How do organisations map CIS controls to other compliance standards?

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Mapping CIS Controls to Other Compliance Standards

In today’s complex regulatory landscape, organisations need to navigate a complex web of compliance standards, while also maintaining robust cyber security measures. To help businesses combat the ever present threat of cyber attack, The Center for Internet Security (CIS) developed the CIS Controls, a set of best practices designed to help organisations improve their cybersecurity posture. With the release of CIS Controls version 8 (CIS v8), many organisations are looking to understand how to effectively map these controls to other compliance frameworks such as NIST, ISO, and others. This article explores the process of mapping CIS controls to other compliance standards and highlights the benefits of doing so.

Understanding CIS Controls

The CIS Controls consist of 18 critical security controls that provide a structured approach to cyber security. These controls are designed to be practical and actionable, and are broken down into complexity and resource cost, so that smaller businesses understand what they can actually implement. The controls cover various aspects of cybersecurity, including asset management, data protection, and incident response.

Key Features of CIS Controls:

Prioritisation: The controls are prioritised based on the most common attack vectors.

Measurable: Each control is designed to be measurable, allowing organisations to assess their compliance effectively.

Feasibility: Recommendations are practical and can be implemented by organisations with varying levels of resources.

The Importance of Mapping Controls

Mapping CIS controls to other compliance standards is crucial for several reasons:

Streamlined Compliance: Organisations often need to comply with multiple standards simultaneously. Mapping helps streamline efforts by identifying any overlapping requirements.

Resource Optimisation: By understanding how different frameworks align, businesses can allocate resources more efficiently, avoiding duplication of efforts.

Enhanced Security Posture: Integrating multiple compliance frameworks can lead to a more comprehensive security strategy, addressing various risks and vulnerabilities.

Steps to Map CIS Controls to Other Standards

1. Identify Relevant Compliance Standards

Before mapping, businesses should identify which compliance standards they need to adhere to. Common frameworks include:

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

ISO/IEC 27001

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Service Organisation Control 2 (SOC 2)

2. Analyse Control Requirements

Once the relevant standards are identified, businesses should analyse the specific requirements of each framework. This involves reviewing the controls and understanding their objectives and outcomes.

3. Identify Gaps and Overlaps

Businesses should identify any gaps or overlaps between the controls. This analysis will help in understanding where additional measures may be needed or where existing efforts can be consolidated.

4. Implement Integrated Compliance Strategies

With a clear understanding of how controls map across frameworks, organisations can develop integrated compliance strategies that leverage the strengths of each standard while addressing unique requirements.

Use a tool such as OneClickComply

Businesses can use compliance automation tools such as OneClickComply to easily manage the process of complying with multiple standards at once. The platform allows for instant control implementation in a single click, removing the need for any manual work, as well as checking for any pre-configuration and overlap between standards to prevent duplicating work. Furthermore, features such as policy generation and continuous monitoring help to make compliance across standards much easier to maintain.

Conclusion

Mapping CIS controls to other compliance standards requires a good understanding of the framework’s requirements, as well as internal business resources. By utilising tools like OneClickComply, businesses are no longer required to spend hours manually reviewing and mapping controls, and can instead automate the entire process in only a few clicks.