Due to the increase in technologies, multiple organizations strive for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The main objective of these organizations is to keep the data secure and improve the security rating or security posture by using multiple cybersecurity frameworks.
Therefore following the best practices and the processes laid out by the industry experts is the best way to make sure that the organization takes all the required steps to keep the data and network security safe. Thus in this article, detailed knowledge has been provided about the Cybersecurity frameworks and the top 7 essential cybersecurity frameworks
What are Cybersecurity Frameworks?
The cybersecurity framework is the framework that mainly provides industry security leaders with a common language and set of standards that can help individuals evaluate, improve, and monitor their security postures. Therefore by using this framework, it is easier to define the processes and the important steps organizations should take to access, monitor, and mitigate the cybersecurity risks. These frameworks also help the organizations to evaluate the security posture of vendors and coordinate the security with third parties.
Top 7 Essential Cybersecurity Frameworks
Multiple cybersecurity frameworks are used in the industries and several organizations to maintain safety and prevent the organizations from cyber attacks. Some of the top 7 essential cybersecurity frameworks are mentioned below.
1. NERC-CIP
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation- Critical Infrastructure protection is one of the essential cybersecurity frameworks that is mainly introduced to mitigate the risk of attacks on the US critical infrastructure and it is a growing third-party risk. This cybersecurity framework was mainly designed to help individuals in the utility and power sector to reduce the cyber risk and make sure that the reliability of bulk electric systems. This framework needed the impacted organizations to identify and mitigate the third-party cyber risks in their supply chain.
Advantages
- NERC-SIP is used to stipulate the range of controls which includes the categorizing systems and critical assets.
- This framework is mainly used to improve security and by implementing these standards organizations can reduce the risks of cyber attacks.
- It makes sure that the electric power companies and the other entities that operate critical infrastructure take the appropriate measures.
2. NIST Cybersecurity Framework
NIST framework is another top cybersecurity framework that was designed in response to an executive order to improve critical infrastructure cybersecurity which called for greater collaboration between the public and the private sector for identifying, assessing, and managing the risks of cybersecurity. NIST CSF 2.0 has extended its reach beyond critical infrastructure cybersecurity targeting small schools, non-profits, large agencies, and corporations. This cybersecurity framework mainly consists of six main functions such as identity, protect, detect, respond, recover, and govern by providing a holistic approach to managing the risks in cybersecurity
Advantages
- This framework is used to strengthen the infrastructure to bridge the gap between the CEOs and the technical team.
- It is a widely accepted way to protect any business from ever-changing cyber threats.
- This framework also helps in integrating the industry standards and the best practices.
3. ISO 27000 Series
ISO 27000 series is another detailed cybersecurity framework that provides guidelines for information security management systems to protect sensitive information from attackers. This framework was mainly developed by the International Organization for Standardization and it is one of widely used cybersecurity frameworks in the world. The main objective of the ISO 27000 series is to provide a detailed and systematic approach to managing sensitive information. Therefore this framework mainly covers a wide range of areas such as risk management, access control, and asset management
Advantages
- This framework is mainly used by organizations to protect sensitive information from a wide range of cybersecurity threats.
- This framework is very similar to the standard management system such as those for quality assurance and environmental protection.
- This framework is used to increase the organization’s credibility and cyber resilience.
4. FISMA
FISMA is abbreviated as the Federal Information Security Management Act which is a detailed cybersecurity framework which was designed to protect the federal government information and the systems as well as the third parties and the lenders who are working on behalf of the federal agencies against the cyber security threats. Therefore under this cybersecurity framework agencies and third parties are needed to maintain an inventory of the digital assets and identify any integration between the systems and the networks.
Advantages
- Fisma mainly offers multiple benefits such as it helps in enhancing the security posture.
- This framework is used for the implementation of robust security which helps organizations to strengthen their overall security postures.
- This framework also helps in reducing the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches.
5. HIPAA
HIPAA is abbreviated as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act which was introduced by the United States government for, the availability and integrity of protected health information in the healthcare industry. The main objective of HIPAA is to make sure that the individual’s medical information is secure and that they have full control over how the information is being used and disclosed. HIPAA framework has been used by multiple industries that handle healthcare providers, health plans, and PHI. Therefore this framework mainly consists of privacy rule sets and security rules
Advantages
- HIPAA mainly provides advantages such as it helps in enhancing the privacy of the patients and data security.
- It helps reduce healthcare abuse and fraud by implementing industry standards.
- HIPAA results in significant fines and reputational damage for the organizations.
6. SOC2
SOC2 is another popular cybersecurity framework and auditing standard that can be mainly used to verify vendors and partners. It is a type of detailed framework with over 60 compliance requirements and extensive auditing processes for third-party controls and systems. It is known to be one of the toughest cybersecurity frameworks to implement especially for organizations in the banking or in the financial sector which face a higher standard for compliance
Advantages
- SOC2 is mainly used to improve the services and it also shows the ways individuals can streamline the organization’s control and processes.
- This framework also allows businesses to make security improvements which can increase the efficiency of the organizations.
- SOC2 makes sure that the third-party service provider stores and processes the customer data in an effective and secure manner.
7. COBIT
COBIT is a popular cybersecurity framework that was developed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. Control objectives for the information and related technology is a comprehensive framework designed to help the organization manage their IT resources more effectively. This framework mainly offers the best practices for risk management, security, and governance. The framework is mainly divided into categories such as acquiring, implementing, delivering, supporting, monitoring, and evaluating management. These categories are used for particular processes and activities to help organizations effectively manage IT resources.
Advantages
- This framework mainly includes comprehensive data security and protection guidelines.
- It is mainly used to protect organizations and their systems from cybersecurity threats.
- This framework is mainly used to improve and maintain high-quality information to support business decisions.
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Conclusion
The main objective of the cybersecurity frameworks is to reduce the company’s exposure to cyberattacks and to identify the areas that are mostly at risk for data breaches. These cybersecurity frameworks are the set of documents that describe the guidelines and the best practices that are designed for cybersecurity risk management. It also consists of five continuous functions such as identify, protect, detect, respond, and discover. Therefore in this article, comprehensive knowledge has been provided about the top 7 essential cybersecurity frameworks used by organizations.
7 Essential Cybersecurity Frameworks – FAQs
Define Cybersecurity frameworks?
Cybersecurity frameworks are the structured set of guidelines which are mainly designed to help the organizations to manage and mitigate the risks of cybersecurity which are mainly associated with the information and the technology systems.
Why cybersecurity frameworks important for the organizations?
The cybersecurity framework are important in the organizations as these frameworks provides a holistic approach for defending against the cyber threats. These frameworks became necessary to safeguard the digital assests and helps in mitigating the risks at cybersecurity.
Name the top cybersecurity frameworks?
The top cybersecurity framework to protect the organizations from cyber threats are- SOC2, COBIT, ISO 27000 series, HIPPA, NIST cybersecurity framework, FISMA and so on.