ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 · 3.In its second version, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a comprehensive set of best practices for organizations seeking to improve their cybersecurity posture. It includes detailed guidance on risk management, asset management, identity and access control, incident response planning, supply chain management, and more. Building on previous versions, version 2.0 of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework was released in February 2024 and includes new features that highlight the importance of governance and supply chains. Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity for small businesses, NIST also published resources designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with modest or no cybersecurity plans currently available.
MSPs can take advantage of these tools to help customers strengthen their cybersecurity posture. ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 are two of the most common standards for information security management today. These standards provide a comprehensive framework for organizations seeking to protect their data through strong policies and best practices. ISO 27001 is an international standard that provides a systematic approach to risk assessment, control selection and implementation.
It includes the requirements for establishing an information security management system (ISMS). ISO 27002 is a code of practice that describes more specific and detailed cybersecurity controls. When implemented together, these two standards provide organizations with a comprehensive approach to managing information security. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) control framework provides best practices for organizations seeking to protect their networks from cyber threats.
This framework includes 20 controls that cover many areas of cybersecurity, including access control, asset management, and incident response. The service organization control framework (SOC) is an auditing standard used by external auditors to evaluate the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of a company's systems and services. SOC2 is one of the most prevalent standards in this framework, designed specifically for cloud service providers. A board of major payment processors developed the data security standard for the payment card industry (PCI-DSS) to protect customer payment card data.
This standard provides a comprehensive set of requirements designed to help organizations protect their systems and prevent unauthorized access to customer information. The PCI-DSS framework includes 12 requirements that organizations must meet to protect customer data. These requirements cover access control, network security, and the storage of data specific to the payment processing industry. It also includes measures to protect customer payment card data, including encryption and tokenization technologies.
Developed by the Information Systems Auditing and Control Association (ISACA), Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT) is a comprehensive framework designed to help organizations manage their IT resources more effectively. This framework provides best practices for governance, risk management and cybersecurity. COBIT also includes detailed security and data protection guidelines, covering the areas of access control, user authentication, encryption, audit logging, and incident response. These guidelines provide organizations with a comprehensive set of measures that can be used to protect their systems from cyberthreats.
Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the ISO 27001 and ISO 27002 certifications are considered the international cybersecurity standard for validating a cybersecurity program internally and between third parties. The SOC2 specifies more than 60 compliance requirements and comprehensive auditing processes for third-party systems and controls. Audits can take a year to complete. At that time, a report is issued that accredits the position of the suppliers in terms of cybersecurity.
Because of its breadth, SOC2 is one of the most difficult security frameworks to implement, especially for organizations in the financial or banking sector that face higher compliance standards than other sectors. CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) provide a simple, prioritized and prescriptive collection of best practices to improve cybersecurity posture. Thousands of cybersecurity experts around the world use and develop these controls through a community consensus process. The Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies (COBIT) are a framework designed for IT governance.
It helps companies adopt, monitor and improve best practices in IT management. Developed by ISACA, COBIT serves to connect technical challenges, business risks and control needs. The CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) serves as a cybersecurity control framework designed specifically for cloud computing. It includes 197 control objectives organized in 17 domains, covering the entire spectrum of technology in the cloud.
This matrix is useful for the methodical evaluation of cloud implementations and provides advice on assigning security controls between different participants in the cloud supply chain. HITRUST CSF is a certifiable framework that provides organizations with an efficient method for managing compliance with regulations and standards, as well as risk management. It provides the necessary framework, clarity, guidance and connections to authorized sources, allowing organizations around the world to ensure compliance with data protection mandates. While security ratings are an excellent way to demonstrate that attention is paid to the organization's standard cyber health, it is also necessary to demonstrate that regulatory and industry best practices in IT security are being met and that informed long-term decisions are being made.
Cybersecurity frameworks provide a useful (and often mandatory) basis for integrating cybersecurity risk management into your security performance management and third-party risk management strategy. Therefore, a security framework can be considered the cornerstone of your organization's security program. The Standard of Good Practices for Information Security (SOGP) provides practical and reliable guidance on business-focused information security issues. They help IT security professionals and security teams keep their organizations in compliance and protect themselves from cyber threats.
A cybersecurity framework provides a common language and set of standards for security leaders in all countries and industries to understand their security postures and those of their vendors. Sensitive information must be classified according to risk, and security controls must meet the minimum security standards defined in the FIPS and NIST 800 guidelines. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a security standard for managing credit card information from major card issuers. Help develop a minimum security base and prioritize the implementation of security measures as part of a tactical roadmap.
HITRUST CSF improves the security of healthcare organizations and technology providers by combining elements from other security frameworks. Now in version 8, the CIS critical security controls describe, as the name suggests, critical security controls. A security framework defines policies and procedures for establishing and maintaining security controls. Katakri, created by the Finnish National Security Authority, is designed to ensure that the target organization maintains sufficient security measures.
While security frameworks can help clarify what critical security controls organizations must implement to protect their data, compliance can remain complex.
