CIS Controls Guides
Complete guides to CIS Critical Security Controls, implementation groups, benchmarks, and mapping to other frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001.
What are CIS Controls?
If you're building a security program for your organization, you've likely encountered references to CIS Controls. This guide explains what they are, why they matter, and how they can help you establish a practical, prioritized approach to cybersecurity.
CIS Controls v8: Complete List of Controls and Safeguards
This guide provides a comprehensive reference to all 18 CIS Controls and their 153 safeguards. Use this as a reference when building your security program or mapping CIS Controls to other frameworks like SOC 2 or ISO 27001.
CIS Controls Implementation Groups: IG1, IG2, and IG3 Explained
One of the most valuable features of the CIS Controls framework is its Implementation Groups model. Rather than presenting all 153 safeguards as equally important, Implementation Groups help organizations prioritize based on their resources, risk profile, and security maturity.
CIS Controls vs ISO 27001: Framework Comparison
Both CIS Controls and ISO 27001 help organizations build stronger security programs, but they serve different purposes. This guide explains how these frameworks differ, when to use each, and how they can work together.
CIS Controls vs NIST CSF: Framework Comparison
Both CIS Controls and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) are widely used, freely available security frameworks developed by US organizations. However, they serve different purposes and complement each other well. This guide explains the differences and helps you decide how to use each.
CIS Controls for Startups and SMBs
Building security at a startup or SMB presents a unique challenge: you need solid protection without the resources of an enterprise security team. CIS Controls, specifically Implementation Group 1 (IG1), provides a practical path forward.
CIS Benchmarks: Hardening Your Infrastructure
CIS Benchmarks are detailed configuration guides developed by the Center for Internet Security to help organizations secure their systems. While CIS Controls tell you what security capabilities to have, CIS Benchmarks tell you exactly how to configure specific technologies securely.
How to Implement CIS Controls
This guide provides a practical implementation roadmap for CIS Controls. Whether you're starting from scratch or formalizing existing practices, these steps will help you build a security program based on CIS Controls effectively.
CIS Controls Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist to track your CIS Controls implementation progress. This guide provides a structured approach to evaluating and documenting your compliance with CIS Controls v8, focusing on Implementation Group 1 (IG1) safeguards that every organization should implement.
CIS Controls and SOC 2 Mapping
Understanding how CIS Controls map to SOC 2 helps organizations implement security controls that satisfy both frameworks efficiently. This guide provides a detailed mapping between CIS Controls v8 safeguards and SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria.
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