A Comprehensive Guide to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0

11Asset Management (ID.AM)

In the digital age, the strength of our cybersecurity and operational efficiency lies in the precision with which we manage every asset, turning meticulous oversight into our most formidable shield against disruption.

In cybersecurity and operational efficiency, the meticulous management of an organization’s assets—from hardware, software, services, and data to the detailed mapping of network communications—stands paramount. This comprehensive approach involves the initial inventory and categorization of these assets. It integrates these processes with broader IT and cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring that every phase of an asset’s lifecycle, from acquisition to disposal, is carefully monitored and managed. Key to this management is the regular auditing and updating of inventories to reflect changes, the strategic allocation of security resources based on asset criticality, and the development of robust contingency plans for service disruptions. Moreover, the role of documentation, compliance, and leveraging automated tools cannot be overstated, as they provide the backbone for effective asset and risk management. Through these practices, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture and ensure operational resilience and compliance with regulatory standards, making asset management a cornerstone of modern organizational strategy.

Author’s Note: ID.AM-06 was deprecated from the CSF 2 and is not included in this chapter.

ID.AM-01: Inventories ...