on others), quick wins (high-impact, low-effort Subcategories)."

2. Resource-constrained roadmap:

   "Create an 18-month NIST CSF implementation roadmap with limited resources (budget: [amount], team: [size]). Prioritize: Phase 1 (months 1-6): GOVERN + critical IDENTIFY/PROTECT, Phase 2 (months 7-12): DETECT + remaining PROTECT, Phase 3 (months 13-18): RESPOND + RECOVER + optimization. Include milestone targets, resource allocation, dependencies."

3. Compliance-driven implementation:

   "We must demonstrate NIST CSF alignment for [federal contract / customer audit / regulatory requirement] in 9 months. Which Functions and Subcategories are mandatory for compliance? Create accelerated implementation plan focusing on must-have outcomes, deferring nice-to-have capabilities to Phase 2."

Measuring Function implementation success

Function-specific metrics

Track progress and effectiveness for each Function:

1. Design measurement framework:

   "Create a measurement framework for NIST CSF Function implementation. For each Function (GOVERN, IDENTIFY, PROTECT, DETECT, RESPOND, RECOVER), define: implementation metrics (% Subcategories achieved), effectiveness metrics (outcomes realized), leading indicators (progress toward targets), lagging indicators (actual results). Include data sources and collection methods."

2. Function-specific KPIs:

   "Define KPIs for measuring NIST CSF effectiveness. Examples: GOVERN (risk management decisions made, policy compliance rate), IDENTIFY (% assets inventoried, risk assessments completed), PROTECT (% systems hardened, training completion), DETECT (mean time to detect, false positive rate), RESPOND (mean time to contain, escalation accuracy), RECOVER (mean time to recover, RTO/RPO achievement)."

3. Dashboard design:

   "Design an executive dashboard for NIST CSF implementation progress. Include: overall implementation status (Current vs. Target Profile), Function-specific health (red/yellow/green), key metrics by Function, risk posture trend, recent incidents and recovery, upcoming milestones. Format for quarterly board reporting."

Next steps

You've now gained comprehensive Function implementation guidance:

• ✓ Understanding of all six Functions and their purposes

• ✓ GOVERN implementation for cybersecurity governance foundation

• ✓ IDENTIFY implementation for asset and risk understanding

• ✓ PROTECT implementation for safeguard deployment

• ✓ DETECT implementation for continuous monitoring

• ✓ RESPOND implementation for incident management

• ✓ RECOVER implementation for operational restoration

• ✓ Measurement frameworks for tracking success

Continue optimizing your NIST CSF implementation:

• How to create NIST CSF organizational profiles using AI - Update Profiles as you implement

• How to map NIST CSF 2.0 to other frameworks using AI - Integrate with other compliance efforts

• How to perform compliance risk assessments using ISMS Copilot - Ongoing risk management

Getting help

• Implementation Examples: Review NIST's official Implementation Examples for each Subcategory

• Quick Start Guides: Access Function-specific Quick Start Guides from NIST

• Informative References: Browse control mappings to find specific technologies and practices for each Subcategory

• Community Profiles: Review sector-specific profiles showing Function priorities for your industry

• Ask ISMS Copilot: Use your workspace for Function-specific implementation questions and control recommendations

• Verify guidance: Always cross-reference AI-generated implementation plans with official NIST resources