Meeting NIST cybersecurity framework requirements
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines help businesses achieve robust information security practices, safeguard sensitive data, and minimize cybersecurity risks. NIST compliance is a key step in protecting your organization’s data.
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Overview of key NIST requirements
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Disclaimer: The controls listed below are a selected subset of the NIST requirements that NordPass can help organizations implement. For a full list of controls, please consult the standard itself.
Access control management
Organizations should use the principle of least privilege to reduce the risk of access, meaning that users and systems should only have the minimum permissions required for their tasks.
Implement session locks
Inactivity should be protected with session locks that have pattern-hiding displays. This adds an additional layer of security, keeping sensitive data from being viewed by unauthorized parties.
Maintain comprehensive audit logs
System activities should be tracked and recorded to enable monitoring, analysis, and investigation of potential unauthorized access or behavior. Audit logs are critical for accountability and compliance.
Ensure user accountability
System-level actions should be traceable at the level of a particular user. This will make users take more responsibility for their activities, thus boosting accountability and security.
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Privileged and non-privileged account authentication should be done leveraging MFA. Making access to sensitive data and systems more secure by requiring multiple verification methods further solidifies overall security posture.
Use cryptography to protect passwords
Passwords must be stored and transmitted using strong encryption in order to avoid interception and exposure. Secure password practices are vital to system integrity.
Detect and report security incidents
Organizations must have a formal process for detecting, documenting, and reporting security incidents to appropriate internal and external authorities. This allows for quick response times to mitigate potential threats.
Prevent unauthorized information transfer
Shared system resources must be managed to prevent unauthorized access to data left by previous users or processes. Proper controls ensure that sensitive data is not exposed through system cache or storage reuse, bolstering overall security.
Prioritize password length over complexity
Prioritize length over complexity for sufficient security. Conventional complexity requirements can lead to predictable patterns. Passphrases—combinations of unrelated words—are strongly recommended.
Block common and compromised passwords
Passwords should be checked against lists of known breached or commonly used passwords. Preventing the use of such credentials significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
How NordPass can ease your way toward NIST compliance
NordPass offers a set of advanced features that can help you meet the standards of NIST more easily, ensuring your business remains secure and compliant with minimal complexity.
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Administrators can enforce detailed access controls on shared credentials with NordPass, restricting access to sensitive accounts and setting time-limited permissions. They can also have a comprehensive overview of all shared credentials and folders in the Sharing Hub. This satisfies some of the NIST's access control requirements.
NordPass allows for a role-based authorization of users inside an organization by restricting access to specific functions. In NordPass, you can assign Owner, Admin, or User, which helps reduce the risks associated with over-privileged user accounts.
With its built-in authenticator, NordPass facilitates effortless multi-factor authentication (MFA) implementation for individual and shared accounts, increasing overall employee security and productivity.
NordPass includes an autolock functionality that automatically locks the vault during a period of inactivity, preventing potential unauthorized access. This means that if a user steps away, their sensitive data remains secure. To regain access, users can unlock their vault using their Master Password or biometrics.
The Activity Log feature keeps a detailed log of user actions performed within the organization, including app access, authentication activities, user invitations, role changes, organization settings updates, integrations, and item management. These logs can help identify suspicious behavior and streamline investigations.
NordPass protects all data with industry-leading XChaCha20 encryption during storage and transmission. NordPass ensures that passwords cannot be intercepted and used without authorization, meeting the highest standards of cryptographic protection.
Equipped with the Data Breach Scanner tool as well as the Exposed Passwords feature, NordPass helps organizations detect potential vulnerabilities much sooner. Early detection means fewer chances of a breach blowing out of proportion.
NordPass Password Generator helps users create strong, unique credentials for every account. By enforcing complexity and length requirements in adherence to the NIST password guidelines and using the Password Policy feature, organizations can reduce the risk of weak or default password use and boost overall security.
The NordPass autofill feature automatically fills out credentials on websites and applications, eliminating manual entry and reducing the risk of exposure to keylogging or shoulder surfing. Autofill works on legitimate sites only, protecting users from phishing attempts.
The Exposed Passwords feature in NordPass is designed to check saved credentials against a database of known password leaks. In case a match is found, users are alerted and can update their password to reduce major security risks. Additionally, Admins can monitor compromised passwords without accessing user data, ensuring compliance with NIST guidelines.
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NordPass is a trusted choice for organizations prioritizing security and compliance. With ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, SOC 2 Type 2 audit, and an independent audit by Cure53, NordPass Business demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the compliance journey.
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Frequently asked questions
While NIST is a US federal agency, the frameworks and standards established by it are widely adopted globally. Industries such as, but not limited to, government, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and technology look to these guidelines to improve on cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance issues. Any organization seeking to improve its security posture, manage risks, or align with recognized standards can leverage the resources of NIST.
The core mission of NIST is to foster innovation and industrial competitiveness through the development and promotion of standards, guidelines, and best operational practices. More specifically with regard to cybersecurity, NIST strives to enable organizations to effectively manage and decrease risks to critical infrastructure, protect sensitive data, and enhance overall security resilience. NIST's work provides a solid base of security and standardization upon which technology adoption can occur across industries.
No, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is not mandatory for most organizations. It is a voluntary framework designed to assist in organizing and managing cybersecurity risks. However, specific industries or organizations, especially those related to critical infrastructure, may be compelled by federal or industry-specific regulations to implement the NIST CSF or adhere to its principles. As such, many organizations are voluntarily adapting this framework in an effort to bolster security practices by demonstrating corporate responsibility in cybersecurity.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, regulatory, or cybersecurity advice. It is intended to offer general guidance on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security controls and highlights how NordPass can assist organizations in implementing certain measures. However, it does not constitute an exhaustive or definitive interpretation of NIST requirements. While every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the content, products, services, or related graphics for any purpose. Reliance on this information is strictly at your own risk. Organizations should conduct their own assessments and consult with qualified legal, regulatory, or cybersecurity professionals to determine the best approach to achieving and maintaining NIST compliance. NordPass does not guarantee compliance with NIST standards or any other regulatory framework, nor do we assume responsibility for any security incidents, loss or damage, including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or financial implications, arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article. This article does not establish a client-professional relationship between Nord Security Inc. and the reader.