Security compliance frameworks and standards

Security compliance standards and frameworks are sets of guidelines and requirements that allow organizations to achieve compliance. They include step-by-step processes and simplify complex compliance tasks.

By implementing these guidelines, organizations can avoid fines and demonstrate their commitment to security, building customer trust. The compliance landscape is composed of key standards, frameworks, and regulations, such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA, among others. But with various standards available, how do you choose the right one for your specific industry and business needs?

This article breaks down the most critical security compliance standards and frameworks. We will explore their applications in different industries and help you select the ideal compliance guidelines for your organization.

What are compliance standards?

Security compliance standards are collections of specific rules, processes, and policies that allow organizations to implement security controls and protect data. A well-implemented security framework often includes these standards and enables ongoing compliance and risk management.

These security standards are created and updated by widely respected expert bodies or regulatory agencies. They provide up-to-date and practical advice about how to comply with legal requirements. And they can often go further than legal regulations, providing additional guidance and best practices on issues like threat detection or information security management.

Importance of security compliance standards and frameworks

Security compliance standards and frameworks play a critical role in managing digital businesses. Well-chosen, they enable security teams to:

• Prepare for audits. Frameworks and standards streamline regulatory assessments by providing structured control objectives, implementation guidance, and assessment methodologies, which makes it easier to implement required controls and adjust internal processes to meet security requirements.
• Achieve compliance. Companies can cross-reference their existing controls with recommendations in compliance security standards and frameworks. Security officers can identify and remediate compliance gaps before they lead to violations.
• Manage risk. By providing a structured approach to security requirements, compliance frameworks enable security teams to prioritize critical risks, allowing for more focused mitigation efforts and efficient resource use.
• Improve data security. Compliance standards and frameworks provide a clear roadmap for establishing controls like access management and encryption for companies lacking the expertise to implement adequate information security.

List of the key security standards and frameworks

Compliance challenges vary between industries, resulting in many different compliance standards and frameworks. Companies may need to refer to a range of relevant guidelines. Let's introduce a few of the most common standards and their main focus areas.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001, created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), provides information about designing an information security management system (ISMS).

The 27001 standard is part of the ISO 27000 family of standards, which includes individual guidelines for cloud computing (ISO 27017 and 27018), data storage (ISO 27040), and other critical security requirements.

ISO 27001 is a comprehensive data security standard. The 14 core domains include:

• Risk assessment
• Security policy development
• Incident response and threat detection
• Business continuity strategies
• Access management
• Encryption
• Asset management
• Physical security
• Assessing third parties
• Employee training and human resource security
• Auditing and improvement
• System acquisition and maintenance
• Operational security
• Compliance management

Companies can use ISO 27001 in many ways. It can act as a reference point for ongoing information security management. Based on their risk assessments, organizations can integrate the standard framework and applicable controls into their operations. In this case, it makes sense to obtain certification to prove that the organization is ISO-compliant.

Organizations usually adopt ISO 27001 alongside ISO 27002. The 27002 standard provides information about designing controls within an ISMS and supplements guidance on creating information security policies and ensuring compliance.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a subdivision of the United States Department of Commerce. It aims to provide a framework of cybersecurity best practices to reduce risks and protect data.

Despite being created by a federal agency, the CSF is a voluntary framework for private sector organizations. However, companies working with the federal government may need to comply as part of their obligations under the 2017 "Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure" Executive Order 13800. Implementation of the CSF is mandatory for all US federal agencies.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework focuses on cybersecurity policies and controls. Areas covered include:

• How to identify and classify cybersecurity risks
• Implementing information security measures
• Detecting emerging threats
• Incident response
• Systems recovery

The CSF is relevant for all organizations that face cybersecurity risks. It helps security teams create enterprise-wide strategies and facilitates the communication of cybersecurity concerns to executive-level officers.

PCI-DSS

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is maintained by the five largest credit card processing companies. Members of the PCI Council include Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, and Discover. And all organizations that store, process, or transmit cardholder data must comply with PCI standards.

PCI-DSS information security standards seek to protect cardholder data and prevent data breaches. You can find information about these standards on the PCI website.

PCI Council operates by establishing separate standards for merchants and service providers. There are also standards for developers and financial institutions. Most compliant organizations fall under the merchant category. In this case, elements of PCI-DSS standards include:

• Network security measures. Implementing firewalls, segmentation, and managing apps securely.
• Data security. Encrypting all credit card data at rest and in transit, and tracking systems to locate and secure critical data.
• Access management. Ensuring that users can only access cardholder data on a need-to-know basis.
• Vulnerability management. Managing updates of core apps, including antivirus software. Quarterly network testing by approved scanning vendors.
• Network testing. Regular penetration testing of the cardholder data environment.
• Policies and processes. Maintaining robust information security management policies.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a regulation that applies to companies that handle private healthcare data. Covered entities include health providers and insurance companies. However, the law covers any company that processes protected health information on behalf of covered entities, so health app developers may need to comply if they meet this criterion.

The most important security-related component of HIPAA is the Security Rule. Under the Security Rule, covered entities must:

• Perform risk management to assess threats to the integrity and security of protected health information (PHI).
• Put in place physical safeguards to protect data
• Secure electronic data with appropriate technical safeguards such as threat detection systems, encryption, and access controls
• Assign a HIPAA security officer and provide staff with compliance training. Training should include a strong focus on preventing the disclosure of PHI.
• Create and maintain information security policies.
• Evaluate security systems to ensure continuing compliance.

The Security Rule is flexible. It allows covered entities to innovate and introduce new ways to serve customers. Healthcare organizations can simplify compliance via external frameworks or standards.

For example, NIST has also created a set of guidelines based on the Security Rule. This guidance simplifies the task for all covered entities. And the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) publishes a framework that enables streamlined compliance assessments.

GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) protects the digital privacy of European Union citizens. It applies to all businesses that operate within the EU area and those outside the EU that offer goods or services to EU data subjects or monitor their behavior, including e-commerce merchants. And fines for non-compliance are severe.

The GDPR security requirements focus on transparency and privacy. Key components of this regulation include:

• Technical measures to ensure privacy and secure data
• Privacy training for all employees
• Ensuring personal data processing has a lawful basis, which may include consent that can be withdrawn
• Access for users to personal data held by organizations
• Privacy-centered risk management

The EU does not operate a formal compliance framework to assist companies. However, the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) provides guidance on GDPR compliance. Organizations can also use the NIST CSF and NIST SP 800-53 to help implement GDPR-compliant systems.

SOC 2

Maintained by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) guides organizations that handle customer data. SOC 2 is an auditing standard based on five core principles called trust services criteria:

• Privacy
• Security
• Availability
• Processing integrity
• Confidentiality

SOC audits use these principles as guidelines. They assess whether a company's controls meet the criteria for securing customer data. For example, SOC audits may reveal that companies require strengthened access controls or updated firewall protection. They may expose problems with disaster recovery or weak authentication systems.

Companies that implement these reports can build trust and reduce the risk of data breaches. They can obtain a SOC 2 attestation report, which provides robust evidence that customers can trust the organization with confidential data.

CIS Controls

CIS Controls are managed by the non-profit Center for Internet Security (CIS). Unlike a broad framework like NIST, the CIS Controls don't include detailed risk assessment recommendations. Instead, CIS offers practical controls to reduce risk and neutralize cybersecurity threats. For example, areas covered include:

• How to inventory hardware and software assets
• Monitoring privileged accounts
• Continuous vulnerability management
• Secure configurations of critical apps
• Security controls for email and web applications
• Malware detection and neutralization
• Secure network architecture
• Data encryption
• Application development and testing

CIS describes the controls as an "on-ramp" to achieve compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. Companies can use CIS controls to improve weaknesses in their information security. Or they can map CIS advice onto regulations to create simple compliance strategies.

They are globally recognized benchmarks for cybersecurity professionals. And CIS guidelines are constantly updated to reflect novel cybersecurity concerns.

COBIT

The Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies framework was released in 1996 by the independent IT body ISACA. COBIT's objective focuses on IT governance and management, including information security. Financial institutions commonly use COBIT to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX).

The COBIT framework helps companies create IT security environments that meet SOX standards. The elements of SOX compliance that can be addressed using COBIT include:

• Risk assessment
• Reporting financial risks
• Establishing security controls for financial data
• Policies to segregate duties
• Access controls for sensitive data
• Documentation of SOX-compliant processes

FedRAMP

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a set of security compliance standards for organizations working with federal institutions. FedRAMP targets cloud-hosted businesses. It seeks to enforce risk-based security practices while keeping compliance costs low.

Security controls within the FedRAMP framework are derived from NIST SP 800-53 and 800-37. NIST 800-53 provides security controls and guidelines for federal information systems. FedRAMP adapts these guidelines specifically for the assessment and authorization of Cloud Service Providers.

Federal cloud service contracts require FedRAMP authorization. However, NIST-compliant organizations have a great foundation, though they will still need to address additional requirements and formal assessment..

ITIL

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a framework of best practices for IT service management across the service lifecycle. ITIL provides a collection of best practices regarding IT management. These practices include recommendations about embedding security compliance at every lifecycle stage.

There are five stages in the ITIL lifecycle.

• Service strategy
• Service design
• Service transition
• Service operation
• Continuous service improvement

Companies rarely use the ITIL framework as a stand-alone security compliance framework. Instead, it is used to streamline IT management while meeting compliance needs under NIST frameworks or industry regulations.

For example, the transition phase could include recommendations for the secure expansion of IT systems or testing new app deployments. The service strategy phase includes risk assessment guidelines. It aligns IT security measures with business needs.

How to choose a security framework or standard?

Security compliance frameworks and standards should meet the business needs of users and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Some frameworks are designed for individual industries. For example, COBIT is often tailored to the needs of financial institutions subject to SOX regulations. HITRUST is a set of standards that suits covered entities dealing with HIPAA.

ISO standards will benefit companies with complex IT compliance challenges. Standards like ISO 27001 and 27002 document an organization's commitment to information security. The NIST CSF reinforces this commitment by strengthening cybersecurity controls.

Cloud service providers working with Federal bodies should also consider FedRAMP authorization. Businesses active in the EU must consider GDPR requirements.

FAQ

Which of these security frameworks or standards are focused on cloud computing security?

All of the compliance standards and frameworks mentioned in this article are relevant to cloud computing to some extent. However, some have a strong focus on the cloud.

FedRAMP seeks to ensure that federal agencies use secure cloud partners. NIST 800/53 provides security controls applicable to cloud environments.. CIS controls also include specific recommendations for protecting cloud-hosted data.

What is the purpose of security frameworks and standards?

Frameworks and standards provide guidance for organizations on managing information security risks and complying with regulations. Security management is complex, but frameworks simplify the task by matching compliance requirements with practical steps.

Are there any certifications available for security frameworks or standards?

Some security compliance frameworks and standards function alongside certification or validation programs to prove that organizations are compliant. For example:

• Third-party organizations offer certifications such as the Certified NIST CSF Lead Implementer certification for individuals in IT security practices.
• Organizations can be certified to the 27001 standard by accredited certification bodies, with additional qualifications in specialist areas.
• Companies can validate PCI-DSS compliance through external audits.
• ISACA offers the "Certified in COBIT Foundation" credential for individuals demonstrating COBIT knowledge..

Which security framework or standard is used the most?

The most commonly used security compliance standards are ISO 27001 and 27002, alongside NIST's Cybersecurity Framework. These frameworks and standards operate as global benchmarks and are used in almost all jurisdictions. Global e-commerce companies routinely use PCI-DSS standards. Organizations also implement security controls to comply with GDPR privacy requirements.