As a non-profit organization, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides security best practices and guidelines to help organizations protect their networks and systems from cyber threats. A wide range of best practices are included in these guidelines, including those relating to network security, incident management, and compliance.
Implementing CIS controls can help organizations improve their overall security posture and reduce their vulnerability to cyberattacks. This article discusses the steps that organizations can take to improve their cybersecurity by implementing CIS controls.
Assess
Prior to implementing CIS controls, a thorough assessment of the current security posture of the organization’s systems and networks is necessary. The purpose of this assessment is to identify vulnerabilities and areas that require improvement. To assist organizations in identifying vulnerabilities in their systems, the CIS offers several assessment tools, such as the CIS Control Self-Assessment (CSA).
Prioritize
Once vulnerabilities have been identified, the next step is to prioritize them according to their level of risk to the organization. By doing so, organizations will be able to concentrate their efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities first. To help organizations prioritize vulnerabilities, the CIS provides a tool called CIS Critical Security Controls (CSC).
Implement
Next, appropriate security controls must be implemented to address the identified vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. Implementation of firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security software may be included in this process. CIS provides detailed guidance on how to implement specific security controls, including best practices and configuration recommendations.
Monitor
Monitoring the organization’s systems and networks for signs of security breaches or other unusual activity is a critical component of implementing CIS controls. As part of this process, logs and other data will be reviewed regularly in order to identify potential security risks. CIS provides guidance on establishing monitoring systems and interpreting the data they generate.
Maintain
Lastly, it’s important to maintain implemented security controls and to assess the organization’s security posture regularly to ensure that it remains effective. According to the CIS, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and update their security controls as necessary.
Therefore, implementing CIS controls can improve organizations’ overall security posture and reduce their risk of becoming victims of cyberattacks. This process involves assessing the current security posture, prioritizing vulnerabilities, implementing security controls, monitoring the systems, and maintaining the controls that have been implemented. It’s important to note that the implementation of CIS controls should be tailored to the specific needs of an organization and be aligned with compliance requirements and regulations.
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