Inside Look into Cybersecurity Frameworks – NIST, CIS, ISO, and More

Cybersecurity has emerged as a key problem for global companies in today’s digital age and having cybersecurity frameworks has become more important for companies against potential cyberattacks. According to a recent insight study, more than 70% of company leaders lack confidence in their organizations’ ability to defend against possible cyber threats. In response to the concerns, companies need to implement sophisticated cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive data, mitigate risks, and comply with regulatory requirements.

What’s a Cybersecurity Framework?

Cybersecurity frameworks are essentially a set of standards, guidelines, and best practices for dealing with potential threats in digital environments. The cybersecurity frameworks generally connect security goals, including prohibiting unauthorized system access, with protective measures requiring a username and password. Cybersecurity frameworks provide a universal terminology and set of guidelines for global security professionals and sectors to understand their security postures and their suppliers. Implementing cybersecurity frameworks dramatically simplifies the process of building the methods and protocols required for companies to evaluate, monitor, and mitigate cybersecurity threats.

Why Are Cybersecurity Frameworks Important?

Cybersecurity frameworks provide companies with best practices and recommendations for protecting their systems, networks, and data. By adopting these frameworks, companies may nurture a secure environment and reduce the likelihood of data breaches and cyberattacks. Adopting cybersecurity frameworks can help companies recognize and control risks, detect and respond to digital threats, and recover from cyber-related incidents. Companies can create credibility with clients and stakeholders by implementing security measures and demonstrating their commitment to maintaining confidential data’s safety while meeting the requirements of relevant legislation and regulations.

Types of Cybersecurity Frameworks

1. Control Framework – The Control framework provides specific controls or safety precautions companies can use to protect their information systems and data. The cybersecurity frameworks give a set of recommendations for companies to follow to reduce the threat of cyberattacks.
2. Program Framework – Program frameworks that focus on developing and implementing cybersecurity programs. The cybersecurity frameworks guide optimal ways to develop, implement, and maintain a tailored cybersecurity program that meets companies’ requirements. Tasks include risk assessment, policy formulation, training, awareness, incident response planning, and continuous observation and improvement.
3. Risk Framework – Risk frameworks are critical for companies in identifying, assessing, and controlling cybersecurity risks. The essential tools provide a systematic approach to risk management, allowing companies to identify and prioritize potential threats, evaluate the likelihood and implications of the threats, and develop plans to mitigate or manage the risks. The fundamental goal of risk cybersecurity frameworks is to assist organizations in maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture and protecting their systems and information from cyber threats.

The Different Cybersecurity Frameworks

Because various cybersecurity frameworks are available, companies must carefully assess which framework best meets their specific goals and expectations. All cybersecurity frameworks address numerous cybersecurity challenges, risks, and compliance requirements.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) – The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is widely recognized and highly regarded in the United States and was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its main goal is to give companies a structured way to manage and enhance their cybersecurity risk management procedures. The framework, which provides a comprehensive set of guidelines, best practices, and recommendations, has become the gold standard for measuring cybersecurity maturity, finding security gaps, and complying with cybersecurity regulations. NIST is based on five main functions, each representing a different component of cybersecurity risk management.

1. Identify – It comprehends and manages companies’ specific cybersecurity risks. It entails compiling a list of critical assets, recognizing their importance and vulnerabilities, and identifying internal and external threats. Companies can understand their cybersecurity posture by conducting an in-depth review of their systems, networks, and data, allowing them to make informed decisions about resource allocation and risk reduction methods.
2. Protect – It focuses on safeguarding recognized risks, including policies, procedures, and technologies to protect critical infrastructure, systems, and data. Access controls, encryption, secure setups, training programs, and a robust incident response strategy are all important methods to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents’ impact.
3. Detect – Early detection of cybersecurity incidents is emphasized through monitoring systems, threat intelligence, and ongoing detection methods. It helps companies quickly respond and mitigate threats, reducing operational damage and harm.
4. Respond – describes how companies need to handle cybersecurity problems, including developing an incident response strategy, assigning roles, and establishing communication channels. The method manages and recovers from incidents as quickly as possible, minimizing damage and disruption to companies’ operations.
5. Recover – Strives to recover systems, services, and data damaged by cybersecurity attacks. It entails developing and implementing system, data, and business continuity recovery strategies. It allows companies to quickly resume regular operations following an incident and minimize the impact on companies and stakeholders.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is the internationally recognized cybersecurity standard that strives to help companies protect their information assets while complying with any legal and regulatory requirements. The framework specifies the requirements for developing, implementing, and administering an information security management system (ISMS). The framework helps companies to develop a continuous risk management process, identify and assess information security risks and implement appropriate controls to mitigate them. ISO 27001 improves organizational resilience against security incidents and maintains operations by supporting incident response, and company continuity plans for quick recovery and minimal disruptions.

SOC2 (Service Organization Control 2)

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) designed the Service Organization Control (SOC) Type 2, a security framework and audit standard based on trust, to ensure the secure management of clients’ information by vendors and partners. Over 60 regulatory obligations and rigorous examination methods for external controls are outlined in the SOC2 standard. The auditing process can continue up to a year, following which a report certifying the vendors’ cybersecurity posture is provided. SOC2 is one of the most challenging frameworks to implement because of its broad nature, especially for financial and banking institutions that must comply to a more severe compliance level than other companies. SOC2 compliance offers independent assurance of companies’ commitment to security and privacy. It ensures clients that their data is treated with care and that the essential controls are in place to secure it.

Additionally, SOC2 complies with numerous regulatory requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) SOC2 compliance can assist companies in meeting their legal and regulatory obligations. SOC2 assessments offer companies information about their security and privacy controls. Companies can improve their risk management strategies and overall security posture by identifying areas for improvement. SOC2 compliance is essential for evaluating potential vendors for companies that rely on third-party service providers. It ensures that the service provider implements appropriate controls to protect clients’ data.

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a framework that provides globally recognized and followed recommendations to improve the security of debit, credit, and cash card transactions. Its primary goal is to protect cardholders’ personal information and prevent fraud. PCI compliance requires companies to follow two essential rules: protecting cardholders’ data during transmission and storage and confirming customers’ information for transaction processing. The rules need to be followed by every company. The Payment Card, Industry Security Standards Council, monitors the standard card brands must follow.

NERC-CIP

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC-CIP) framework includes cybersecurity guidelines explicitly designed for the North American electric utility industry, improving security and dependability in the bulk power system. The framework requires companies to identify and mitigate third-party cyber threats inside their supply chain. NERC-CIP compliance requires setting access controls, incident response plans, and periodic security assessments to protect critical infrastructure. Utilities are audited to ensure standard compliance, with non-compliance resulting in penalties and sanctions.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA serves as a cybersecurity framework, requiring healthcare organizations to implement safeguards and maintain the confidentiality of digital health data. According to HIPAA, in addition to demonstrating adherence to cyber risk management best practices, including employee training, organizations in the industry must also conduct risk assessments to control and detect emerging threats.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was enacted in 2016 to improve data security measures and procedures for European Union (EU) citizens. The regulation applies to all organizations based in the EU or any company collecting and storing EU citizens’ private information, including companies in the United States. The framework contains 99 provisions relating to companies’ obligations to adhere to compliance, including consumer rights to access their data, data safeguarding policies and processes, mandatory data breach notifications (for example, companies must notify their national regulatory authority within 72 hours of detecting a breach), and other aspects.

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) is a comprehensive cybersecurity framework that protects federal government data and systems against cyber threats. FISMA also applies to third parties and contractors who work for federal agencies. The FISMA framework, which closely follows NIST standards, requires agencies and third parties to retain a record of their digital resources and recognize any links across networks and systems. Critical data must be classified based on risk, and security methods must meet FIPS and NIST 800 minimum security criteria. Additionally, affected companies must do cybersecurity risk assessments and yearly security audits and regularly monitor their IT framework.

Cybersecurity frameworks provide a beneficial (and frequently required) foundation for incorporating cybersecurity risk control into companies’ security performance management and external risk management approaches. Using cybersecurity frameworks as a reference point, companies will gain a critical understanding of their most significant security risks and be confident in communicating their commitment to security excellence to all companies. Numerous industries maintain internal compliance guidelines or are legally required to adhere to specific data security guidelines. Examples include HIPAA for healthcare providers, BSA for financial services, and the Safeguards Rule for automotive dealers or money lenders. Because SpearTip works with businesses in dozens of industries, we must maintain deep knowledge of the various regulatory environments to ensure our partners meet and exceed compliance requirements. As such, we follow best practices and industry standards to serve our partners’ interests. In our efforts to maintain strict controls for data access, cybersecurity providers, including SpearTip, adopt CMMC standards and apply the safeguards to partner businesses. The safeguards we apply to our partners cover numerous key measures that optimize data security: configuration management, identification and authentication, audit and accountability, access controls, system and communications protection, and system and information integrity.

If your company is experiencing a breach, call our Security Operations Centers at 833.997.7327 to speak directly with an engineer.