How can you align your security practices with international standards?

2 NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a voluntary framework that provides a common language and methodology for managing cybersecurity risk in an organization. It consists of five core functions, which are further divided into categories and subcategories that describe specific outcomes and activities. Additionally, the framework offers informative references to existing standards, guidelines, and best practices. To align your security practices with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, you need to first establish the context and scope of your cybersecurity program. Afterward, identify your current cybersecurity profile and desired target state. Then assess your cybersecurity gaps and prioritize your actions. Following that, implement the appropriate actions and solutions. Last but not least, monitor and evaluate your cybersecurity progress and maturity.

3 CIS Controls

The CIS Controls are a set of 20 prioritized and actionable controls that can help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture and reduce their exposure to common cyber threats. These controls are based on the consensus of experts from various sectors and domains, and are updated regularly to reflect the changing threat landscape. Covering both technical and organizational aspects of cybersecurity, such as inventory and control of hardware and software assets, secure configuration of systems and devices, continuous vulnerability management, incident response and recovery, and security awareness and training, aligning your security practices with the CIS Controls requires assessing your current implementation level and maturity level for each control. You must then identify any gaps or weaknesses, prioritize remediation efforts, implement the controls according to best practices, validate the effectiveness of the controls using metrics and tools, then review and update the controls periodically to adapt to changing conditions.

4 COBIT 2019

COBIT 2019 is a comprehensive framework that provides a holistic and integrated approach to governance and management of enterprise information and technology (I&T). This framework is based on four key principles: stakeholder value, holistic approach, dynamic governance system, and governance performance management. To align your security practices with COBIT 2019, you need to understand your stakeholder needs and expectations, assess your current capabilities and maturity levels, design your governance and management system using the COBIT components, implement your system using the COBIT implementation guide, and evaluate and monitor your system using the COBIT performance management guide. Additionally, you should tailor the framework to your context and requirements as well as use change management techniques.