Difference between ISO 27001 and NIST and when to choose each

Companies do a lot to protect their data and information assets. From non-human identity management to zero trust architecture, cybersecurity best practices are advancing by the day.

However, as your company grows, you may need to take a structured approach to security for a stronger defense. You may also need to prove to your stakeholders that your SecOps team has implemented widely recognized and necessary best practices to secure sensitive data. A security framework can help you do both.

This post will examine two popular security frameworks: ISO 27001 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). We’ll explain each one and help you determine which might work best for your company.

Let’s begin with a quick introduction to what a security framework is.

What is a security framework?

A security framework is a structured collection of policies, guidelines, and best practices that help you manage your organization’s information security risks. In simpler terms, it’s like a playbook with clear instructions on improving the overall security posture to protect the data your company owns or deals with in any way.

Security frameworks help organizations systematically design processes for identifying, monitoring, and mitigating cybersecurity risks.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 are two popular security frameworks used by security teams worldwide. The following sections will cover everything you need to know about these frameworks.

Introduction to ISO 27001 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

ISO 27001 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework are security frameworks recognized globally for securing sensitive information with a risk-based approach. Here, it’s important to understand that both these frameworks are standards, not regulations. This means you can use their guidelines to improve your organization’s security practices but are not legally bound to comply with them.

Each framework has unique strengths, so you can choose the one that best suits your organization’s needs. Let’s explore each framework in detail.

ISO 27001 and its benefits

ISO 27001 was first published in 2005 and is part of the ISO/IEC 27000 family developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and IEC. The standard specifies the necessary elements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

An ISMS protects an organization’s data by:

• Managing how people interact with information
• Defining processes for handling data securely
• Securing the technology that stores and processes information

While ISO 27001 is the framework for an ISMS, security teams often use it with ISO 27002. 

This companion standard is a detailed guidebook that provides practical advice on how to implement security protocols and controls mentioned in ISO 27001. It helps infosec teams understand how to create strong passwords, secure the network, safely dispose of old systems, back up important data, and more.

Benefits of ISO 27001 security framework:

• Internationally recognized security credential
• Structured approach to managing information security risks
• Higher customer and stakeholder trust, especially for businesses with stringent requirements like healthcare industry security standards
• Improved internal processes and security awareness
• Competitive advantage in global markets

NIST CSF and benefits

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework was created in 2014 by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology initially for federal agencies. But it has also been widely adopted by private organizations, including those looking to enhance security standards in SaaS and cloud-based infrastructures. 

In 2024, NIST released CSF 2.0, which introduced a sixth core function, “Govern,” to the existing five—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover (explained in the latter sections).

Another security framework relevant here is NIST Special Publication 800-53, which is related to but separate from CSF. SP 800-53 offers detailed, specific guidance on implementing security measures, primarily designed for federal agencies but widely adopted across various sectors.

Organizations often use SP 800-53 to flesh out the details of their cybersecurity program after adopting the CSF’s structure.

Benefits of NIST CSF security framework:

• It can be adapted based on the organization’s size and industry
• Facilitates communication about cybersecurity risks across the organization
• Offers a holistic approach to cybersecurity governance
• Includes quick-start guides and success stories to aid implementation

ISO 27001 principles: The CIA triad

Three fundamental principles that form the core of ISO 27001 are Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

1. Confidentiality: Keeping information under wraps

Confidentiality requires that an organization develop an ISMS that ensures information is accessible only to authorized users. Key elements of Confidentiality include:

• Using authentication methods like passwords, multifactor authentication, and security tokens to verify user identity
• Implementing role-based access controls that ensure access to sensitive data is strictly limited based on job function
• Encrypting data in transit using protocols like SSL/TLS to prevent interception by third parties

2. Integrity: Ensuring information is accurate and complete

The Integrity principle in ISO 27001 requires that data remain unaltered throughout its lifecycle, both in storage and transit. If an authorized user makes a change, infosec teams should properly manage it and consistently apply it across all instances. Key elements of Integrity include:

• Creating a data inventory to track data flow and lineage easily
• Regularly backing up critical data and ensuring automatic updates in case of any changes
• Implementing integrity checks like hash functions to detect tampering in transit
• Implementing logging and monitoring to detect who accessed or modified data and when

3. Availability: Ensuring information is accessible

Availability means ensuring authorized users have access to information and related assets whenever needed. Key elements of Availability include:

• Maintaining and monitoring ISMS to remove bottlenecks in security processes
• Implementing redundancy and disaster recovery solutions to prepare for potential disruptions
• Keeping hardware and software systems updated to the latest firmware

NIST Cybersecurity Framework components

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework has three main components: Core, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles.

Core

The Framework Core outlines desired cybersecurity activities and outcomes organized into six high-level Functions. These Functions help organizations structure their cybersecurity efforts and ensure effective risk management.

• Identify: Understand your organization’s cybersecurity risk to data, systems, assets, and capabilities
• Protect: Implement safeguards to deliver critical services when needed
• Detect: Plan activities to identify when a cybersecurity event occurs
• Respond: Implement activities to take action regarding a detected cybersecurity event
• Recover: Create resilience plans to recover capabilities that were impacted by a cybersecurity event
• Govern:  Oversee and govern the management of cybersecurity risk to the organization

Each Function is further divided into Categories and Subcategories for more detailed guidance.

Source: NIST

Implementation Tiers

The Implementation Tiers help determine how well your organization’s cybersecurity risk management practices align with the characteristics defined in the Framework. They can range from Partial (Tier 1) to Adaptive (Tier 4), helping infosec teams assess the current state and identify improvement opportunities.

Source: NIST 

Profiles

Profiles align an organization’s specific requirements and resources with the Core’s outcomes. By creating Current and Target Profiles, security teams can identify gaps and prioritize improvements in cybersecurity posture.

ISO 27001 vs NSIT CSF: Similarities

ISO 27001 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) have many similarities in their approach to cybersecurity:

Risk-based approach

Both ISO 27001 and the NIST CSF focus on identifying and assessing risks and then implementing appropriate controls to mitigate those risks.

Comprehensive frameworks

Both frameworks offer guidance across various areas, including incident response planning, access controls, asset management, etc.

Protecting sensitive data

Both frameworks aim to help organizations protect their information assets from cyber threats.

ISO 27001 vs NSIT CSF: Differences

Despite these similarities, the difference between ISO 27001 and NSIT CSF is significant.

Purpose

ISO 27001 was designed specifically for ISMS and is flexible enough to accommodate organizations of any size or industry. In contrast, the NIST CSF was originally developed for federal agencies in the United States, though it has since been adopted more broadly.

Certification

ISO 27001 is a certifiable international standard. On the other hand, the NIST CSF is a voluntary framework that guides managing and reducing cybersecurity risk but does not offer certification.

Cost

Implementing ISO 27001 involves hiring external auditors to verify compliance, which makes it more expensive, especially for smaller organizations. The NIST CSF, a self-assessment framework, typically doesn’t incur these additional auditing costs.

What should I choose for my organization: ISO 27001 or NSIT CSF?

Choosing a security framework depends on your organization’s needs and maturity level.

ISO 27001 is often preferred by operationally mature organizations facing external pressure to certify their ISMS. It shows your commitment to security to stakeholders and clients.

On the other hand, the NIST CSF can particularly benefit those beginning their cybersecurity journey or looking to assess their current posture before implementing more stringent measures.

But it doesn’t have to be an either-or choice. Many organizations choose to integrate both—using the NIST CSF to structure initial risk assessments and build a foundation, then progressing to ISO 27001 as they mature. 

ISO 27001 and NIST CSF are useful frameworks for improving your organization’s security posture, but implementing them effectively can be challenging. One critical aspect both frameworks emphasize is the proper management of sensitive information.

Entro, a non-human identities (NHI) and secrets management platform, does that efficiently. In addition to its capabilities in non-human identity management, including a robust secrets scanner and automated secrets rotation, it also makes compliance easier. 

Key features of Entro that help with compliance include:

• A security compliance dashboard offering context-based secrets management
• Detection, safeguarding, and enrichment of secrets across vaults, code, chats, and platforms, enhancing overall secret security 
• Compliance support for various standards, including SOC2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013
• Access control monitoring, showing who can access, modify, and use secrets

These features align well with many control objectives in ISO 27001 and NIST CSF, particularly in access management, data protection, and regular monitoring.

Sign up for a quick demo to see these features in action!