Frameworks Implementation

Cybersecurity Frameworks

Organizations around the world are wondering how to become immune from cyber attacks which are evolving every day with more sophisticated attack vectors.

IT teams are always on the lookout for new ransomware and exploit, but can all these unforeseen cyber attacks be prevented proactively?

That is definitely a 'NO,' which is why there is a reactive approach in place to save organizations from the aftermath of takedowns, and with proper cybersecurity practices, one can reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

To do that, organizations should follow specific cybersecurity frameworks that will assist them in redefining and reinforcing their IT security and staying vigilant against cyber attacks.

 

What is a Cybersecurity Framework?

Cybersecurity framework is a predefined set of policies and procedures that are defined by leading cybersecurity organizations to enhance cybersecurity strategies within an enterprise environment, and it is documented for theoretical knowledge and practical implementation procedures.

These frameworks are, at times, designed targeting a specific industry and are built to reduce the unknown vulnerabilities and misconfigurations existing within an enterprise network.
 

Why are Cybersecurity Frameworks Important for Organizations?

Cybersecurity frameworks will upgrade your existing security protocols, and bring in new security layers if there is not one existing already.

These frameworks will also help enterprises understand where their security standards are and how can they improve it.

Since these frameworks are well designed and tested under different situations, enterprises can ensure they are reliable.

 

Types of Cybersecurity Frameworks

 

ISO 27001/27002

International Standards Organizations (ISO) was the one who did develop ISO27000, that covers all the broad aspects of the cybersecurity framework that can be applied to businesses of any vertical.

ISO2700 defines an overview, while ISO27001 takes care of the requirements, and ISO27002 takes care of the implementation procedures.

All these frameworks are documented to help enterprises establish the same around their corporate networks.

 

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have similar policies and norms that are documented, targeting government organizations to build effective information security practices.

This framework can also be applied to other industries as well. There are Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), which will be the prime focus of this framework.

 

NIST Privacy Framework

The NIST Privacy Framework is a voluntary tool developed in collaboration with stakeholders intended to help organizations identify and manage privacy risk to build innovative products and services while protecting individuals’ privacy.

 

CIS Critical Security Controls

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Top 20 Critical Security Controls (previously known as the SANS Top 20 Critical Security Controls), is a prioritized set of best practices created to stop the most pervasive and dangerous threats of today.

Simply being compliant is not enough to mitigate probable attacks and protect your critical information. While there is no silver bullet for security, organizations can reduce chances of compromise by moving from a compliance-driven approach to a risk management approach focused on real world effectiveness. Implementing the CIS top 20 critical security controls is a great way protect your organization from some of the most common attacks.

Implementing Cybersecurity Framework

After identifying the right cybersecurity framework for the enterprise, this has to be practiced as per the document guidelines. To do that, some steps have to be implemented to get things started and going.

  • Businesses first need to test and identify the current security posture inside their environment
  • Analyze the existing projects, the process involved in these projects and the resources involved with it
  • Understand the cybersecurity framework by reading through the documents
  • Distinguish what security controls exist and doesn't exist within the enterprise network
  • Communicate where the security layers are lagging and define a plan to establish the same
  • Implement the same in a defined time-frame to keep things on track and time
  • Highlight controls that outperform the controls defined by the framework
  • Discuss the entire plan with the key players, including stakeholders, and proceed with the implementation
  • Audit the progress of implementation continuously
  • Generate reports and conduct meetings to measure the challenges
  • Document the entire process for audits and other benefits

 

Cybersecurity frameworks will play a key role in establishing and sustaining unforeseen cyber situations, giving organizations an upper hand over cyber criminals.

Businesses need to understand the demands that they need to keep up to, analyze the entire implementation procedures, and do the same only after discussing the same with stakeholders and IT departments.
 

Advantages

  • Cybersecurity frameworks and its policies can overlap with each other allowing organizations to become compliant to multiple frameworks with minimum efforts
  • Enhanced cybersecurity
  • Better data protection
  • Easy compliance and audit management

 

Disadvantages

  • Implementation can take days, thus affecting productivity
  • An improper implementation may lead to security loopholes
  • Financial limitations may apply

 

With cyber attacks becoming more sophisticated lately, organizations should follow the right cybersecurity frameworks and build better defenses to keep the hackers at bay.

Establishing the frameworks always will yield great results towards cybersecurity of your organization, keeping it as well as its customers safe and secure.