The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) is a set of guidelines developed by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to help organisations manage and improve their cybersecurity. It is particularly aimed at organisations responsible for critical services, such as electricity, healthcare, and transportation, but it can also be used by other sectors to enhance their cyber resilience.
Purpose of the CAF
The CAF provides a structured way to assess how well an organisation is managing cyber risks. It focuses on protecting essential functions from cyber threats and ensuring they can continue to operate even in the face of attacks. Rather than being a rigid checklist, the framework is outcome-based, meaning it describes what good cybersecurity looks like while allowing flexibility in how these outcomes are achieved.
Structure of the CAF
The framework is organised into four high-level objectives, each broken down into 14 principles that detail specific areas of focus:
- Managing Security Risk (Objective A):
- Covers governance, risk management, asset management, and supply chain security.
- Ensures organisations have clear policies and processes to identify and manage risks.
- Protecting Against Cyber Attack (Objective B):
- Includes identity and access control, data security, system security, resilient networks, and staff training.
- Focuses on preventing attacks by securing systems, data, and user access.
- Detecting Cyber Security Events (Objective C):
- Involves security monitoring and anomaly detection.
- Ensures organisations can spot potential cyber threats quickly.
- Minimising the Impact of Incidents (Objective D):
- Covers response planning and continuous improvement.
- Helps organisations recover from attacks while learning lessons to prevent future incidents.
How the CAF Works
Organisations can use the CAF in two ways:
- Self-Assessment: The organisation evaluates its own cybersecurity practices against the framework’s principles.
- External Assessment: A regulator or qualified third party conducts an independent review.
Each principle includes “Indicators of Good Practice” (IGPs), which provide detailed guidance on how to achieve the desired outcomes.
Benefits of Using the CAF
- Improved Cyber Resilience: Helps organisations identify weaknesses and strengthen their defences.
- Flexibility: Can be tailored to different industries and organisational needs.
- Compliance Support: Assists organisations in meeting regulatory requirements, such as those under the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations.
- Proactive Approach: Encourages continuous improvement rather than reactive fixes.
Who Should Use the CAF?
The CAF is designed for organisations managing critical services but is also valuable for any business looking to enhance its cybersecurity posture. It has been adopted by sectors such as healthcare (e.g., NHS Digital) and government bodies under initiatives like GovAssure.
In Summary
The NCSC’s Cyber Assessment Framework provides a practical and adaptable approach to managing cybersecurity risks. By focusing on outcomes rather than rigid rules, it helps organisations build robust defences while maintaining flexibility to address their unique challenges.
Next Step
Engage with Somniac Security, we can help you build and maintain the appropriate strategies and processes for your organisation which enable you to effectively manage your cybersecurity risks. Contact us at info@somniacsecurity.com today to help safeguard your business against tomorrow’s challenges!
