“NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework has provided us with a 

comprehensive roadmap to ensure effective cybersecurity 

practices are implemented across Government.” 

- Hon. Wayne M. Caines, JP, MP., Minister of National 

Security

Benefits Received from Implementing the Framework:

• Alignment of information systems with business security 

needs across ministries and departments.

• Identification of information gaps and security controls 

deficiencies to focus on specific areas for improvement.

• Identification of relevant guidance in each area of 

program development.

• Support of informed governance and management at 

the department, executive and Cabinet levels.

Situation

• Difficult to consistently manage cybersecurity risk across 

all Government ministries and departments.

• Information systems environment contained centralized 

and decentralized components. 

• Security requirements were inconsistently established 

on a system-by-system basis.

• Personal Information Protection Act 2016 established 

penalties including fines and potential imprisonment if 

reasonable security measures are not implemented to 

protect sensitive personal information.

Drivers

• Government’s increasing dependence on Information 

and Communication Technology (ICT) to process 

sensitive information and provide critical services. 

• Cybersecurity seen as an important component to 

economic resilience for the island.

• Cybersecurity leadership needed for Government and 

Critical National Infrastructure entities within the 

jurisdiction.

• Recognition of the need for information systems and 

security governance was met with the political will to 

initiate programs.

• High-profile Fintech Initiatives were launched. 

Drivers (Continued)

• The cyberthreat environment intensified.

• Island needed to increase cyber awareness 

internally and in the wider community.

• Continuous investment was needed by all 

stakeholders in order to enhance their collective 

ability to protect their systems and data. 

Process

• Cabinet Cybersecurity Committee established to 

provide oversight of the Information Systems Risk 

Management Programme development and 

administration.

• Self-assessment performed using the NIST 

Cybersecurity Framework to identify gaps in 

information, control deficiencies and areas of high 

risk.

• Asset identification, valuation and categorization 

performed by each department to reduce 

information gaps identified during the initial selfassessment.

• Control deficiencies and risk ratings identified and

used to create prioritized action plan.

• Results of the self-assessment garnered Cabinet 

support for remediation initiatives. 

NIST

Cybersecurity Framework Success Story

Government of Bermuda

The voluntary Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure 

Cybersecurity was developed through a collaborative process by 

industry, academia, and government stakeholders. It enables 

organizations – regardless of size, sector, degree of cybersecurity risk, 

or cybersecurity sophistication – to apply the principles and best 

practices of risk management to improve security and resilience. NIST 

does not validate or endorse any individual organization or its 

approach to using the Cybersecurity Framework.
CYBERSECURITY FRAMEWORK SUCCESS STORY Government of Bermuda

Process (Continued)

• Informative references used to provide guidance in 

areas such as policy development and 

implementation steps.

• Regular reporting of security posture to Cabinet using 

the Cybersecurity Framework as a dashboard.

• Strategic partnerships with public and private entities 

were formed to develop the jurisdictional 

Cybersecurity Strategy.

Results and Impacts

• Consistent standardized approach to address 

business security across all ministries and 

departments.

• Addressing complex cybersecurity risks across 

organization more manageable.

• Security activities more closely aligned with 

business needs.

• Information System Risk Management Committee

established to ensure program, policies and standards 

were developed in a collaborative manner focused on 

stakeholder needs.

• Development of policies and processes that enable the 

risk management program.

• Close integration with records management and 

privacy policies and processes.

• Implementation of regular training for staff and 

information security professionals.

What’s Next

• Dashboard for system owners and authorizing 

officials.

• Integration of quantitative methods into the risk 

assessment processes.

• Closer work with Government’s Internal Audit 

Department.

• Work with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation 

Unit on jurisdiction-wide cybersecurity response.

• Enhancement of educational programs to encourage 

further integration of computer science in curricula 

and to provide further professional development 

opportunities for information security professionals.

Contact Information & Resources

Government of Bermuda Website:

https://www.gov.bm/

Bermuda contact: sidaniels@gov.bm

NIST Cybersecurity Framework Website: 

https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework

NIST contact: cyberframework@nist.gov