NIST Cybersecurity Framework Alignment
NIST CSF consulting and implementation services. We map controls to NIST CSF functions, produce audit-ready evidence, and demonstrate compliance to auditors and regulators.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework Alignment
Bell Tower engineers security controls aligned to NIST Cybersecurity Framework functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) for regulated organizations.
What We Deliver
- Control Crosswalk Mapping: We map your existing controls to NIST CSF categories, identify gaps, and deliver remediation roadmaps. Our approach produces audit-ready evidence that satisfies internal audits, investor due diligence, and regulatory reviews.
- Regulatory Crosswalks: We provide control crosswalks showing how NIST CSF alignment satisfies HIPAA, FINRA/SEC, GDPR, and other regulatory requirements—reducing duplicate work across compliance programs.
- Evidence Engineering: We build evidence libraries with the artifacts auditors accept: access logs, configuration exports, test results, and bridge letters for automation tools.
Bell Tower’s NIST Cybersecurity Framework consulting includes control mapping, gap analysis, remediation planning, and evidence engineering. We assess your current security posture against NIST CSF’s five functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) and 23 categories, then deliver a control crosswalk showing which controls you have, which need remediation, and how they map to regulatory requirements like HIPAA or FINRA/SEC. Our deliverables include evidence libraries, policy templates, and audit preparation packages that work for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and regulatory audits. We also handle the “automation → auditor handoff”—translating compliance tool outputs into evidence formats that auditors accept.
NIST CSF Control Mapping
Identify (ID)
Asset management, business environment understanding, risk assessment, and risk management strategy. We inventory your systems, data flows, and dependencies to establish baseline visibility.
Key deliverables:
- Asset inventory with criticality ratings
- Data flow diagrams
- Risk register aligned to NIST CSF threats
- Third-party risk assessments
Protect (PR)
Access control, awareness training, data security, protective technology, and maintenance. We implement controls that limit access to authorized users and protect data at rest and in transit.
Key deliverables:
- Access control matrices with role definitions
- Encryption configuration documentation
- Security awareness training records
- Network segmentation diagrams
Detect (DE)
Anomalies and events, continuous monitoring, and detection processes. We establish monitoring capabilities that identify security events in real time.
Key deliverables:
- SIEM configuration and alert rules
- Vulnerability scanning schedules and results
- Log retention and analysis procedures
- Incident detection runbooks
Respond (RS)
Response planning, communications, analysis, mitigation, and improvements. We build incident response capabilities that minimize impact and recovery time.
Key deliverables:
- Incident response plan with role assignments
- Communication templates and escalation paths
- Tabletop exercise after-action reports
- Forensic investigation procedures
Recover (RC)
Recovery planning, improvements, and communications. We ensure business continuity and rapid restoration of services.
Key deliverables:
- Disaster recovery procedures with RTO/RPO targets
- Backup and restoration test results
- Business continuity plans
- Post-incident improvement tracking
Regulatory Crosswalk: NIST CSF to Compliance Requirements
NIST CSF alignment accelerates compliance with multiple regulatory frameworks. Our crosswalks demonstrate how NIST controls satisfy specific requirements:
HIPAA Security Rule
| NIST CSF Category | HIPAA Requirement | Evidence Artifact |
|---|---|---|
| PR.AC (Access Control) | 164.312(a) Access Control | Access control policy, user provisioning logs |
| PR.DS (Data Security) | 164.312(e) Transmission Security | Encryption configuration, TLS certificates |
| DE.CM (Continuous Monitoring) | 164.312(b) Audit Controls | SIEM logs, audit trail exports |
| RS.RP (Response Planning) | 164.308(a)(6) Security Incident Procedures | IR plan, incident tickets, AARs |
FINRA/SEC Cybersecurity Requirements
| NIST CSF Category | FINRA/SEC Requirement | Evidence Artifact |
|---|---|---|
| ID.RA (Risk Assessment) | FINRA Rule 4370 Business Continuity | Risk assessment methodology, BCP test results |
| PR.IP (Information Protection) | SEC Regulation S-P | Data classification policy, encryption at rest |
| DE.AE (Anomalies and Events) | FINRA Notice 21-29 | Threat intelligence integration, alert tuning |
| RC.RP (Recovery Planning) | SEC Investment Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-7 | DR procedures, failover test documentation |
GDPR Article 32
| NIST CSF Category | GDPR Requirement | Evidence Artifact |
|---|---|---|
| PR.AC (Access Control) | Art. 32(1)(b) Access Control | MFA configuration, privileged access reviews |
| PR.DS (Data Security) | Art. 32(1)(a) Encryption | Encryption key management, data masking procedures |
| DE.CM (Continuous Monitoring) | Art. 32(1)(d) Security Testing | Penetration test reports, vulnerability scans |
| RS.AN (Analysis) | Art. 33 Breach Notification | Breach assessment procedures, notification logs |
Evidence Library for NIST CSF
Auditors require specific evidence types for each NIST CSF category. We build organized libraries with:
| Control ID | Evidence Type | Owner | Refresh Cadence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ID.AM-1 | Asset inventory with criticality ratings | IT Asset Manager | Quarterly |
| PR.AC-1 | Access control policy and role matrix | Security Officer | Annual |
| PR.DS-1 | Encryption configuration exports | Infrastructure Lead | Semi-annual |
| DE.CM-1 | Continuous monitoring tool configurations | Security Operations | Quarterly |
| RS.RP-1 | Incident response plan and test records | Incident Response Lead | Annual |
| RC.RP-1 | Disaster recovery test results | Business Continuity Manager | Semi-annual |
Automation to Auditor Handoff
Compliance automation tools (Vanta, Secureframe, Drata) generate continuous monitoring data, but auditors often require bridge letters explaining what tools validate versus manual evidence. We prepare handoff packages that:
- Map tool checks to NIST CSF categories: “Vanta daily checks validate PR.AC-1 (MFA enforcement) via Okta API queries”
- Identify gaps requiring manual evidence: “Tool monitors configuration but not PR.AT-1 (security awareness effectiveness); we provide training completion rates and phishing simulation results”
- Translate outputs to auditor formats: Convert JSON exports to narrative control descriptions with timestamps and ownership
Why Bell Tower for NIST CSF
Framework Depth: We implement NIST CSF alongside ISO 27001, CIS Controls, and SOC 2—ensuring unified compliance rather than siloed efforts.
Audit Experience: We’ve guided organizations through NIST-based assessments for healthcare (HIPAA), finance (FINRA/SEC), and digital media platforms.
Evidence Engineering: We know what auditors accept. Our evidence libraries include the specific artifacts that prove control effectiveness, not just policy existence.
Knowledge Transfer: We solve problems and ensure your team understands the framework—building sustainable compliance, not dependency.
Related Resources
- Vendor Review Evidence Checklist — Map NIST CSF controls to Meta, Microsoft SSPA, and Google requirements
- SOC 2 Evidence Library Template — Organize NIST CSF evidence for SOC 2 audits
- ISO 27001 Risk Assessment & Certification Support — Align NIST CSF with ISO 27001
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery — Implement NIST Recover function controls
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does NIST CSF implementation take?
Timeline depends on current maturity. Organizations with existing security programs typically complete initial control mapping in 4-6 weeks. Full implementation with evidence libraries ranges from 3-6 months.
Do we need NIST CSF certification?
NIST CSF is a voluntary framework, not a certifiable standard like ISO 27001. However, many organizations use NIST CSF alignment to demonstrate security maturity to regulators, investors, and partners. We can prepare you for NIST-based assessments or map NIST CSF to certifiable standards.
How does NIST CSF relate to SOC 2?
NIST CSF and SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria overlap significantly. Our crosswalks show how NIST CSF controls satisfy SOC 2 requirements—enabling you to use a single control set for both frameworks. Most organizations align to NIST CSF for internal security and SOC 2 for external attestation.
Can we use NIST CSF for HIPAA compliance?
Yes. The HHS Security Crosswalk maps HIPAA Security Rule requirements directly to NIST CSF categories. Our implementations use this crosswalk to demonstrate HIPAA compliance through NIST CSF alignment, satisfying OCR audit requirements.
What evidence do auditors require for NIST CSF?
Evidence varies by category but generally includes: configuration exports, access logs, test results, policy documents with version control, training records, and incident handling documentation. We organize these into auditor-friendly libraries with clear ownership and refresh schedules.