At SUCCESS, we place a lot of emphasis on having comprehensive security measures in place to ensure your business remains protected against potential threats. But, we also know that, without extensive knowledge or experience in the realm of cybersecurity, you might not be entirely sure what “comprehensive security measures” actually means. That’s where cybersecurity frameworks come in, which consist of a series of policies and procedures that have been tested, documented, and formalized and are widely accepted as an industry standard.  

So, what is a cybersecurity framework? In short, a framework is a set of best practices, security standards, and guidelines that you can follow to protect your information and data from a variety of cyber threats. A good cybersecurity framework will address all three components of what is known as the CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability). Ultimately, when implemented, a framework can help you strategically identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks.  

But if you’re wondering how a cybersecurity framework could apply to your unique business needs, there’s no need to worry. Frameworks can be tailored to your organization’s specific needs, considering factors such as your industry, business size, and overall capacity.   

There is more than one valid framework your organization can use – which might make it seem complicated to get started. To help you better understand the different options, we’ve outlined two of the most commonly used cybersecurity frameworks, CIS Controls and NIST CSF, as well as the positive impact they could have on your business. 

CIS Controls 

The Center for Internet (CIS) Controls is a prioritized set of best practices created to stop the most pervasive and dangerous cybersecurity threats of today and improve your overall security posture.  

When following the CIS Controls framework, there are 18 security controls with prescriptive safeguards that organizations should be meeting to be protected against malicious activities. The safeguards are also divided into three implementation groups (IG). These groups help to identify which safeguards should be a higher priority to implement, filling all gaps in IG1 before IG2 and IG3. 

The 18 controls include:   

Inventory and control of enterprise assets  Inventory and control of software assets  Data protection  Secure configuration of assets and software  Account management  Access control and management  Continuous vulnerability management  Audit log management  Email and web browser protections

Malware defense   Data recovery  Network infrastructure management  Network monitoring and defense  Security awareness and skills training  Service provider management  Application software security  Incident response management  Penetration testing

NIST CSF 

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is another widely adopted framework that provides a comprehensive approach to managing and mitigating cyber risks. This framework is built around five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.  

1. Identify

A key component of the NIST CSF is an organization’s ability to understand their network environment, including all assets, vulnerabilities, and risks. This component lays the foundation for effective cybersecurity by helping organizations prioritize their tools and resources. Key cybersecurity practices and procedures needed to achieve this function include: Asset management, Risk assessment, Risk management strategy, and Supply chain risk management 

2. Protect

The “protect” function of NIST CSF includes the safeguards and security measures an organization establishes to ensure business can resume as normal without the interruption of critical services. Key cybersecurity practices and procedures needed to achieve this function include: Identity management, authentication, and access controls, Employee training & awareness, and Data security 

3. Detect

Another component of the NIST CSF focuses on the timely discovery of cybersecurity events. To do this, an organization must continuously monitor their systems and network to detect and respond to any potential threats. Key cybersecurity practices and procedures needed to achieve this function include: Continuous monitoring, and Detection processes 

4. Respond

If a cyber incident were to occur, the fourth NIST CSF function provides direction on how to be prepared. This function outlines the steps organizations should take to contain and mitigate the impact of a cybersecurity incident. Key practices and procedures needed to achieve this function include: Incident response planning, Analysis, Communication planning, and Threat mitigation 

5. Recover

The final function of the NIST CSF emphasizes the importance of recovering quickly after a cybersecurity incident. If business is disrupted, this framework stresses that organizations should be able to restore normal operations quickly by ensuring the proper measures are in place ahead of time. Key practices and procedures needed to meet this function include: Recovery planning, Identification of improvements, and Communication planning. 

Benefits of a cybersecurity framework 

Regardless of the cybersecurity framework your organization follows, there are numerous benefits to implementing one. Just some of the benefits include:     

1. Risk Management: A cybersecurity framework provides a structured approach to identifying, assessing, and managing risks, which can help you better prioritize your organization’s security efforts 

1. Regulatory Compliance: If your organization is responsible for meeting specific compliance standards (e.g., HIPAA, PCI, CMMC), a cybersecurity framework can help ensure you’re on the right track to meeting all requirements.  

1. Improved Security Posture: By following a framework, organizations are in a better position to protect their data and assets from continuously evolving cyber threats.  

1. Incident Response: A framework typically includes guidelines for responding to security incidents, which can mitigate the impact of a breach and minimize recovery times.  

1. Continuous Improvement: Cybersecurity frameworks place emphasis on continuously updating and improving security measures to keep up with cyber threats as they evolve, which helps ensure your network is always up-to-date and protected.  

Cybersecurity Case Studies 

When organizations follow a cybersecurity framework, they’re better protected from current threats and are better prepared to comply with regulatory compliance requirements.  But don’t just take our word for it – consider the following case study and the impact following a cybersecurity framework ultimately had on the organization. 

Case Study – Ensured Compliance for Local Manufacturing Organization 

Challenge: In order to fulfill government contracts as a part of their normal business operations, a local manufacturing company needed to meet Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC-2.0) Level 2 compliance standards. CMMC compliance is exceptionally strict and requires the implementation of comprehensive cybersecurity measures.  

The Solution: Our resident CMMC expert engaged with the organization to assess the current state of their cybersecurity infrastructure. As CMMC Level 2 compliance follows a more comprehensive NIST framework (NIST 800-171), this made it easier for both the SUCCESS team member and the organization to identify which policies and regulatory measures were not yet implemented or being adhered to. Following the analysis, the organization worked with SUCCESS to take the necessary steps to meet all key NIST 800-171 framework practices and procedures before their CMMC audit.  

The Result: The organization is now better prepared to complete the audit of obtaining CMMC Level 2 certification.   

Comprehensive Cybersecurity for Your Peace of Mind 

Whether your organization or the MSP you partner with is following CIS Controls, NIST, or another framework, the most important thing is that they’re following one at all. If you’re unsure if your organization is following a framework, or worse, if you know you’re not, contact us today, and we’ll work with you to implement comprehensive security measures that allow you to know rather than just hope that your business is being kept protected and secure.