What Is Cyber Security Framework: An Introductory Guide

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Cyber Security Framework is extremely important for all organisations with the increasing interest in the digital world. Everything is digital and in future too we’re going to depend more and more on computers for each and everything. Nowadays, instead of writing on paper, we feed data onto our computer systems. All the top organisations of the world whether it’s a government or private, all have vital data stored in their systems.

Any kind of breach of this data, can hamper the economy of countries and companies likewise. Today, in this article, we’ll understand what is Cyber Security framework, its importance and all that you need to know. Going forward, let us now get an introductory guide to it.

What is Cyber Security Framework?

The Cyber Security Framework is a compilation of documents consisting best practices, guidelines and standards which are specially designed to manage cyber risk.

Moreover, like a building has an iron framework to support it, similarly the cyber security framework lays the basic foundation, gives structure and support to an organisation’s security.

Without this, there will be a breach of data stealing. There have been many cases where such incidents have actually happened. You can have a look at the kind of data thefts that happen here.

Furthermore, these frameworks are of many types.

Are you curious to know about the different types of Cyber Security Frameworks?

Depending on the desired function, the Cyber Security framework is divided into three types namely:

Control Frameworks
Risk Frameworks
Program Frameworks

Control Frameworks

This framework establishes a fundamental strategy for an organization’s cyber security department.
Gives a standard group of security controls.
Evaluates the current state of the infrastructure and technology.
It computes the implementation of security controls.

Risk Frameworks

It outlines the essential processes for risk evaluation and management.
It arranges a security program to manage risk.
Computes relevant security activities and measures.
It recognizes, calculates and weighs the security risks faced by an organization.

Program Frameworks

Evaluates the present state of the security program of an organization.
Helps to build an out-and-out cybersecurity program
It calculates the security and competitive analysis of the particular program.
It makes communication between the cyber security team and the managers/executives easier.

Do you know which are the Top Cyber Security Frameworks?

1. The NIST Cyber Security Framework

The full form of the NIST Cyber security framework is the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This particular cyber security framework helps in improving an organisation’s cyber security program. However, it is built in with best practices which are effective. Even though it helps the internal and external stakeholders communicate regarding cybersecurity, it also helps big organisations to align and integrate cybersecurity risk management with enterprise risk management.

There are five important functions which govern the NSIT Cyber Security Framework which are as follows:

Identify
Protect
Detect
Respond
Recover

When these five terms are combined together, they give us a comprehensive look into the lifecycle of managing cyber security risk. The activities mentioned under each Function will help you to start your organisation. Below is a list of them to give you a better understanding:

Identify – The main work of this function is to identify critical enterprise data and processes, to maintain hardware and software inventories, to document the information flows, to identify threats, vulnerabilities and risks to assets and to establish policies for cybersecurity which include roles and responsibilities.
Protect – This function mainly develops and implements safeguards to make sure of the delivery of services. It manages access to information and assets, conducts regular backups, protects sensitive data, trains users, manages device vulnerabilities and protects your devices.
Detect – This function mainly develops and implements activities which identify the happening of any cybersecurity event. It maintains and monitors logs, tests and updates detection processes, understands the impact of cybersecurity events and knows the expected data flows for your enterprise.
Respond – This function mainly develops and implements activities which take action in accordance to a detected cybersecurity event. Its function is to make sure that the response plans are tested and updated and to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
Recover – This function mainly develops and implements activities which maintain plans for resilience and restore any capabilities or services which have been hampered due to any cybersecurity event. It communicates with internal and external stakeholders, manages company reputation and public relations and it makes sure that the recovery plans are updated.

2. The ISO (International Standards Organisation) ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002

ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 is the international standard of best-practice of information for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It is a complicated process for the protection and preservation of your information on the basis of principles such as availability, confidentiality and integrity. We can use this standard by integrating other standards and frameworks with it like the NIST RMF (Risk Management Framework) and NIST CSF (Cyber security framework).

Consequently, if you are looking to build stakeholders and customer confidence, then having the ISO 27001 and 27002 will be of great advantage to win many contracts. To conclude, if you have an accreditation of ISO 27001 and ISO 27002, it gives an overview of your company to other companies and in the process builds trust in their eyes. Undoubtedly, they understand that you are guided by the cybersecurity framework and you are taking necessary steps to keep the data safe.

3. The CIS Critical Security Controls

The CIS stands for Center for Internet Security. They are a set of simplified cybersecurity practices that will strengthen your organisation’s cybersecurity. This was first released in the late 2000s to secure major organisations from cyber attacks. The CIS CSC has about 20 controls which safeguard your organisation from any possible cyber threats. Finally, by using this cyber security framework, you can simplify your approach to cyber threats, achieve essential cyber hygiene, comply with industry regulations, abide by laws and transfer information into action.

4. The Health Insurance Probability and Accountability Act

This is also known as HIPAA. All healthcare companies do require this particular framework to secure and protect the privacy of their electronic health information.

Other Cybersecurity Frameworks used by different organisations for different purposes are:

SOC2 (Service Organization Control)
FISMA (The Federal Information Security Management Act)
NERC-CIP (North-American Electric Liability Corporation-Critical Infrastructure Protection)
GDPR (The General Data Protection Regulation)
COBIT (Control Objects for Information and Related Technologies)
HITRUST (Health Information and Trust Alliance)

What is the need to have a Cyber Security Framework?

Firstly, The Cyber Security Framework is very essential for various organisations. Secondly, every organisation must choose the right type of framework which suits it the best. Thirdly, it builds trust in the clients and hence fosters better relations between different stakeholders. Lastly, it also prevents organisations from possible cyber risks which are common in today’s digital world.

Are you excited to make a career in Cyber Security Framework?

Henry Harvin is one of the leading institutes providing courses in Cyber Security Framework. They have specifically set up a Cyber Security Academy to train students to become cyber security professionals by upskilling them in the current technology and management workforce with in-demand Cyber Security skillsets. Moreover, there is a lot of scope to make a career in Cyber Security Framework and we at Henry Harvin have an array of courses from which you can choose the one that suits you best.

contact: +919891953953

Other recommended courses:

Conclusion

To sum it up, having a cybersecurity framework is a vital part of your organisation as it will increase your chances of winning a contract in comparison to other organisations that don’t have a Cyber Security Framework. In conclusion, this article talks about the various kinds of frameworks, why do we need them, what is their importance and what are the career opportunities which you derive by doing a course in Cyber Security Framework.

To know more about cyber security, click the link below:

FAQs

Q1. What are the career opportunities after doing the Cyber Security course?

You can make a career as a cyber security professional in the industry.

Q2. Is Cyber Security Framework a temporary requirement?

No, it is not a temporary requirement. In fact, it is a major point of discussion in this digitalized age as it keeps any organisation free from possible cyber risks.

Q3. How can I determine which Cyber Security Framework is good for my organisation?

The Cyber Security Framework helps you to characterize the processes which your organisation should follow to assess, monitor and mitigate cybersecurity risk. Moreover, there are many types of cybersecurity from which you can choose according to the needs of your organisation. It also depends on the kind of data your organisation processes which helps you decide on the right framework.