The expert's guide to Center for Internet Security (CIS) Framework

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the public and private sector’s cybersecurity readiness and response. The CIS works to promote global Internet security through four program divisions:

• The Integrated Intelligence Center division works to develop and disseminate comprehensive, coordinated security intelligence. It facilitates relationships between government and private-sector entities to ensure the security of the public and private Internet-based functions and transactions.

• The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center division works to improve overall cybersecurity for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments. It focuses on collaboration and information sharing among members, private-sector partners, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.

• The Security Benchmarks division is responsible for establishing and promoting the use of consensus-based best practice standards to improve Internet-connected systems' security and privacy. It seeks to ensure the integrity of the public and private Internet-based functions and transactions.

• The Trusted Purchasing Alliance is designed to help the public and private sectors procure cybersecurity tools and policies in a cost-effective manner. It works to make sure the public and private sectors are able to acquire the necessary cybersecurity measures to protect their data and systems.

The CIS is committed to providing the public and private sectors with the necessary tools, resources, and guidance to ensure their cybersecurity readiness and response. It works to develop and disseminate comprehensive, coordinated security intelligence as well as promote the use of consensus-based best practice standards. The CIS also strives to improve overall cybersecurity for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments and to help the public and private sectors procure cybersecurity tools and policies in a cost-effective manner.

The Center for Internet Security is an invaluable resource for both the public and private sectors. It is committed to providing the tools, resources, and guidance needed to ensure their cybersecurity readiness and response. Through its four program divisions, the CIS works to promote global Internet security and to make sure the public and private sectors are able to acquire the necessary cybersecurity measures to protect their data and systems.

There are 20 CIS Critical Security Controls in total, with the first six being prioritized as “basic” controls that should be implemented by all organizations for cyber defense readiness. The scope of all of the Top 20 CIS Critical Security Controls is comprehensive in its view of what's required for robust cybersecurity defense. The CIS recommendations encompass not only data, software, and hardware, but also people and processes.

The CIS Critical Security Controls are designed to help organizations protect their networks and data, and to ensure that users can access only the resources they need to do their jobs. The controls are organized into three categories:

• Basic controls: These are the most important, and should be implemented first. They cover the fundamentals of security, such as access control, asset management, and vulnerability management.

• Foundational controls: These build on the Basic controls and provide more detailed guidance on protecting data, networks, and applications.

• Organizational controls: These provide guidance on how to manage security across the organization, such as developing policies and procedures, and conducting security awareness training.

The CIS Critical Security Controls are designed to be implemented in an iterative manner, with each control building on the previous one. This allows organizations to start with the basics and then gradually add more advanced controls as their security posture matures. The controls are also designed to be flexible, so they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an organization.

CIS Critical Security Controls are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They are designed to be used in conjunction with other security measures, such as firewalls and antivirus software, to provide comprehensive protection. Organizations should also consider implementing additional measures, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication, to further strengthen their security posture.

In summary, the CIS Critical Security Controls provide a comprehensive set of security controls that are organized into three categories. They are designed to be implemented in an iterative manner, with each control building on the previous one, and are flexible enough to be tailored to meet the specific needs of an organization. Organizations should consider implementing additional security measures to further strengthen their security posture.

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) has developed a list of 20 critical security controls that organizations can use to improve their cybersecurity posture. These controls are designed to help organizations protect their systems and data from cyber threats, including hackers, malware, and other forms of cyberattacks.

The Top 20 CIS Critical Security Controls are a prioritized set of actions that organizations can take to improve their cybersecurity posture. They are designed to be practical and effective, and are based on real-world experiences and observations of cyber threats.

The first six controls in the list are considered to be the most critical, and are often referred to as the "basic controls." These controls include:

1. Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets
2. Inventory and Control of Software Assets
3. Continuous Vulnerability Management
4. Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges
5. Secure Configuration for Hardware and Software on Mobile Devices, Laptops, Workstations and Servers
6. Maintenance, Monitoring and Analysis of Audit Logs

These six basic controls should be implemented by all organizations, regardless of their size or industry. They are considered to be the foundation of a strong cybersecurity program, and can help organizations reduce their risk of cyberattacks by a significant amount.

The remaining 14 controls are also important, but are considered to be more advanced and may require more resources and expertise to implement. These controls include:

7. Email and Web Browser Protections
8. Malware Defenses
9. Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Protocols and Services
10. Data Recovery Capability
11. Secure Configuration for Network Devices, such as Firewalls, Routers, and Switches
12. Boundary Defense
13. Data Protection
14. Controlled Access Based on the Need to Know
15. Wireless Access Control
16. Account Monitoring and Control
17. Security Skills Assessment and Appropriate Training to Fill Gaps
18. Application Software Security
19. Incident Response and Management
20. Penetration Tests and Red Team Exercises

Each of these controls is designed to address a specific area of cybersecurity risk, and can help organizations improve their overall cybersecurity posture. By implementing all 20 controls, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of cyberattacks and protect their systems and data from a wide range of threats.

It is important to note that the CIS controls are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and organizations may need to adapt them to their specific needs and environments. Additionally, the CIS controls are not intended to be a replacement for other cybersecurity frameworks or standards, but can be used in conjunction with them to provide a comprehensive cybersecurity program.

The CIS Critical Security Controls (CSC) apply to any organization that stores, processes, or transmits sensitive data, which includes most businesses in the modern age. This includes organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, as well as government entities and non-profits.

The CSC are designed to provide a comprehensive set of security controls that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any organization, regardless of size or industry. The CSC are based on a set of core principles and best practices that are applicable to any organization that handles sensitive data. These core principles include:

• Identification of threats
• Implementation of appropriate controls to mitigate those threats
• Monitoring of those controls to ensure they remain effective

The CSC are intended to be used as a starting point for organizations to develop their own security policies and procedures. The CSC provide guidance on the types of controls that should be implemented in order to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization’s sensitive data. However, it is up to each individual organization to determine which controls are necessary for their specific environment and to develop procedures for implementing, monitoring, and enforcing those controls.

The CSC are organized into three categories: basic, foundational, and organizational.

• The basic controls are the most important and should be implemented first. These controls are designed to provide a baseline of security for any organization.
• The foundational controls build on the basic controls and are designed to provide more comprehensive security.
• Finally, the organizational controls are designed to address the unique needs of each organization and should be tailored to the specific environment.

The CSC are designed to be used by organizations of all sizes and in all industries. While the controls may vary depending on the size or industry of the organization, the core principles remain the same. The CSC provide a framework for organizations to develop their own security policies and procedures that are tailored to their specific needs. The CSC also provide guidance on how to prioritize security controls, which is essential for any organization that is limited in resources. By following the CSC, organizations can ensure that their security policies and procedures are up-to-date and effective.

The CIS Controls are a set of security guidelines developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS) to help organizations protect their IT assets from cyber threats. They are important for organizations of all sizes to remain secure against cyber attacks.

The CIS Controls are divided into three levels:

• Level 1: Focuses on basic cyber security practices such as patch management, secure configuration, and user education.
• Level 2: Focuses on more advanced cyber security practices such as monitoring, incident response, and remediation.
• Level 3: Focuses on the most advanced cyber security practices such as threat intelligence and advanced analytics.

The CIS Controls provide organizations with a comprehensive set of security guidelines that are based on real-world cyber threats and are updated regularly to keep up with the changing threat landscape. By following the CIS Controls, organizations can be sure that their IT assets are secure against the latest threats.

The CIS Controls are important for the following reasons:

• They provide organizations with an easy way to benchmark their security posture and identify areas where their security posture is weak.
• They provide organizations with a way to train their employees on basic cyber security best practices. This helps to ensure that employees are aware of the security risks associated with their work and can take steps to protect themselves and their organization from cyber threats.

In summary, the CIS Controls are an important set of security guidelines that can help organizations protect their IT assets from cyber threats. By following the CIS Controls, organizations can be sure that their IT assets are secure against the latest threats, benchmark their security posture, identify areas for improvement, and train their employees on basic cyber security best practices.

CIS benchmarks are a set of security standards created by the Center for Internet Security (CIS) to help organizations improve their security posture.

The benchmarks are used to:

• Assess security configurations
• Identify potential vulnerabilities
• Provide guidance on how to secure systems and applications

CIS benchmarks are divided into two categories:

• Level 1: Designed to help organizations reduce their risk of attack at the surface level. These benchmarks focus on the basics of security, such as password policy, patching, and antivirus software.
• Level 2: More comprehensive benchmarks that include detailed instructions on how to secure core defenses against cyberattacks. This includes topics such as network security, authentication, and encryption.

CIS benchmarks are used by:

• Organizations of all sizes to ensure their systems and applications are secure
• Government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, to ensure their systems are secure
• Auditors and security professionals to assess the security posture of an organization

CIS benchmarks are an invaluable tool for organizations looking to improve their security posture:

• The benchmarks provide detailed guidance on how to secure systems and applications, as well as identify potential vulnerabilities
• The benchmarks are regularly updated to ensure they remain relevant and effective
• Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using the CIS benchmarks to help secure their systems and applications.

The CIS Critical Security Controls (CSCs) are a set of best practices that help organizations protect their networks and systems from cyber threats. They are designed to provide a comprehensive, prioritized approach to security, focusing on the most common and critical threats.

The CSCs can be used in conjunction with other industry standards, such as NIST 800-53, PCI DSS, FISMA, and HIPAA, to ensure organizations are meeting their compliance requirements.

The CSCs are based on the most common threats faced by organizations and are designed to be used in tandem with other security frameworks and standards. This allows organizations to create a comprehensive security strategy that meets their compliance requirements while also addressing their most pressing security needs.

The CSCs can be used in conjunction with other security frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), which draws from the CSCs as its baseline for a number of its recommended best practices. The CSF provides organizations with a comprehensive strategy for managing their security posture.

The CSCs also provide organizations with a framework for monitoring and responding to security incidents. This allows organizations to respond quickly and effectively to security incidents, while also ensuring their compliance requirements are met. The guidelines provided by the CSCs for responding to security incidents include detecting, containing, and remediating threats.

Finally, the CSCs provide organizations with a framework for assessing their security posture. The guidelines provided by the CSCs for assessing security posture include identifying weaknesses and vulnerabilities and implementing measures to address them.

Overall, the CIS Critical Security Controls provide organizations with a comprehensive, prioritized approach to security. By using the CSCs in conjunction with other security frameworks and standards, organizations can ensure they are taking the necessary steps to protect their networks and systems from cyber threats.

A CIS certification is a recognition that a company meets the CIS control requirements and can function in a CIS hardened environment. It is granted by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), a non-profit organization that works to improve the security of businesses and consumers through the development of secure configurations and best practices.

The CIS benchmarks are a set of security standards and guidelines that are used to guide organizations in the development of secure systems and networks. Companies that have achieved the CIS certification demonstrate that they have achieved a high level of security, and are able to function in a secure and hardened environment.

The process of obtaining a CIS certification involves a rigorous review and assessment of the company’s security posture. This assessment is conducted by a third-party auditor and is based on a number of criteria, such as:

• The security controls and processes in place
• The security architecture
• The security policies and procedures

The auditor will also review the company’s systems and networks to ensure that they are compliant with the CIS benchmarks. Once the audit is complete, the auditor will provide a report to the company, outlining any areas of non-compliance and providing recommendations for improvement. The company must then implement any changes recommended by the auditor in order to achieve the CIS certification.

The CIS certification is a valuable asset for any company, as it:

• Demonstrates that the company has taken the necessary steps to ensure the security of its systems and networks
• Provides assurance to customers and partners that the company is committed to security, and is able to provide a secure environment for their data and transactions

The CIS certification is an important step for any company looking to:

• Provide CIS benchmarks as a service
• Provide services to customers and partners

By achieving a CIS certification, the company demonstrates a commitment to security and a high level of security assurance.