CIS Controls
CIS Controls, short for the Center for Internet Security Controls, are a set of best practices specifically designed for cybersecurity. Their purpose is to provide organizations with a structured approach to protect their systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. By implementing these controls, organizations can enhance their security posture and improve their resilience against cyber attacks.
Features and Benefits of CIS Controls
The CIS Controls consist of a prioritized set of actions that mitigate the most common cyber threats and vulnerabilities. They cover a wide range of security concerns and provide organizations with a comprehensive and effective framework for cyber defense. Some of the key features and benefits of CIS Controls include:
Comprehensive Coverage: CIS Controls encompass various aspects of cybersecurity, including hardware and software protection, secure configurations, vulnerability management, and risk management practices, among others. This comprehensive coverage ensures that organizations have a holistic approach to cybersecurity.
Adaptability: The controls are designed to be applicable to organizations of all sizes and industries. They are scalable and can be adjusted according to an organization's specific needs and threat landscape. This adaptability makes them a flexible and practical solution for different types of organizations.
Prioritization of Actions: The controls are organized in a prioritized manner, allowing organizations to focus on the most critical and impactful actions first. By addressing the high-priority controls, organizations can effectively mitigate significant risks and vulnerabilities.
Continuous Improvement: CIS Controls serve as a framework for continuous monitoring and improvement of cybersecurity measures. Organizations can regularly assess their security posture and make adjustments based on changes in the cyber threat landscape. This proactive approach helps organizations stay ahead of emerging threats.
Categories of CIS Controls
The CIS Controls are divided into three categories, each addressing specific areas of cybersecurity:
1. Basic Cyber Hygiene
Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets: Organizations should have a comprehensive inventory of their hardware assets, including computers, servers, and network devices. Implementing controls to manage and secure these assets is crucial for minimizing risk.
Inventory and Control of Software Assets: Organizations should maintain an inventory of all software used within their networks. This control helps prevent unauthorized software installations and ensures that all software is up to date and properly licensed.
Continuous Vulnerability Management: Regular vulnerability assessments and patch management are essential to protect against known vulnerabilities. Organizations should have a system in place to identify vulnerabilities, prioritize them based on risk, apply patches, and continuously monitor for new vulnerabilities.
Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges: Limiting the use of administrative privileges to only authorized personnel reduces the risk of unauthorized access and malicious activities. Organizations should establish strong controls and policies regarding administrative access.
Secure Configuration for Hardware and Software: Configuring hardware and software with secure settings helps to minimize the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful attacks. Organizations should follow industry best practices for secure configurations.
2. Foundational Security Controls
Boundary Defense: Implementing network security measures such as firewalls, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems helps protect against external threats. Organizations should establish strong boundary defenses to prevent unauthorized access.
Data Protection: Organizations should implement measures to protect sensitive data, including encryption, data loss prevention, and access controls. Data protection controls help mitigate the risk of data breaches and unauthorized disclosure.
Telemetry and Incident Response: Implementing robust monitoring and logging systems enables organizations to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. These controls provide visibility into network traffic, system activities, and potential security incidents.
3. Organizational Security Controls
Governance, Risk Management, and Vulnerability Management: Organizations should establish effective governance structures and processes for managing cybersecurity risks. This includes risk assessment, policy development, and continuous improvement of security controls.
Email and Web Browser Protections: Implementing email and web browser security controls, such as spam filters and web content filtering, helps protect against phishing attacks and malware.
Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Protocols, and Services: Organizations should minimize the number of open ports, protocols, and services to reduce the attack surface. Only necessary ports and services should be allowed, and strict controls should be in place for their use.
Data Recovery Capabilities: Having robust data backup and recovery processes in place helps organizations recover from cybersecurity incidents and minimize disruption to business operations.
Additional Information
The CIS Controls can be customized based on an organization's specific needs. Organizations should assess their threat landscape, industry requirements, and regulatory obligations to determine the most appropriate controls to implement.
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides resources and tools to assist organizations in implementing the CIS Controls effectively. These resources include detailed implementation guides, benchmarks, and guidelines.
Regular reviews and updates to the CIS Controls are carried out by a community of cybersecurity experts and practitioners. This ensures that the controls remain up to date with emerging threats and best practices in the industry.
Related Terms
NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A framework designed to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides a flexible and scalable approach to cybersecurity.
Defense in Depth: A cybersecurity strategy that employs multiple layers of defense to protect sensitive information and systems from various types of threats. Defense in depth involves using a combination of preventive, detective, and corrective controls to provide a layered defense.