NIST CSF
Voluntary framework for managing cybersecurity risks organization-wide
ISO 45001
International standard for occupational health and safety management systems.
Quick Verdict
NIST CSF provides voluntary cybersecurity risk management for all organizations, while ISO 45001 is a certifiable standard for occupational health and safety. Companies adopt NIST CSF for flexible cyber posture improvement and ISO 45001 for worker safety compliance and certification.
NIST CSF
NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
Key Features
- Six core Functions including new Govern for oversight
- Implementation Tiers assess risk management maturity levels
- Profiles enable current-target gap analysis roadmaps
- Flexible mappings to ISO 27001 and CIS Controls
- Supply-chain risk management category addresses third-party threats
ISO 45001
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
Key Features
- Leadership accountability and worker participation requirements
- Hierarchy of controls prioritizing hazard elimination
- Annex SL structure for integrated management systems
- Management of change and contractor controls
- Risk-based planning with root cause analysis
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
NIST CSF Details
What It Is
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 is a voluntary, risk-based guideline developed by NIST for managing cybersecurity risks. It provides a flexible structure applicable to organizations of any size or sector, emphasizing outcomes over prescriptive controls through its Core, Tiers, and Profiles.
Key Components
- **Framework CoreSix Functions (Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover), 22 Categories, 112 Subcategories with informative references to standards like ISO 27001.
- **Implementation TiersFour levels (Partial to Adaptive) for evaluating risk management sophistication.
- **ProfilesCurrent and Target alignments for prioritization. No formal certification; self-attestation used.
Why Organizations Use It
Enhances risk communication, supports compliance (mandatory for U.S. federal), prioritizes threats cost-effectively, builds stakeholder trust, and integrates with enterprise risk management. Widely adopted for its common language and supply-chain focus.
Implementation Overview
Start with Current Profile assessment, gap analysis to Target Profile, tiered progression. Suited globally; involves policy development, training, monitoring. Quick starts for SMEs; ongoing adaptation via workshops and tools.
ISO 45001 Details
What It Is
ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It enables organizations to provide safe workplaces, prevent injuries and ill health, and improve OH&S performance. Adopting a risk-based approach via the High-Level Structure (Annex SL) and PDCA cycle, it harmonizes with ISO 9001 and 14001.
Key Components
- Clauses 4–10: context, leadership and worker participation, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
- Emphasizes hierarchy of controls, hazard identification, contractor management.
- Built on proactive risk/opportunity assessment; voluntary certification through audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces incidents, costs, and downtime.
- Ensures legal compliance and builds resilience.
- Enhances reputation, talent retention, insurance savings.
- Provides competitive edge via integrated management systems.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, training, controls, audits.
- Scalable for all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical.
- Focuses leadership accountability and worker consultation.
Key Differences
| Aspect | NIST CSF | ISO 45001 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Cybersecurity risk management lifecycle | Occupational health & safety management |
| Industry | All sectors worldwide, any size | All industries globally, scalable |
| Nature | Voluntary risk framework, no certification | Certifiable management system standard |
| Testing | Self-assessment via Profiles & Tiers | Internal audits, management reviews, certification |
| Penalties | No legal penalties, voluntary adoption | No direct penalties, certification loss |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NIST CSF and ISO 45001
NIST CSF FAQ
ISO 45001 FAQ
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