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The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is specifically designed to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. It provides a flexible and cost-effective approach to help organizations assess their current cybersecurity posture and improve their cybersecurity maturity over time. The framework is built around five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover, which guide organizations in developing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies.

NIST's framework is widely adopted because it accommodates organizations of all sizes and sectors, emphasizing communication and collaboration while aligning with existing policies and practices. This adaptability allows organizations to assess their cybersecurity capabilities, identify gaps, and develop actionable plans, thus systematically enhancing their maturity.

While other frameworks like ISO 27001 and COBIT also focus on aspects of information security and governance, they may not emphasize the continuous improvement of cybersecurity maturity in the same way the NIST framework does. ISO 27001 is more about establishing an information security management system, rather than a step-by-step maturity model, while COBIT aids in governance and management practices. ITIL focuses on IT service management rather than cybersecurity specifically. Therefore, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is particularly recognized for its role in improving organizational cybersecurity maturity systematically.