NIST: CSF2.0
- Brian Couzens
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
NIST CSF 2.0 may be one of the most important Quantum Readiness frameworks available today.
Not because it contains a section on quantum computing.
It doesn't.
Not because it tells organisations which algorithms to deploy.
It doesn't do that either.
What CSF 2.0 does provide is something far more important.
Governance.
The 2024 update elevated governance to a core function, recognising that cybersecurity is no longer solely a technology challenge. It is a board, executive and organisational responsibility.
That matters because Quantum Readiness is not fundamentally a technology problem.
It is a governance problem.
Organisations preparing for the quantum era must understand:
• What assets they are protecting• Which services and mission-critical functions depend upon them• How long information must remain secure• Which suppliers and third parties introduce risk• Who owns decision-making and accountability• How resilience will be maintained during transformation
These are governance questions long before they become technology questions.
The six core functions of CSF 2.0 provide a useful structure for Quantum Readiness:
Govern – Establish accountability, oversight and risk ownership.
Identify – Understand assets, dependencies, services and exposure.
Protect – Implement appropriate safeguards and controls.
Detect – Identify emerging threats and changing risk conditions.
Respond – Manage incidents and disruption effectively.
Recover – Restore services and strengthen resilience.
The organisations that achieve Quantum Readiness will not necessarily be those that deploy new technology first.
They will be the organisations that establish governance, understand dependencies, manage risk and make defensible decisions before the pressure arrives.
Quantum Readiness is not simply about technology.
It is about governance, resilience and organisational accountability.
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