What does Tier 2 of the NIST Implementation Tiers suggest about cybersecurity awareness?

Tier 2 of the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Implementation Tiers focuses on the organization’s approach to managing cybersecurity risk and how well it can respond to these risks. At this tier, the organization demonstrates a more consistent and repeatable approach to risk management compared to Tier 1, where responses may be ad hoc and reactive.

Specifically, Tier 2 indicates that organizations recognize the importance of cybersecurity awareness but still have limitations in their processes. There is a structured response to risk, though it may not yet be fully aligned across all parts of the organization. This means that while there is some awareness and action taken, it is not fully integrated or uniform, leading to possible inconsistencies.

Effective cybersecurity awareness at this level implies that employees and management alike are more attuned to risks than in Tier 1, but there is still room for improvement in ensuring that cybersecurity practices are consistently applied throughout the organization. This tier signals movement toward a more mature cybersecurity posture but not yet to the full adaptation seen in higher tiers, where integration into overall planning and practices is established.