Most small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) recognize growing cybersecurity maturity is necessary to safeguard their essential data and operations. Cybersecurity can also be challenging for SMBs who do not have the in-house expertise to dedicate to information security. Discovering and using tailored cybersecurity tools and frameworks is one of the best ways to improve security posture.
CISA Cyber Essentials
Cyber Essentials is a guide developed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to help SMBs improve their cybersecurity posture. It provides an actionable understanding of where to start implementing organizational cybersecurity practices.
Cyber Essentials provides a clear and manageable starting point if you’re just beginning a cybersecurity journey. The affordable and essential security measures recommended by Cyber Essentials can make it easier to get buy-in from budget-conscious leadership.
How CISA Cyber Essentials Supports SMBs
Clear Roadmap: The Cyber Essentials guide provides a clear and structured roadmap for improving cybersecurity, making it more manageable for SMBs to follow and implement the guidelines.
Introductory Protection and Progressive Steps: The guide offers foundational security measures that are easy to implement. Organizations can progressively build cybersecurity capabilities, beginning with basic measures and advancing to more sophisticated controls as business needs develop.
Cost-Effective: The measures recommended are designed to be affordable and practical for SMBs with limited budgets for cybersecurity. Many of the framework’s controls can be implemented using existing resources and tools, minimizing additional costs.
Helpful Resources: For users without extensive cyber maturity development and security experience, CISA’s Cyber Essentials Toolkits and Cyber Essentials Starter Kit are easy-to-understand resources for efficient implementation with straightforward and scalable guidelines.
CIS Controls
The Center for Internet Security’s (CIS) Controls are a recommended set of best practices for securing data and information technology (IT) systems with specific and actionable strategies to help protect against known cyber threats.
The Benefits of CIS Controls
Prioritized Approach: The prioritized approach targets the most critical security measures first, delivering timely results by addressing the most significant threats first.
Actionable Steps: The clear, specific actions provided make implementation straightforward. While partnering with a cybersecurity consultant provides additional insight, it is not required to follow the basic guidelines.
Cost-Effective: Designed to be affordable and practical for SMBs, many controls can be implemented with minimal expense.
Detailed Guidance: Tools, templates, and companion guides are provided to help implement best practices, offering detailed guidance.
Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, with recommendations based on the organization’s cybersecurity maturity level.
When To Consider CIS Controls
Resource-constrained businesses will find the CIS Controls cost-effective and practical for improving cybersecurity with limited budgets. These controls focus on the most critical areas first and set businesses up for success for future compliance with PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and other industry regulations.
NIST CSF
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) comprehensively covers security fundamentals with easy-to-follow steps for enhancing cyber maturity. It’s an excellent tool for SMBs looking to improve cybersecurity practices and align with industry standards or regulations.
How Does NIST CSF Support SMBs?
Flexibility: This framework is suitable for any industry or size of business. The comprehensiveness of the NIST CSF allows organizations to take a tailored approach by only implementing the controls most relevant to their business operations.
Self-Assessment Tools and Resources: Self-assessment and auditing resources, Quick Start Guides, and the Small Business Cybersecurity Corner provide clarity on complex areas, making adoption easier to execute.
Comprehensive Coverage: The framework addresses a wide range of cybersecurity issues, making it suitable for businesses at various stages of cybersecurity maturity.
Risk Management: Like CIS Controls, NIST CSF helps prioritize cybersecurity efforts based on risk, focusing on the areas where a cyber attack could cause the most damage.
Continuous Improvement: The framework encourages regular updates and improvements to security practices. It’s not just a one-time setup; it evolves with business needs, evolving threats, and security posture.
When To Consider NIST CSF
Businesses with diverse needs will benefit from the NIST CSF’s comprehensive approach, especially if operating in a highly regulated industry or dealing with sensitive data. This framework provides organizations with a long-term, evolving solution which can be tailored to business needs, making it a suitable framework for SMBs.
Receive Guidance With Any Framework Through RAMPxchange
Assessing and improving cybersecurity maturity is essential for small businesses to protect against ongoing threats. Each of these tools provide accessible and effective baselines for any organization looking to bolster its cybersecurity defenses, regardless of where a business stands in its cybersecurity journey.
From selecting and implementing the best cybersecurity framework to outsourcing your cybersecurity needs, partnering with the RAMPxchange marketplace provides organizations with expert guidance to improve cybersecurity maturity. Connect with a RAMPxchange representative today to learn more.