Cybersecurity Frameworks to Know for Cybersecurity and Cryptography

Cybersecurity frameworks provide structured approaches to managing risks and protecting information. They guide organizations in assessing their security posture, implementing best practices, and ensuring compliance with regulations, all crucial for safeguarding data in today's digital landscape.

1. NIST Cybersecurity Framework

   • Provides a flexible and cost-effective approach to managing cybersecurity risks.
   • Comprises five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.
   • Encourages organizations to assess their current cybersecurity posture and improve over time.

2. ISO/IEC 27001

   • International standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS).
   • Focuses on risk management and the protection of information assets.
   • Requires organizations to assess their information security risks and implement appropriate controls.

3. CIS Controls

   • A set of best practices designed to help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture.
   • Consists of 20 prioritized controls that address the most common cyber threats.
   • Emphasizes the importance of implementing basic security hygiene to mitigate risks.

4. COBIT

   • A framework for developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving IT governance and management practices.
   • Aligns IT goals with business objectives to ensure effective risk management.
   • Provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources for managing enterprise IT.

5. MITRE ATT&CK

   • A knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations.
   • Helps organizations understand and analyze their security posture against potential threats.
   • Supports threat intelligence and incident response efforts by providing a common language for discussing cyber threats.

6. HIPAA Security Rule

   • Establishes national standards for the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI).
   • Requires covered entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI.
   • Mandates risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and implement appropriate security measures.

7. PCI DSS

   • A set of security standards designed to protect card information during and after a financial transaction.
   • Requires organizations that handle credit card data to implement specific security measures and maintain compliance.
   • Focuses on protecting cardholder data through encryption, access control, and regular security testing.

8. GDPR

   • A regulation that governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the European Union (EU).
   • Requires organizations to obtain explicit consent for data processing and to ensure data protection by design and by default.
   • Mandates reporting of data breaches within 72 hours and imposes significant fines for non-compliance.

9. SOC 2

   • A framework for managing customer data based on five trust service criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
   • Focuses on the controls and processes that service organizations implement to protect customer data.
   • Provides assurance to clients that their data is being handled securely and responsibly.

10. NIST SP 800-53

    • A catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations.
    • Provides a comprehensive framework for selecting and specifying security controls based on risk assessments.
    • Aims to protect organizational operations, assets, and individuals from a diverse set of threats.