NIST CSF 2.0 Specialist
Implement, assess, and manage cybersecurity programs aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 — the definitive standard for organizational cybersecurity risk management. CSF 2.0 (Feb 2024) applies to all organizations and adds GOVERN as a sixth, top-level function alongside IDENTIFY, PROTECT, DETECT, RESPOND, and RECOVER.
Core Capabilities
- Maturity assessment — score all 22 categories across 6 functions on the 1–4 tier scale (Partial → Risk Informed → Repeatable → Adaptive) with evidence-backed gap analysis
- Profiles & gap analysis — build current and target profiles, then derive a prioritized, phased remediation roadmap
- Cross-framework mapping — map CSF categories to ISO 27001:2022, SOC 2 TSC, HIPAA Security Rule, and PCI-DSS v4.0 to reduce dual-audit burden
- Program implementation — 12-month phased roadmap covering governance, core protections, detection/response, and resilience
When to Use
Use this skill when you hear: "NIST cybersecurity framework", "CSF 2.0", "NIST compliance", "cybersecurity risk management", "NIST controls", "NIST assessment", "cybersecurity maturity", "NIST CSF profile", "cybersecurity governance", "cybersecurity program assessment", "CSF gap analysis", or "cross-framework compliance mapping".
Clarify First
Before running the assessment, confirm these inputs. If any is unknown or vague, ASK — do not assume:
Stop rule: ask only the 2-3 that most change the output. If the user says "just draft it," proceed and list your assumptions at the top of the maturity report.
Quick Start
# Assess cybersecurity maturity against a target tier
python scripts/csf_maturity_assessor.py --input assessment.json --target-tier 3 --output maturity_report.json
# Map controls across frameworks
python scripts/csf_control_mapper.py --source-framework nist-csf --target-framework iso27001 --output mapping.json
# Generate a markdown gap analysis
python scripts/csf_maturity_assessor.py --input assessment.json --target-tier 4 --format markdown --output gap_analysis.md
# Build a multi-framework unified matrix
python scripts/csf_control_mapper.py --source-framework nist-csf --target-framework all --output unified_matrix.json
References
Load the reference that matches the task — keep this file lean and pull detail on demand:
- references/framework-reference.md — CSF 2.0 overview, the six functions with all categories (key activities, implementation guidance, maturity indicators), profiles, tiers, and the full cross-framework mapping tables (ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS). Read when you need framework foundations or mapping detail.
- references/assessment-and-roadmap.md — per-function assessment checklists, the 5-week maturity-assessment workflow, the 12-month implementation roadmap, validation checkpoints, and success criteria. Read when planning or running an engagement.
- references/tools-and-troubleshooting.md — detailed tool capabilities, input JSON format, full usage examples, flag reference tables, and the troubleshooting guide. Read when running the scripts or debugging output.
- references/csf-functions-guide.md — complete CSF 2.0 taxonomy: every function, category, subcategory, evidence requirement, and common assessment question. Read for subcategory-level depth during detailed assessment.
- references/csf-implementation-playbook.md — step-by-step implementation guide with templates, prioritization, and budgeting. Read when standing up or maturing a program.
Scope & Limitations
In Scope:
- NIST CSF 2.0 maturity assessment across all 6 functions and 22 categories
- Current and target profile creation with gap analysis
- Cross-framework control mapping to ISO 27001:2022, SOC 2 TSC, HIPAA Security Rule, and PCI-DSS v4.0
- Implementation roadmap generation with phased milestones
- Tier-based scoring (Partial, Risk Informed, Repeatable, Adaptive)
Out of Scope:
- NIST SP 800-53 control-level implementation (CSF is a framework, not a control catalog; use SP 800-53 for prescriptive controls)
- Technical security testing, vulnerability scanning, or penetration testing (use infrastructure-compliance-auditor)
- Sector-specific Community Profiles (the tool provides organizational profiles; community profiles require sector-specific customization)
- Real-time security monitoring or SIEM configuration
- Compliance certification (NIST CSF is voluntary and does not offer formal certification)
- Legal or regulatory advice on specific compliance obligations
Integration Points
| Skill |
Integration |
| soc2-compliance-expert |
SOC 2 TSC maps directly to CSF functions; use the control mapper to generate a unified control matrix reducing dual-audit burden |
| information-security-manager-iso27001 |
ISO 27001 Annex A controls are the implementation backbone for CSF categories; CSF maturity scores inform ISMS continual improvement |
| infrastructure-compliance-auditor |
Validates technical controls (access, encryption, monitoring, endpoints) that underpin PROTECT and DETECT function scores |
| pci-dss-specialist |
PCI-DSS v4.0 requirements map to CSF categories; use cross-framework mapper for payment environments |
| nis2-directive-specialist |
NIS2 Article 21 measures align to CSF functions; CSF maturity assessment benchmarks NIS2 compliance posture |
| dora-compliance-expert |
DORA ICT risk management pillars map to GOVERN and IDENTIFY functions; use CSF as the unifying assessment framework |
1---2name: nist-csf-specialist3description: NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 implementation, assessment, and compliance management. Use for CSF 2.0 gap analysis, cybersecurity risk management, maturity assessment, CSF profiles, and cross-framework compliance mapping.4license: MIT + Commons Clause5---6# NIST CSF 2.0 Specialist
7
8Implement, assess, and manage cybersecurity programs aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 — the definitive standard for organizational cybersecurity risk management. CSF 2.0 (Feb 2024) applies to all organizations and adds GOVERN as a sixth, top-level function alongside IDENTIFY, PROTECT, DETECT, RESPOND, and RECOVER.
9
10## Core Capabilities
11
12- **Maturity assessment** — score all 22 categories across 6 functions on the 1–4 tier scale (Partial → Risk Informed → Repeatable → Adaptive) with evidence-backed gap analysis
13- **Profiles & gap analysis** — build current and target profiles, then derive a prioritized, phased remediation roadmap
14- **Cross-framework mapping** — map CSF categories to ISO 27001:2022, SOC 2 TSC, HIPAA Security Rule, and PCI-DSS v4.0 to reduce dual-audit burden
15- **Program implementation** — 12-month phased roadmap covering governance, core protections, detection/response, and resilience
16
17## When to Use
18
19Use this skill when you hear: "NIST cybersecurity framework", "CSF 2.0", "NIST compliance", "cybersecurity risk management", "NIST controls", "NIST assessment", "cybersecurity maturity", "NIST CSF profile", "cybersecurity governance", "cybersecurity program assessment", "CSF gap analysis", or "cross-framework compliance mapping".
20
21## Clarify First
22
23Before running the assessment, confirm these inputs. If any is unknown or vague, ASK — do not assume:
24
25- [ ] **Target tier** — Partial, Risk Informed, Repeatable, or Adaptive goal (drives the gap analysis and remediation roadmap)
26- [ ] **Current-state data** — the present maturity scores across the 6 functions / 22 categories (the scoring depends on it)
27- [ ] **Task** — maturity assessment, profile/gap analysis, or cross-framework mapping (selects the script and any target framework)
28
29Stop rule: ask only the 2-3 that most change the output. If the user says "just draft it," proceed and list your assumptions at the top of the maturity report.
30
31## Quick Start
32
33```bash
34# Assess cybersecurity maturity against a target tier
35python scripts/csf_maturity_assessor.py --input assessment.json --target-tier 3 --output maturity_report.json
36
37# Map controls across frameworks
38python scripts/csf_control_mapper.py --source-framework nist-csf --target-framework iso27001 --output mapping.json
39
40# Generate a markdown gap analysis
41python scripts/csf_maturity_assessor.py --input assessment.json --target-tier 4 --format markdown --output gap_analysis.md
42
43# Build a multi-framework unified matrix
44python scripts/csf_control_mapper.py --source-framework nist-csf --target-framework all --output unified_matrix.json
45```
46
47## References
48
49Load the reference that matches the task — keep this file lean and pull detail on demand:
50
51- **[references/framework-reference.md](references/framework-reference.md)** — CSF 2.0 overview, the six functions with all categories (key activities, implementation guidance, maturity indicators), profiles, tiers, and the full cross-framework mapping tables (ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS). Read when you need framework foundations or mapping detail.
52- **[references/assessment-and-roadmap.md](references/assessment-and-roadmap.md)** — per-function assessment checklists, the 5-week maturity-assessment workflow, the 12-month implementation roadmap, validation checkpoints, and success criteria. Read when planning or running an engagement.
53- **[references/tools-and-troubleshooting.md](references/tools-and-troubleshooting.md)** — detailed tool capabilities, input JSON format, full usage examples, flag reference tables, and the troubleshooting guide. Read when running the scripts or debugging output.
54- **[references/csf-functions-guide.md](references/csf-functions-guide.md)** — complete CSF 2.0 taxonomy: every function, category, subcategory, evidence requirement, and common assessment question. Read for subcategory-level depth during detailed assessment.
55- **[references/csf-implementation-playbook.md](references/csf-implementation-playbook.md)** — step-by-step implementation guide with templates, prioritization, and budgeting. Read when standing up or maturing a program.
56
57## Scope & Limitations
58
59**In Scope:**
60- NIST CSF 2.0 maturity assessment across all 6 functions and 22 categories
61- Current and target profile creation with gap analysis
62- Cross-framework control mapping to ISO 27001:2022, SOC 2 TSC, HIPAA Security Rule, and PCI-DSS v4.0
63- Implementation roadmap generation with phased milestones
64- Tier-based scoring (Partial, Risk Informed, Repeatable, Adaptive)
65
66**Out of Scope:**
67- NIST SP 800-53 control-level implementation (CSF is a framework, not a control catalog; use SP 800-53 for prescriptive controls)
68- Technical security testing, vulnerability scanning, or penetration testing (use infrastructure-compliance-auditor)
69- Sector-specific Community Profiles (the tool provides organizational profiles; community profiles require sector-specific customization)
70- Real-time security monitoring or SIEM configuration
71- Compliance certification (NIST CSF is voluntary and does not offer formal certification)
72- Legal or regulatory advice on specific compliance obligations
73
74## Integration Points
75
76| Skill | Integration |
77|-------|------------|
78| [soc2-compliance-expert](../soc2-compliance-expert/) | SOC 2 TSC maps directly to CSF functions; use the control mapper to generate a unified control matrix reducing dual-audit burden |
79| [information-security-manager-iso27001](../information-security-manager-iso27001/) | ISO 27001 Annex A controls are the implementation backbone for CSF categories; CSF maturity scores inform ISMS continual improvement |
80| [infrastructure-compliance-auditor](../infrastructure-compliance-auditor/) | Validates technical controls (access, encryption, monitoring, endpoints) that underpin PROTECT and DETECT function scores |
81| [pci-dss-specialist](../pci-dss-specialist/) | PCI-DSS v4.0 requirements map to CSF categories; use cross-framework mapper for payment environments |
82| [nis2-directive-specialist](../nis2-directive-specialist/) | NIS2 Article 21 measures align to CSF functions; CSF maturity assessment benchmarks NIS2 compliance posture |
83| [dora-compliance-expert](../dora-compliance-expert/) | DORA ICT risk management pillars map to GOVERN and IDENTIFY functions; use CSF as the unifying assessment framework |