Top 16 Cyber Security Framework Commonly Used

Introduction

Cybersecurity frameworks provide essential best practices to help organizations prevent and mitigate risks related to unauthorized access and data tampering. As data and technology become increasingly interconnected, it is crucial for organizations to safeguard their IT systems against digital threats. This article explores 16 cybersecurity frameworks that ensure the safety and security of your system, providing peace of mind.

What are Cyber Security Frameworks and Standards?

Cybersecurity frameworks are a set of guidelines, policies, and procedures that organizations follow to protect their systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. These frameworks provide a structured approach towards implementing cybersecurity measures and help organizations identify, assess, and manage cyber risks.

Implementing a comprehensive security framework provides organizations with a wealth of guidance and standards. These resources aid in identifying threats, determining necessary protective measures, establishing risk-reducing policies, and developing processes that prioritize the security of user data above all else. Moreover, these frameworks facilitate swift responses to security breaches.

Cybersecurity frameworks not only provide guidelines but also offer organizations the flexibility to tailor their approach in safeguarding sensitive information. Some frameworks offer general guidance, while others provide specific steps to proactively address risks. This empowers companies to customize their protection strategies based on their unique needs, even when utilizing the same framework, ensuring effective cybersecurity measures.

ISO 27000 Information Security Management System (ISMS) series

ISO 27000 is a series of standards that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continuously improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for organizations to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their sensitive information. The ISO 27000 series includes over 40 standards covering various aspects of information security such as risk management, security controls, incident management, and compliance.

One of the key benefits of implementing ISO 27000 is its international recognition. Being an internationally accepted standard means that organizations can demonstrate their commitment to information security to clients, partners, and stakeholders from around the world. This can enhance their reputation and credibility in a global marketplace increasingly concerned with data protection.

Here are more details about each standard:

• ISO 27001 / ISO 27002: ISO 27001 provides a framework for safeguarding data against unauthorized access or destruction. It includes requirements for IT infrastructure, physical security, networking security, application security, system availability, business continuity planning, and personnel measures. ISO 27002 offers additional guidance on implementing the controls specified by ISO 27001, providing guidelines for selecting appropriate technical and organizational measures.

• ISO 27018: ISO 27018 is an international standard for Personal Data Protection in the Cloud. It provides guidelines for cloud service providers on how to protect and secure personal data in the cloud. It specifically addresses aspects such as data encryption, identity verification, access control, and risk management.

• ISO 27031: ISO 27031 specifies the requirements and best practices for organizations to protect their data and systems during a disaster or crisis. The goal of ISO 27031 is to help organizations mitigate risks associated with IT interruptions, such as data loss, extended recovery times, damage to reputation, and financial losses.

• ISO 27037: ISO 27037 is an international standard for digital forensics. It focuses on the collection and preservation of digital evidence for countering cybercrime. ISO 27037 provides guidelines for organizations to safeguard digital evidence, including acquisition, handling, and storage of data.

• ISO 27040: ISO 27040 is an international standard for information storage, preservation, and management. It outlines principles and guidelines to ensure the optimal preservation of digital data.

• ISO 27701: ISO 27701 helps organizations ensure the security of personal data and efficiently manage all forms of personal data within their environment. It supports organizations in developing policies, procedures, and processes to enforce the highest level of confidentiality in protecting citizens’ personal data.

• ISO 27799: ISO 27799 outlines security measures, procedures, and strategies for managing healthcare data in a secure environment. The standard covers areas such as access control, data integrity, and encryption of PHI stored on systems.

SOC 2

Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 is a technical audit and certification process created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It focuses on the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data stored in the cloud. This certification is essential for companies that provide services to other organizations, such as SaaS providers.

• Security: SOC 2 requires organizations to have sufficient security measures in place to protect against unauthorized access, theft, and misuse of sensitive data. These measures can include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, access controls, and more.

• Availability: SOC 2 also requires organizations to have policies and procedures in place to ensure their services are available for use. This includes having backups, disaster recovery plans, and monitoring systems in place.

• Processing Integrity: This principle focuses on ensuring that data is processed accurately and completely. Organizations must have controls in place to prevent errors or omissions in the processing of customer data.

• Confidentiality: SOC 2 requires organizations to have measures in place to protect the confidentiality of customer data. This includes encryption, access controls, and policies for handling sensitive information.

• Privacy: The privacy principle focuses on how organizations collect, use, retain, disclose, and dispose of personal information. It requires organizations to comply with relevant privacy laws and regulations, such as the GDPR or CCPA.

Obtaining a SOC 2 report involves a detailed process that starts with an assessment of an organization’s information systems over a period of time, typically not less than six months. This is carried out by an external auditor, who evaluates the organization’s systems against the Trust Services Principles defined by the AICPA.

Organizations should note that obtaining a SOC 2 report is not a one-time process. Regular audits are necessary to maintain certification and ensure continuous compliance. This means that organizations must consistently uphold the Trust Services Principles and regularly review and improve their controls to meet changing security requirements.

PCI DSS

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security requirements developed by major card providers like Visa and Mastercard. Its purpose is to ensure that merchants and service providers maintain secure systems when storing, processing, or transmitting payment card information. By doing so, PCI DSS aims to reduce fraud and safeguard consumers’ sensitive information.

PCI DSS, at its core, aids merchants in preventing threats by implementing appropriate data protection measures. These measures include setting up firewalls, encrypting credit card transmissions, updating software regularly, monitoring access logs, implementing limited access policies, restricting physical access to cardholder data, testing security systems, ensuring compliance of third-party vendors, and maintaining an Information Security Policy document outlining cyber risk assessment procedures and customer privacy protection.

Organizations can demonstrate compliance with PCI DSS by undergoing a thorough audit conducted by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). The QSA evaluates all elements of the organization’s payment card data processing system, including the IT environment, operational procedures, and security policies. Upon completion of the audit, if the organization meets all the requirements, they receive a Report on Compliance (ROC) which can be furnished to stakeholders as proof of adherence to PCI DSS standards.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework CSF

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a voluntary guideline created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help organizations mitigate cybersecurity risks. The framework consists of five core functions – Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover – which provide a comprehensive approach to managing and improving an organization’s cybersecurity posture.

• Identify: Organizations must identify critical assets such as sensitive data, infrastructure, and systems that need protection. This includes conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats.

• Protect: Organizations must implement safeguards to protect their assets from cyber attacks. These include access controls, encryption, firewalls, and secure configurations.

• Detect: Organizations must have continuous monitoring processes in place to detect any suspicious activity or anomalies in their systems. This allows for timely response and mitigation of potential cyber threats.

• Respond: In the event of a cybersecurity incident, organizations must have procedures in place to respond quickly and effectively. This includes containment, eradication, and recovery measures.

• Recover: Organizations must be able to restore their systems and operations in the aftermath of a cyber attack. This includes having backups, disaster recovery plans, and business continuity procedures in place.

Adopting the NIST CSF can help organizations improve their overall cybersecurity posture and reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack. It provides a common language and framework for communication and collaboration among different departments within an organization, as well as with external stakeholders such as vendors and partners.

In addition to the five core functions, the NIST CSF also includes categories and subcategories that provide more specific guidance for implementing cybersecurity measures. These categories include Asset Management, Awareness and Training, Data Security, Information Protection Processes and Procedures, Maintenance, Protective Technology, Recovery Planning, Risk Assessment, Security Continuous Monitoring, Situational Awareness, System and Communications Protection, and System and Information Integrity.

The NIST CSF is a dynamic framework that can be tailored to fit the unique needs and risk profile of each organization. It allows organizations to assess their current cybersecurity posture, identify areas of improvement, and prioritize investments in cybersecurity resources.

CIS Critical Security Controls

The CIS Critical Security Controls (CSC) are a recommended set of actions for cybersecurity defense in an organization. Developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), these controls provide a prioritized approach to strengthen an organization’s ability to identify, detect, respond and recover from cyber attacks.

There are 20 CSCs that offer specific implementation strategies for organizations to improve their cybersecurity posture. These controls include measures such as inventory and control of hardware, software, and network devices; continuous vulnerability management; secure configuration for hardware and software on mobile devices, laptops, workstations, and servers; controlled use of administrative privileges; incident response and management; data recovery capability; security skills assessment and appropriate training.

The CIS CSCs provide a comprehensive framework that covers basic security measures as well as more advanced practices. Implementing these controls can help organizations better manage threats and mitigate the risk of cyber attacks.

CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) offers the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM), an information security framework that helps organizations implement robust security measures for cloud computing environments. Developed with input from various stakeholders, the CCM provides a set of control objectives and controls tailored to cloud environments. It serves as the foundation for a comprehensive risk management program.COBIT

The essential components of the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) function as an integrated system to foster robust security within cloud computing environments. The Control Domains establish broad areas of security control, such as Governance & Risk Management or Data Security, providing a structured approach to diverse security issues. Within these domains, Control Categories further specialize the focus, addressing specific areas like Authentication & Authorization or Encryption & Key Management. These categories are then operationalized through individual Controls, each comprising a clear objective and detailed implementation specifications. In essence, these components collectively provide a comprehensive and nuanced framework for implementing and managing cloud security.

One of the pivotal features of the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is its alignment with other internationally recognized security standards and best practices. This compatibility enables organizations to integrate the CCM seamlessly into their existing security frameworks, thereby enhancing their overall security posture. For instance, CCM has a clear alignment with ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002, widely accepted international standards for information security management systems. In addition, the Matrix also corresponds to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a critical standard for organizations processing credit card transactions.

The Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is an invaluable resource for organizations looking to strengthen their cloud computing environments with robust security measures. Developed collaboratively by a diverse range of stakeholders, the CCM provides a comprehensive set of control objectives and controls specifically designed for cloud environments. These controls form a solid foundation for any organization’s risk management program.

COBIT

COBIT, also known as Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology, stands as an IT governance framework meticulously crafted by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). Its core objective is to aid organizations in efficiently managing their IT processes, guaranteeing compliance with regulations, and elevating IT infrastructure management to new heights. COBIT is widely recognized as one of the leading frameworks for IT governance, and it has been adopted by organizations across various industries worldwide.

The COBIT framework operates on several pivotal principles that underpin its effectiveness as an IT governance model.

1. Meeting Stakeholder Needs: COBIT ensures that enterprise objectives are achieved by aligning IT goals with business goals, creating a link between business requirements and IT processes.

2. Covering the Enterprise End-to-End: Unlike other frameworks that focus strictly on IT, COBIT covers all functions within an organization, incorporating all information and related technology.

3. Applying a Single, Integrated Framework: COBIT allows for the integration of various sources of IT governance, which can be tailored according to an organization’s needs.

4. Enabling a Holistic Approach: COBIT provides a holistic approach to IT governance by considering all enablers, including processes, structures, culture, ethics, information, skills, and infrastructure.

5. Separating Governance from Management: COBIT distinctly separates governance (setting direction, monitoring performance, and compliance) from management (planning, building, running, and monitoring operations), ensuring clarity and efficiency within the organization.

Implementing COBIT in an organization requires a thoughtful, structured approach to ensure its effectiveness. Initially, it is crucial to understand the current state of the organization’s IT governance and identify areas for improvement. This can be achieved through a thorough assessment and benchmarking exercise. Once the gaps have been identified, the organization can prioritize its needs and align them with its business objectives.

Overall, COBIT offers a comprehensive set of best practices, processes, and controls to ensure organizations can effectively manage their IT processes while aligning with business goals.

HITRUST CSF

HITRUST (Health Information Trust Alliance) is a non-profit organization that provides a common security framework for the healthcare industry. The HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework) is a comprehensive and flexible set of controls and requirements designed to address the unique challenges faced by healthcare organizations in managing information risk.

The HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is a comprehensive set of security controls designed specifically for healthcare organizations. The CSF integrates various international and domestic information security standards, including HIPAA, NIST, ISO, and COBIT. This holistic approach ensures that healthcare organizations can consistently adhere to regulatory requirements while also meeting industry best practices for data protection.

The HITRUST MyCSF solution offers organizations a unified platform to implement risk management initiatives across their global operations. This platform utilizes a standardized set of security practices and enables various tasks such as identifying data locations, detecting vulnerabilities, monitoring system performance, implementing secure access measures, documenting compliance policies and procedures, and measuring operational efficiency against industry benchmarks. With HITRUST MyCSF, organizations can streamline their risk management efforts and ensure a secure and efficient operational environment.

GDPR Compliance

With the increasing number of data breaches and cyber threats, governments around the world have implemented regulations to protect consumers’ personal information. One such regulation is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which aims to safeguard the privacy and rights of European Union (EU) citizens.

The requirements of the GDPR encompass aspects like obtaining valid consent from individuals before processing their personal data, enabling individuals to access their data, and allowing them to erase, rectify, or transfer their data. Moreover, organizations are expected to implement appropriate security measures to avoid data breaches.

In case of a data breach, GDPR mandates that organizations should notify the relevant supervisory authority without undue delay and, where feasible, not later than 72 hours after becoming aware of the breach. The individuals whose data has been affected may also need to be notified, depending on the potential risk to their rights and freedoms.

Failure to comply with GDPR can lead to severe penalties. Administrative fines can reach up to 20 million Euros or 4% of the global annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher. The penalties depend on the severity of the infringement, with breaches of certain provisions carrying higher penalties than others.

National Capabilities Assessment Framework ENISA

The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has developed the National Capabilities Assessment Framework (NCAF) to help EU member states assess and improve their cybersecurity capabilities. This framework provides a structured method to evaluate the current state of a country’s cybersecurity capacity across various dimensions.

The NCAF methodology consists of four primary components:

• Capability Areas: These are specific domains of cybersecurity such as governance, incident response, and risk management.

• Capability Elements: These are specific aspects within each capability area, which outline the necessary functions to achieve good cybersecurity. For example, the “incident response” capability area has elements such as detection, analysis, and recovery.

• Assessment Criteria: These are the standards against which a country’s capabilities are evaluated. The NCAF uses a four-level maturity model to assess each element within a capability area.

• Assessment Methodology: This outlines the process for collecting and analyzing data to evaluate a country’s cybersecurity capabilities. It includes methods such as self-assessment, interviews, and document review.

The NCAF assessment enables countries to identify their strengths and weaknesses in cybersecurity and develop action plans to enhance their capabilities. Additionally, it provides a common language and framework for cooperation and information sharing between member states.

NIST 800-53

NIST Special Publication 800-53 provides guidelines for federal agencies in the United States regarding information security and risk management. This document outlines a comprehensive set of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations, including those that process, store, or transmit sensitive government data.

The NIST 800-53 standard is based on a risk management approach to cybersecurity. It aims to help organizations select and implement the most appropriate security controls to protect against various types of threats. The document also provides guidance on monitoring these controls to ensure their effectiveness and identifies additional controls to consider based on the organization’s risk assessment.

NIST 800-171

NIST 800-171 is a complementary set of standards and guidelines designed specifically for non-federal organizations that handle sensitive government information. These guidelines are based on the same principles as NIST 800-53 but provide more flexibility for smaller organizations that may not have the resources to implement all of its requirements.

Similar to NIST 800-53, this document includes 14 control families, such as access control and incident response, that cover all aspects of information security. However, in NIST 800-171, these controls are divided into basic and derived requirements based on the sensitivity level of the data being handled. This allows organizations to focus their efforts and resources on protecting the most critical information first.

Compliance with NIST 800-171 not only safeguards private data but also ensures adherence to security regulations imposed by governing bodies. Organizations that handle confidential or sensitive data should prioritize compliance with NIST 800-171 standards to avoid potential penalties or fines. By implementing the recommended security measures, organizations can effectively safeguard their data from hackers and other malicious actors seeking unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

The US Department of Defense identified the need for stricter cybersecurity standards for organizations that handle sensitive government data. This led to the creation of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), a new security framework that builds upon NIST 800-171.

The CMMC process mandates that organizations conform to well-defined security processes and guidelines, classified into five levels spanning from fundamental cybersecurity practices (Level 1) to cutting-edge and progressive cybersecurity measures (Level 5). As organizations advance through the certification process, they implement additional safeguards at each level, resulting in comprehensive protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

As organizations increasingly rely on digital infrastructure and technology, striving for CMMC compliance becomes crucial. By mandating suppliers to achieve CMMC compliance, the Department of Defense (DoD) ensures effective safeguarding of their data against cyber threats like malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and other cybercrimes. Moreover, besides protecting against malicious actors, the CMMC enhances organizational efficiency by establishing a common framework for suppliers. This simplifies communication and facilitates assessments of adherence to established standards, ultimately improving overall cybersecurity measures.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 encompasses a set of federal laws in the United States. Its primary aim is to ensure the privacy and security of patients’ medical records and personal health information. HIPAA applies to various entities like doctors, hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies, and it imposes consistent standards for handling protected health information (PHI). This legislation also empowers individuals by granting them greater control over their own data.

Organizations subject to HIPAA must comply with strict security and privacy rules, including conducting risk assessments, implementing technical safeguards, and training employees on safeguarding PHI. Failure to comply can lead to severe consequences such as large fines and reputational damage.

HIPAA outlines three types of safeguards – administrative, physical, and technical – to ensure the robust protection of PHI.

• Administrative Safeguards involve implementing policies and procedures to manage the conduct of the workforce and the security measures that protect electronic PHI. These safeguards may include risk management processes, workforce training, and contingency plans.

• Physical Safeguards focus on limiting physical access to data. They involve measures such as controlling access to facilities, securing workstations, maintaining device and media controls, and implementing policies for the transfer, removal, disposal, and re-use of electronic media.

• Technical Safeguards, on the other hand, involve the use of technology to protect PHI and control access to it. These safeguards may include access controls, audit controls, integrity controls, and transmission security measures. While these safeguards must be implemented, HIPAA provides flexibility allowing an organization to choose solutions that are appropriate for its operations and risk environment.

FISMA

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) was enacted in 2002 as part of the Electronic Government Act. Its primary purpose is to strengthen information security within federal agencies and departments. FISMA requires all government organizations to develop, document, and implement an agency-wide information security program that follows a risk-based approach.

To comply with FISMA, agencies must conduct regular risk assessments, implement security controls to protect their systems and data, and continually monitor their effectiveness. These security controls include access controls, identification and authentication processes, incident response plans, and security training for employees.

FISMA aims to bolster protection against cyberattacks, reducing the organization’s information security risks of data loss or theft. It establishes contemporary standards and protocols for government agencies to adhere to as technology progresses and fresh vulnerabilities arise, safeguarding critical data with utmost care.

FISMA has significantly influenced cybersecurity initiatives, by unifying and organizing previously fragmented efforts across federal organizations. This legislation provides consistent regulations for government agencies to follow when developing their cyber defense strategies. Moreover, these standardized rules foster collaboration and the exchange of best practices among departments, enhancing their ability to effectively combat cyber threats.

OWASP Top 10 (2021)

The 2021 edition of the OWASP Top 10 highlights the ongoing evolution of web security threats and emphasizes the need for organizations to adopt an agile approach to cybersecurity. One significant addition is insecure design, a broad category that stresses the importance of incorporating security in the design phase of software development. By taking a proactive stance, security professionals can potentially avoid many of the other risks specified in the list.

The OWASP Top 10 for 2021 comprises a compilation of the utmost critical security risks faced by web applications. This comprehensive list encompasses the following:

1. A01:2021 – Broken Access Control: This refers to situations where restrictions on authenticated users are improperly enforced.

2. A02:2021 – Cryptographic Failures: This includes improperly implemented encryption or hashing, or not using them when necessary.

3. A03:2021 – Injection: This happens when untrusted data is sent as part of a command or query, tricking the interpreter into executing unintended commands.

4. A04:2021 – Insecure Design: This encompasses designing software without proper security considerations, leading to potential vulnerabilities.

5. A05:2021 – Security Misconfiguration: This risk arises from insecure default configurations, incomplete or ad hoc configurations, or unprotected cloud storage.

6. A06:2021 – Vulnerable and Outdated Components: This involves using components with known vulnerabilities that can undermine application defenses and enable various attacks.

7. A07:2021 – Identification and Authentication Failures: This occurs when functions related to authentication and session management are implemented incorrectly, allowing attackers to compromise passwords, keys, or session tokens.

8. A08:2021 – Software and Data Integrity Failures: This refers to unprotected or improperly protected data and software that could be tampered with or compromised.

9. A09:2021 – Security Logging and Monitoring Failures: This includes insufficient logging and monitoring, which can delay incident response and allow attackers to pivot to more systems.

10. A10:2021 – Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): This involves sending malicious requests from the server to access or perform actions on internal resources.

A noteworthy inclusion in the 2021 list is server-side request forgery (SSRF). With cloud infrastructure becoming increasingly prevalent, SSRF attacks pose a substantial risk. These attacks involve manipulating a web application into making an unintended server request, which could lead to unauthorized actions. The OWASP Top 10 serves as an invaluable resource, providing organizations with actionable insights to keep abreast of evolving cyber threats and fortify their security posture accordingly.

Conclusion

Implementing a cyber security framework can provide invaluable guidance, pointing out areas of vulnerability and offering strategies to mitigate cyber risk. However, understanding and effectively implementing these strategies require in-depth knowledge and experience. That’s where our organization, Securinc Cybersecurity Consulting Services, can make a significant difference. We possess the expertise to interpret these standards and adapt them to your unique business environment.

Our consultants provide personalized service to fortify your critical infrastructure against threats, ensuring your valuable data stays secure. We believe that with our assistance, your organization can navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity, bolstering your defenses and ensuring peace of mind in the face of ever-evolving digital threats.