NIST-COBIT-2019 Sample Questions Answers

The organization’s asset register should primarily align to configuration management, because it is a process that maintains an accurate and complete inventory of the organization’s I&T assets and their relationships12. Configuration management supports the implementation of Step 2: Orient and Step 3: Create a Current Profile, because it helps to identify the systems, people, assets, data, and capabilities that are within the scope of the cybersecurity program, and to assess their current cybersecurity outcomes34.

References: 1: COBIT 2019 Framework – ITSM Docs - ITSM Documents & Templates 2: COBIT 2019 Design Guide: Designing an Information and Technology Governance Solution 3: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST 4: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019 | ISACA

Identifying external compliance requirements is most likely to occur during COBIT Implementation Phase 2: Where Are We Now?, because this phase involves assessing the current state of the enterprise’s governance and management system, as well as its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats12. This phase also includes identifying the relevant stakeholders, drivers, and scope of the implementation program . Therefore, this phase requires a thorough understanding of the external laws, regulations, and contractual obligations that apply to the enterprise and its I&T activities.

References: 1: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide 2: COBIT 2019 Implementation - ISACA : Connecting COBIT 2019 to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework - ISACA : 7 Phases of COBIT Implementation: Explained - The Knowledge Academy : Compliance with External Requirements - Morland-Austin

The activity of determining an appropriate target capability level for each process occurs within Implementation Phase 3, as it helps to set an improvement target and identify gaps and potential solutions using COBIT’s guidance. This involves creating a detailed business case and a high-level program plan for the implementation12.

ReferencesDefining Target Capability Levels in COBIT 2019: A Proposal for RefinementCOBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation, page 31.

The objective of COBIT Implementation Phase 2 is to define the scope of the implementation using COBIT’s mapping of enterprise goals to IT-related goals and the associated IT processes, and to consider how risk scenarios could also highlight key processes on which to focus. This phase also involves documenting the current capability and performance of the selected processes and identifying opportunities for improvement12.

References7 Phases in COBIT Implementation | COBIT Certification - SimplilearnCOBIT 2019 Design and Implementation COBIT Implementation, page 31.

This represents a best practice for completing CSF Step 3: Create a Current Profile, because it involves collaborating with relevant stakeholders to identify the current cybersecurity outcomes and implementation status of the organization12. Engaging in a dialogue and obtaining input can help to ensure that the Current Profile reflects the business drivers, mission, objectives, and risk appetite of the organization, as well as the scope and boundaries of the cybersecurity program34.

References: 1: Cybersecurity Framework Components | NIST 2: Getting Started with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A Quick Start Guide3 3: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019 | ISACA 4: NIST CSF: The seven-step cybersecurity framework process5

This is an objective of COBIT Implementation Phase 3: Where Do We Want to Be?, because it involves defining the desired state of the enterprise’s governance and management system, based on the stakeholder needs, drivers, and scope12. This objective also includes using the COBIT Performance Management system to assess the current and target capability levels of the processes that support the governance and management objectives34.

References: 1: COBIT 2019 Implementation Guide 2: COBIT 2019 Implementation - ISACA 3: COBIT 2019 Performance Management: Principles and Processes 4: Effective Capability and Maturity Assessment Using COBIT 2019 - ISACA

The primary reason for establishing open communication between all participants and stakeholders as part of the implementation phase is to ensure issues can be identified and resolved, as this can facilitate the collaboration, coordination, and feedback among the involved parties, and help to overcome the challenges and risks that may arise during the implementation12.

ReferencesConnecting COBIT 2019 to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework - ISACAQuestions and Answers | NIST

According to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, mission drivers are a primary consideration when creating an action plan to address gaps identified in CSF Step 6, as they help to align the cybersecurity program with the organization’s objectives, priorities, and risk appetite. Mission drivers also help to determine the resources needed and the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed solutions12.

References7 Steps to Implement & Improve Cybersecurity with NISTCybersecurity Framework v1.1 - CSF Tools - Identity Digital, page 7.

The function of the CSF that is addressed by incorporating governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) elements into the implementation plan is Identify, which assists in developing an organizational understanding to managing cybersecurity risk to systems, people, assets, data, and capabilities. GRC elements help to define the governance program, the legal and regulatory requirements, the risk management strategy, and the supply chain risk management strategy of the organization12.

ReferencesThe Five Functions | NISTNIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Understanding the "Govern" Function

A CSF Informative Reference within the CSF Core provides a citation to a related activity from another standard or guideline that can help an organization achieve the outcome described in a CSF Subcategory12. For example, the Informative Reference for ID.AM-1 (Physical devices and systems within the organization are inventoried) is COBIT 5 APO01.01, which states "Maintain an inventory of IT assets"3.

References: 1: Informative References: What are they, and how are they used? | NIST 2: Everything to Know About NIST CSF Informative References | Axio 3: NIST Cybersecurity Framework v1.1 - CSF Tools - Identity Digital

The Detection capability is the type of capability within the CSF Core structure that can help practitioners recognize potential or realized risk to enterprise assets. The Detection capability consists of six categories that enable timely discovery of cybersecurity events, such as Anomalies and Events, Security Continuous Monitoring, and Detection Processes12.

References: 1: The Five Functions | NIST 2: Cybersecurity Framework | NIST

According to the ISACA guide, the order of these two steps may be reversed depending on the culture of the organization and the level of stakeholder engagement1. Some organizations may prefer to start with a broad orientation of the NIST CSF and COBIT 2019 before scoping and prioritizing the implementation, while others may want to define the scope and priorities first and then orient the stakeholders accordingly.

ReferencesImplementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019, page 17.