Which framework provides guidelines for securing critical infrastructure?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is designed specifically to provide guidelines for improving the security and resilience of critical infrastructure. It offers a flexible framework that organizations can use to manage and reduce cybersecurity risk, especially in sectors vital to national security, economy, public health, and safety.

The framework promotes a risk-based approach consisting of five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These functions help organizations prioritize their cybersecurity efforts and enhance their ability to manage cyber risks related to their infrastructure. By integrating these guidelines, entities can develop policies, procedures, and technologies suited to their specific needs, ultimately improving their security posture and the protection of critical assets.

Other frameworks mentioned, while valuable in their own contexts, do not specifically focus on critical infrastructure. For instance, ISO/IEC 27001 focuses on information security management systems, COBIT is a framework for IT governance and management, and ITIL is primarily concerned with service management practices.