Which Security Framework Should You Follow?

There are many elements involved in cybersecurity, and just one vulnerability can put a business’s entire system at risk. For that reason, it’s essential for firms to consider the best IT security frameworks they can use to exact the correct standards while building and maintaining an information security program.

Put simply, an IT security framework is a measure of protocols that are documented and executed in pursuit of certain security procedures and protocols an enterprise may wish to use. For this reason, these frameworks provide something of a guide or blueprint for those developing information security programs. This lessens vulnerabilities, increases the ability to manage risk, and of course, makes compliance easier to render depending on the goals your firm has.

But which security frameworks are worth implementing in the first place? This will depend entirely on the scope of your business, its IT infrastructure, and the security goals you have. It’s all about finding the most suitable solution for your mode of operation while complying with the specific requirements of your industry.

ISO 27000 series

Developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO), the 27000 Series was created to provide a large and near all-encompassing security framework that many different types and scales of organization can use. New standards offer specific guidance regarding cloud computing, digital evidence collection, and storage security. It’s a broad framework that can be used for any industry, but is most popular among cloud computing providers.

COBIT

COBIT has been around for some time and was originally started in the 90’s by ISACA. The Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology first began focusing on reducing technical risks in organization, but now applies to the full scope of IT formatting as part of a business’s forward planning. Those familiar with Sarbanes-Oxley rules will no doubt regularly utilize COBIT frameworks.

NIST 800-171

In order to prevent cyber attacks from affecting and subverting the supply chain surrounding the Department of Defense, ths NIST 800-171 framework was set up. Not only can it apply to a range of organizations (including small contractors), but it provides companies the means to prepare for a third-party CMMC audit. It has become increasingly popular to utilize managed service providers for a thorough NIST 800-171 assessment. The DoD is also looking at measures they can use to help improve documentation while keeping costs low for smaller contracting firms.

HITRUST CSF

HiTrust CSF has been developed to improve security for healthcare providers and technology vendors, as HIPAA has been proven to be less than effective in preventing healthcare data breaches, which is among some of the most sensitive private information out there. It’s a heavy framework with much to adopt, which is why many organizations utilize  smaller elements of focus to enact the best HiTRUST compliance.