NIST CSF to ISO 27001 Control Mapping

Written by Maahnoor Siddiqui | Mar 17, 2025 4:20:27 PM

Aspect	NIST CSF	ISO 27001
Purpose	Framework for managing cybersecurity-related risks	Standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)
Scope	A broader set of guidelines and best practices	Focused on establishing and implementing an ISMS
Risk Maturity	Suitable for organizations starting to establish cybersecurity risk management	Better for operationally mature enterprises seeking certification
Certification	Voluntary compliance and self-certification	Requires formal certification
Structure	Highly segmented, easy to learn, customize, and implement	Structured approach with specific security controls
Flexibility	More adaptable	Less flexible, but comprehensive
Focus	Emphasizes identifying gaps in cybersecurity posture	Covers a broad range of security controls
Applicability	Can be customized to unique requirements	Tailored to specific organizational needs
Complementary Use	Can be used together for a comprehensive cybersecurity program

Here's a sample crosswalk table between ISO 27001 and NIST CSF:

ISO 27001 Control	NIST CSF Category	NIST CSF Subcategory
A.11.1.1 Physical Security Perimeter	PR.AC - Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control	PR.AC-2: Physical access to assets is managed and protected
A.9.2.1 User Registration and De-registration	PR.AC - Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control	PR.AC-1: Identities and credentials are issued, managed, verified, revoked, and audited
A.12.3.1 Backup Policy	PR.IP - Information Protection Processes and Procedures	PR.IP-4: Backups of information are conducted, maintained, and tested

Complementary Frameworks: ISO 27001 and NIST CSF are complementary and share similar cyber risk management processes.
Overlap: An organization with ISO 27001 certification has already met about 83% of NIST CSF requirements, while NIST CSF compliance covers approximately 61% of ISO 27001 requirements.
Differences: Despite similarities, there are notable differences:
- ISO 27001 is internationally recognized, while NIST CSF was initially developed for U.S. federal agencies.
- ISO 27001 has 93 controls in Annex A, while NIST CSF has five core functions with various control catalogs.
- ISO 27001 is less technical and focuses on mature organizations, while NIST CSF is more technical and suited for the initial stages of cybersecurity programs.

By using this crosswalk, organizations can leverage the strengths of both standards to enhance their overall cybersecurity posture and streamline compliance efforts.

CyberSaint's CyberStrong platform uses NLP and AI to automate crosswalking between cybersecurity frameworks like NIST CSF, CMMC, and ISO 27001. This allows organizations to quickly map controls, maintain consistency, and gain real-time insights into their cybersecurity posture.

CyberStrong's capabilities include:

Crosswalking templates to ensure consistency across multiple departments and risk assessments.
Real-time updates on technical control scores through Continuous Control Automation (CCA).
The ability to conduct one-to-one and one-to-many crosswalks efficiently.
Support over 60 industry frameworks, with the flexibility to add custom frameworks.

By streamlining the crosswalking process, CyberSaint enables organizations to more effectively manage their cybersecurity posture across multiple frameworks, facilitate compliance efforts, and gain comprehensive insights into their risk landscape.

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