What are CIS Controls? Strengthen Your Cybersecurity

Every day, organizations worldwide face an invisible war. Cyberattacks are skyrocketing, with cybercrime expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.^[1] In 2023 alone, the U.S. faced over 2,200 cyberattacks per day, exposing 22 billion records.^[2] In one alarming case, a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare in 2024 disrupted healthcare payments nationwide, affecting hospitals, pharmacies, and insurance providers.^[3]

So, what can businesses do to stay ahead of cybercriminals? They need a rock-solid security strategy, and this is where CIS controls can help. In 2008, a severe data breach shook the U.S. defense industry. This attack raised the need for a unified security approach, leading to the creation of the Critical Security Controls (CSC).^[4]

Initially developed as a military-grade framework, these controls were later taken over by the Center for Internet Security (CIS). Today, the CIS control framework has evolved into a globally recognized cybersecurity standard that helps organizations defend against modern cyber threats.

Also read: CIS Compliance: What every organization must know

3 Key groups of CIS controls

There are 20 CIS critical security controls. These 20 controls are divided into three categories based on their complexity and implementation level:

Basic Controls (1-6): Fundamental security measures that every organization should implement first. The basic controls include:

Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets
Inventory and Control of Software Assets
Data Protection
Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software
Account Management
Access Control Management

Foundational Controls (7-16): Advanced security practices for organizations handling sensitive data. The foundational controls include:

Continuous Vulnerability Management
Audit Log Management
Email and Web Browser Protections
Malware Defenses
Data Recovery Capability
Network Infrastructure Management
Security Awareness and Skills Training
Service Provider Management
Application Software Security
Incident Response Management

Organizational Controls (17-20): High-level policies and procedures that enhance cybersecurity at a strategic level. The organizational controls include:

Penetration Testing
Security Management Program
Incident Response Testing
Security Culture and Training

Now, let’s break down each group and take a closer look at what each control does. Understanding these will help you build a solid cybersecurity strategy.

Basic controls: Your first line of defense

These six controls are the foundation of any strong cybersecurity strategy. Think of them as locking up all the doors and windows of your house before you even think about adding an alarm system. Without these foundational measures in place, you’re essentially leaving your most valuable assets exposed to cyber threats.

Let’s explore how each control works to protect your organization.

1. Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets

The first step in securing your organization is protecting and controlling your assets. This control requires you to maintain an up-to-date inventory of all hardware assets within your network. This includes servers, computers, laptops, mobile devices, and any other endpoints connected to your systems. By keeping track of your devices, you ensure that only authorized and approved equipment is granted access to your network. Unauthorized devices? They don’t even get a chance to enter. This helps prevent situations where cybercriminals exploit untracked or forgotten devices as entry points into your system.

2. Inventory and Control of Software Assets

Now that you know what devices you’re working with, you need to make sure that only safe, verified software is running on them. This ensures that every software application installed on your systems is cataloged, monitored, and kept up to date. The goal here is to eliminate any unapproved, outdated, or vulnerable software that could serve as a potential entry point for cybercriminals. By maintaining a list of only authorized software, you reduce the risk of malware, ransomware, and other malicious attacks that could target software vulnerabilities.

3. Data Protection

Imagine your sensitive data as a treasure chest. You wouldn’t leave it unguarded in a public place, right? The same goes for digital information. This control ensures that your organization’s sensitive data, such as customer records, financial details, or proprietary information, is encrypted when it’s stored and when it’s being sent across the network. Additionally, access to this data is tightly controlled to ensure only authorized personnel can view or manipulate it. Whether through encryption or strong data access policies, data protection is about locking down your most valuable assets to prevent unauthorized access and theft.

4. Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software

This control is about ensuring that all devices and applications are securely configured. Default settings for devices and software are often not secure, and cybercriminals know this. By implementing secure configurations, you’re making sure that all security features such as firewalls, anti-malware protection, and access controls are turned on and optimized. This helps reduce vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Essentially, it’s like securing every corner of your digital environment before you open it up for business.

5. Account Management

One of the most common ways for attackers to gain access to your network is through compromised user accounts. The Account Management control focuses on maintaining strict oversight of user accounts, especially those with administrative privileges. Admin accounts can open up a wealth of potential damage, so it’s crucial that access is granted only to those who truly need it. Regular audits of account activity, revoking unnecessary accounts, and enforcing strong password policies all fall under this control. It’s also important to ensure that users are removed from the system when they leave the organization to avoid any lingering access risks.

6. Access Control Management

With the rise of data breaches and hacking attempts, basic password security is no longer enough. Access Control Management ensures that only the right people have access to the right resources at the right time. Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to authenticate themselves with more than just a password, such as through a one-time code sent to their phone. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) ensures that users can only access the information or systems that are necessary for their job. For example, an HR employee shouldn’t have access to financial systems, and an IT admin shouldn’t be able to view customer data. This minimizes the risk of insider threats and data leaks.

Foundational controls: Strengthening your cyber defenses

The CIS basic controls locks on your digital doors, while the CIS foundational controls are the reinforced doors and security cameras. These controls are designed to further protect your organization by providing more advanced measures that ensure a secure environment, especially as you start dealing with more sensitive data and complex systems. Let’s break down each control to understand its importance.

1. Continuous Vulnerability Management

Vulnerabilities in your systems can leave you exposed to cybercriminals. This control ensures that your organization regularly updates systems and scans for any security weaknesses. By proactively identifying vulnerabilities, you can fix them before they are exploited by attackers. This can involve using automated vulnerability scanning tools and applying patches to fix software flaws. Regular monitoring is key to maintaining a secure system and reducing the risk of a breach.

2. Audit Log Management

Audit Log Management involves keeping detailed logs of all system activities, including user actions and system events. These logs help detect suspicious behavior, such as unauthorized access or unusual activity patterns. By regularly reviewing audit logs, you can spot potential threats early and take action before a small issue becomes a full-blown attack.

3. Email and Web Browser Protections

Phishing attacks and malicious websites are some of the most common ways cybercriminals gain access to your systems. This control focuses on deploying email security solutions to block phishing emails that attempt to trick users into revealing passwords or downloading malware. It also involves setting up web browser protections to prevent users from accessing dangerous sites. By protecting your employees from these common attack vectors, you significantly reduce the chances of a successful cyberattack.

4. Malware Defenses

Malware defense is all about keeping your systems clean from malicious software like viruses, ransomware, and spyware. Installing and regularly updating antivirus software helps detect and remove these threats. This control also includes using behavior-based detection systems that can spot malware even if it’s not yet recognized by traditional signature-based software. With cybercriminals constantly developing new types of malware, having up-to-date defenses is essential for protecting your systems.

5. Data Recovery Capability

Data loss can be catastrophic for any business. This control ensures that your organization regularly backs up critical data to recover quickly from cyberattacks, such as ransomware. Having a solid data recovery plan in place helps minimize downtime in the event of an attack. It’s not just about backing up data, but also ensuring that the backups are secure and can be restored quickly and effectively. This helps your organization stay resilient, even in the face of a major breach.

6. Network Infrastructure Management

Your network is the backbone of your digital operations, and protecting it is crucial. Network Infrastructure Management involves securing network devices like firewalls, routers, and switches to prevent unauthorized access. Proper configuration and management of these devices ensure that your network is segmented and that traffic is filtered to block malicious activity. This also includes using encryption for sensitive communications and setting up intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual network behavior.

7. Security Awareness and Skills Training

Your employees are often the first line of defense against cyber threats. Security Awareness and Skills Training involves educating employees about cybersecurity risks like phishing, social engineering, and password management. When employees are well-informed and know how to recognize suspicious activity, they become an active part of your security strategy. Regular training helps create a culture of security awareness, making it less likely that an employee will fall for a scam or inadvertently expose the organization to a breach.

8. Service Provider Management

Third-party vendors and contractors can also pose a security risk if their practices aren’t up to par. This control ensures that your service providers follow strong security policies and comply with your organization’s cybersecurity standards. Whether it’s cloud services, IT support, or suppliers, it’s important to assess the security posture of third parties and enforce security measures, such as encryption and data protection, in your contracts. Vendor risk management helps minimize vulnerabilities that arise from outside your organization.

9. Application Software Security

Applications are prime targets for cyberattacks, especially if they contain coding flaws. This control focuses on securing applications through secure coding practices and regular code reviews. It also includes patch management, vulnerability testing, and whitelisting to ensure that only secure applications are used. By implementing this policy, you reduce the risk of introducing vulnerabilities into your applications that could be exploited by attackers.

10. Incident Response Management

Incident Response Management ensures that your organization is ready to handle any security incident effectively. This control involves developing a clear plan for responding to security breaches, including identifying the source of the attack, containing the damage, and recovering systems. The plan should also include communication protocols for informing stakeholders and regulatory bodies. Regular incident response drills ensure that your team knows what to do when the real thing happens, minimizing the impact of the attack.

Organizational controls: The strategic approach to cybersecurity

When it comes to protecting your organization from cyber threats, organizational controls take the long-term, strategic approach. These controls focus on policies, management, and creating a security-focused culture, making cybersecurity a part of your business processes. Think of these as the high-level systems and frameworks that ensure cybersecurity is a priority at every level of the organization. Let’s take a closer look at each control and how it contributes to your overall security posture.

1. Penetration Testing

A Penetration Test (often referred to as a “pen test”) is like hiring ethical hackers to break into your systems. This control involves simulating cyberattacks to find vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do. By testing your defenses in real-world scenarios, you can identify weaknesses in your systems, networks, and applications. Once these vulnerabilities are discovered, they can be fixed before a real attacker can exploit them. Regular pen testing helps you stay one step ahead, ensuring that your defenses remain effective against evolving threats.

2. Security Management Program

A Security Management Program is the backbone of your organization’s cybersecurity strategy. This control requires you to establish a formal, comprehensive cybersecurity policy that outlines security goals, responsibilities, and procedures. It ensures that cybersecurity is treated as an ongoing, structured process rather than an afterthought. A solid security management program sets clear expectations for employees, establishes protocols for handling sensitive information, and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory standards. It provides the governance framework that helps guide decisions and actions throughout the organization.

3. Incident Response Testing

When a cyberattack occurs, the clock is ticking. How quickly and effectively your organization can respond often determines the extent of the damage. Incident Response Testing ensures that your organization is prepared to handle a breach when it happens. This control involves regularly testing your incident response plans through drills and tabletop exercises. By running simulated attack scenarios, you can assess how well your team reacts to various situations, identify gaps in your response strategy, and fine-tune your plan for better efficiency. These tests ensure that everyone knows their role in the event of a cyberattack, helping to reduce response time and minimize damage.

4. Security Culture and Training

A strong Security Culture is essential to ensuring that cybersecurity is woven into the fabric of your organization. This control focuses on promoting a security-first mindset across all levels of the organization. It involves continuous training and awareness programs to ensure that employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and are aware of the latest threats. Regular training helps employees recognize phishing attempts, social engineering attacks, and other common cyber risks. By fostering a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility, you significantly reduce the likelihood of human error, which is often the weakest link in cybersecurity defenses.

Which CIS control group is right for your business?

Choosing the right CIS control group depends on your unique security needs and the type of data you handle. Let’s break it down:

Basic Controls: If you’re a small business or startup, Basic Controls are your starting point. These are perfect for organizations with minimal cybersecurity requirements. Think of them as the essential first step to get your digital house in order to secure your devices, manage user accounts, and lock down critical systems.
Foundational Controls: If your business deals with sensitive customer data like payment details, health records, or personal information, you will want to look at Foundational Controls. These controls are designed to safeguard businesses that need to comply with regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR. If protecting privacy and maintaining compliance are your top priorities, these controls provide a robust framework to ensure you’re meeting industry standards while keeping your data secure.
Organizational Controls: For businesses in industries where the stakes are higher, like government agencies, defense contractors, critical infrastructure, or biotech research, Organizational Controls are essential. These controls focus on embedding cybersecurity into your organization’s strategic policies and governance. It ensures the highest level of security across every aspect of your operation.

How to implement CIS controls to reduce cyber risks

Adopting the CIS security controls is not an all-or-nothing task. You don’t need to implement all 20 controls at once, especially if your organization has limited resources. Instead, you can take a phased approach that aligns with your budget, manpower, and immediate security needs. Here’s how to get started:

Assess your cyber risks: The first step is to identify what matters most to your organization. Start by pinpointing your critical data and assets. Once you know what needs protection, conduct a thorough risk assessment to understand the potential threats. What are the vulnerabilities in your system? Who might target your data? What could be the consequences if an attack were successful? By understanding your risk landscape, you can make smarter decisions about where to allocate resources and which controls to implement first.
Compare your current security to CIS controls: Next, take a hard look at your current security posture. Compare your existing measures with those of the CIS controls to identify any gaps. What controls are you already implementing? Where are you falling short? This comparison helps you understand where your organization stands and what’s missing. Are your basic controls like asset inventory and access management in place? Do you need to upgrade your vulnerability management practices? Pinpointing these gaps will give you a clear roadmap for where to focus your efforts first.
Prioritize key controls: Once you have a clear understanding of your risks and gaps, it’s time to prioritize your actions. Start with the basic controls. Once those are in place, move on to the foundational controls, which provide more advanced protections. If your organization is handling highly sensitive data or operating in regulated industries, you might need to implement organizational controls as well, which focus on policies and governance. By prioritizing these controls in phases, you can build your defenses in a manageable way while focusing on the most critical areas first.
Secure executive buy-in: No security strategy can succeed without support from the top. Executive buy-in is essential for allocating the resources, both financial and human needed to implement CIS controls effectively. Engage with your leadership team and make the case for why cybersecurity is a top priority. Share the risks, explain the value of the controls, and show how CIS controls align with your organization’s broader goals. Once you have their backing, you can secure the budget and personnel needed to roll out your security initiatives.
Implement and monitor progress: With your plans in place and the necessary resources secured, it’s time to implement the controls. Start small, and then expand as your organization becomes more comfortable with the process. But implementation doesn’t stop there. Continuous monitoring is key to maintaining a strong security posture. Regularly review and update your policies, track your progress, and stay flexible to adjust to emerging threats. Cybersecurity is an ongoing effort, not a one-time fix.

Secure today, thrive tomorrow

Cyber threats aren’t going anywhere. Organizations must adopt CIS critical security controls to stay ahead of cybercriminals. These controls provide a clear roadmap for securing systems, protecting data, and ensuring compliance.

At the end of the day, cybersecurity isn’t just about compliance, it’s about survival. Is your business ready to defend itself?

References:
1. Cybercrime Magazine
2. Watch Guard
3. Change Healthcare
4. Wikipedia

FAQs

1. What are CIS Controls, and why are they important for cybersecurity?

CIS Controls, also known as CIS Critical Security Controls, are a set of best practices designed to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture. The CIS Controls framework provides a prioritized approach to mitigating threats, protecting sensitive data, and preventing cyberattacks by implementing key security measures.

2. How do CIS Critical Security Controls help organizations reduce cybersecurity risks?

CIS Critical Security Controls help organizations by offering a structured framework to identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats. These CIS Security Controls focus on essential security measures like access control, continuous monitoring, and incident response to minimize vulnerabilities and improve overall defense strategies.

3. What are the key components of the CIS Controls framework?

The CIS Controls framework is divided into three categories: Basic, Foundational, and Organizational CIS Security Controls. These include essential security measures such as asset inventory management, vulnerability management, secure configuration, and continuous monitoring, all aimed at enhancing an organization’s cybersecurity resilience.

4. How can businesses implement CIS Security Controls effectively?

To implement CIS Security Controls effectively, businesses should first assess their current security posture and identify gaps. Next, they should follow the CIS Controls framework, prioritizing the most critical controls based on their risk profile. Regular monitoring, employee training, and updating security policies are also essential for maintaining strong cybersecurity defenses.

5. Are CIS Controls suitable for small businesses, or are they only for large enterprises?

CIS Controls are designed to be scalable and adaptable, making them suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises. The CIS Critical Security Controls provide a flexible framework that organizations of all sizes can use to enhance their security measures, reduce cyber risks, and comply with industry best practices.

What are CIS controls and how can they protect your business from cybersecurity risks?

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