10 Cybersecurity Frameworks You Should Know About

Top 10 Cybersecurity Frameworks

All cybersecurity frameworks offer enhanced security and risk management, and better alignment with industry standards and regulations. Below are the ten most notable cybersecurity frameworks available.

1. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
2. CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls)
3. COBIT
4. CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)
5. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
6. HITRUST CSF
7. ISO/IEC 27001
8. Katakri
9. SOGP
10. Secure Controls Framework (SCF)

1. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

To strengthen cybersecurity practices, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) introduced the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF), a flexible guide that assists organizations in managing cybersecurity risks effectively. This framework seamlessly integrates with existing security processes across various industries. NIST CSF consists of a collection of functions, categories, subcategories, and various useful references. The functions offer a comprehensive overview of security protocols, while categories and subcategories present specific action plans. Examples of NIST functions and categories include Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. It’s also worth noting that NIST CSF can compliment other security frameworks.

2. CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls)

The CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) are a collection of cybersecurity best practices developed by thousands of cybersecurity professionals through a community consensus process. CIS Controls offer significant benefits, including a simplified approach to threat protection, compliance with United States industry regulations such as PCI DSS and HIPAA, and alignment with business goals.

3. COBIT

COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology) is a comprehensive set of guidelines developed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). Applicable across organizations and industries, COBIT outlines five principles for an effective governance system, which include;

1. Meeting stakeholder needs.
2. Covering the enterprise end to end.
3. Applying a single integrated framework.
4. Enabling a holistic approach.
5. Separating governance from management.

COBIT also provides 40 governance and business management objectives, allowing IT professionals to prioritize or ignore objectives based on stakeholder requirements. These objectives are categorized into domains that align with business processes like planning, creation, and monitoring.

4. CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)

The CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) is a widely recognized cybersecurity framework tailored for cloud computing environments. It acts as a de-facto standard for cloud security, providing guidelines and best practices for organizations to manage cloud risk effectively. The CCM comprises of 16 domains and 133 control objectives designed to streamline cloud security, risk management, and compliance by eliminating the need for multiple frameworks. The CSA and the CCM Working Group actively engage in mapping exercises and gap analyses between the CCM and other industry standards. This ongoing effort ensures alignment with evolving security regulations and best practices.

5. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

PCI DSS is the global security benchmark for organizations handling cardholder data. It aims to protect consumers, minimize fraud, and enhance data security in payment systems. It applies to any entity accepting or processing payment cards. Compliance involves secure card data handling, proper storage, and annual security control validation. Meeting PCI DSS requirements can be complex, but third-party solutions can ease the process. To store data securely, organizations must define the cardholder data environment and segment it appropriately. Annual validation is mandatory, with the method varying based on factors like payment processors and customer requests. PCI DSS version 3.2.1 encompasses 12 primary requirements and over 300 sub-requirements, covering areas like network security, data protection, vulnerability management, and information security policy. The rules are updated every three years with interim revisions throughout the year.

6. HITRUST CSF

The Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) is a healthcare industry-governed organization that established the Common Security Framework (CSF), a certifiable framework that assists healthcare organizations and their providers in demonstrating security and compliance. Expanding upon the HIPAA and HITECH Act, the CSF serves as a standardized compliance framework, assessment, and certification process that incorporates healthcare-specific security, privacy, and other regulatory requirements from existing frameworks like PCI-DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, and MARS-E. Microsoft Azure and Office 365 are the first hyperscale cloud services to receive HITRUST CSF certification. Furthermore, Microsoft supports the HITRUST Shared Responsibility Program.

7. ISO/IEC 27001

The ISO/IEC 27001 standard is probably the most widely recognized information security management systems (ISMS) standard, which focuses on people, policies, and technology. ISO/IEC 27001 outlines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an organization’s ISMS. This standard is applicable to companies of all sizes and across various sectors, providing guidance for managing risks associated with data security. The significance of ISO/IEC 27001 lies in its ability to foster risk awareness, enabling organizations to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities in their information security, particularly in the face of evolving cyber-threats.

8. Katakri

Katakri is an auditing tool employed by authorities to help them evaluate an organization’s ability to protect classified information effectively. The key objective of Katakri is to ensure adequate security measures are in place to prevent the disclosure of classified information across all environments. Notably, facility security clearance obtained through Katakri can be used for both domestic and international projects. It incorporates minimum requirements derived from national legislation and international obligations. However, Katakri refrains from setting absolute information security requirements, instead relying on existing legislation and international obligations.

9. SOGP

The Standard of Good Practice for Information Security (SOGP), developed by the Information Security Forum (ISF), is a pragmatic, comprehensive guide for organizations and their supply chains to detect and mitigate information security risks. The SOGP primarily targets Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), information security managers, business managers, IT managers, internal and external auditors, and IT service providers across various organization sizes.

10. Secure Controls Framework (SCF)

The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is a comprehensive collection of controls for designing, building, and maintaining secure processes, applications, and systems. This meta-framework addresses challenges across people, processes, technology, and data, featuring over 1000 controls aligned with various regulations and standards. The framework is divided into 32 sections covering statutory, regulatory, and contractual cybersecurity and privacy standards. It serves as a long-term instrument for implementing and maintaining security and privacy principles. SCF helps organizations implement a holistic strategy to protect the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and safety (CIAS) of their systems and data.