What is Cybersecurity Framework?
Last Updated :
13 Aug, 2024
In this era of data, organizations need to safeguard their systems and deploy frameworks that reduce the risk of cyberattacks. The data an organization has is an asset for it that should be protected from theft and destruction. This is where Cybersecurity frameworks come into the picture.
What is a Framework?
To understand a cybersecurity framework, first know what a framework is. When making a software project, starting everything from scratch might be tedious. A framework is a pre-built software that we can use as a foundation for our project without having to start from scratch. This makes the task of developers easy and less time-consuming. A framework takes care of the low-level functionality of the application such that the developers can entirely focus on the high-level aspects of the application.
What is a Cyber Security Framework?
A cybersecurity framework is a set of rules common to all security leaders that they must abide by. It is a set of standards and practices that organizations follow to reduce cybersecurity risks. They help the company to identify its weak spots that might lead to data breaches and cyber-attacks. Every organization has a risk management strategy, which when combined with a cybersecurity framework, protects the organization from cyber-attacks.
When a cybersecurity framework is already defined across all industries and countries, it becomes easier for organizations to further add policies and techniques that will help safeguard them from cyber-attacks.
A cybersecurity framework is like a bare minimum set of rules that all organizations must follow. However, there is always a scope for improvement by adding their systems to the framework.
Objectives
The ultimate goal of cybersecurity frameworks is to safeguard organizations and governments from cyber risks. However, every cybersecurity framework has these basic objectives:
Components
Every cybersecurity framework has three key components as follows:
- Framework Core: It is simply a set of required strategies and the results they may have in overall cybersecurity. This helps an organization in accessing the gap between current and required safety measures.
- Implementation Tiers: It includes the implementation of policies and guidelines. Starting from the mission to the cost of the program, everything is included in this component.
- Profiles: Profiles are nothing but records unique to each organization. These records have a list of goals, necessities, and assets relating to cybersecurity.
The Five Functions of a Cybersecurity Framework:
A cybersecurity framework is incomplete without these 5 major functions:
- Identification: It involves the basic task of figuring out what needs to work upon and why. This includes collecting information about the system in order to identify the security risks.
- Response: After identifying the risks, the next task is to respond accordingly. This step involves conveying information as needed.
- Protection: Based on the risks identified, this function involves the necessary guidelines that might be needed in order to protect the system.
- Recover: It includes making up for previous cyber risks and attacks.
- Detection: It is a very important function as it helps in detecting a cybersecurity breach before a huge loss occurs.
Cybersecurity Framework in India
When data has become so important, cybersecurity has to be an integral part of every country's national security. But unfortunately, India does not have an organization entirely dedicated to cybersecurity at the national level. There are various agencies that deal with the different facets of cyber security but there is a need to narrow them all down under one broad organization. In India, defense services and state police have their own cyber cells but for optimal results, there is a need to have a managing authority. This authority can set clear guidelines for all the organizations at the national level.
Need For a Cybersecurity Framework
A Cybersecurity framework is important for the following reasons:
- National Security: Technology is ever-evolving and with it arises the need to protect data. Strategies and doctrines of the military often change and thus, a competent cybersecurity framework needs to be in place. This was also suggested by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999.
- Digital Economy: The digital economy of India is around 14-15% of the total economy. The targeted growth in the digital economy by the end of 2024 is 20%. This requires an intact cybersecurity framework.
- Technology Advances: With advances like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), data science, and cloud computing, a huge complexity has been added to the cyber domain. This may also lead to complex issues.
- Data Security: Data is a currency today and it is being reproduced in huge amounts every day. This data is needed to protect in order to maintain the integrity and sovereignty of the nation. This is where the need for cybersecurity comes in.
Some Cybersecurity Frameworks
Let us have a look at some commonly used cybersecurity frameworks:
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Established in response to the order of Obama, the former president of The United States, the NIST framework is a pathway between public and private sectors to collaborate and work together in order to fight against cyber risks.
- FISMA: It stands for The Federal Information Security Management Act. FISMA is a cybersecurity framework that safeguards government systems against cybercrimes. Also, it is not only limited to the government but extends its services to vendors via the federal government.
- SOC2: SOC2 or Service Organization Control Type 2 is a cybersecurity framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It aims at providing cyber security to vendors with around 60 compliance requirements.
- ISO 27001, ISO 27002:Both these are certifications developed by the International Organization for Standardization. It is a standard for validating a cybersecurity program. It is used internationally.
- HIPAA: It is solely made for healthcare organizations. HIPAA or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act provides healthcare organizations with some basic controls to help them protect their information.
Cybersecurity Framework That Must Use
The cybersecurity framework that you must use depends on the needs of your client. A major factor that decided this is the practices that the industry follows. To choose the right framework, one must study the past patterns and measure the risks appropriately. A thorough analysis is a must in order to choose a framework that works best for a specific industry.
What Are the Types of Cyber Security Frameworks?
There are several types of cybersecurity frameworks, each tailored to different needs and objectives. Here are some of the main types:
- Risk The Board Structures: Spotlight on distinguishing, evaluating, and overseeing chances. Models incorporate the NIST Chance Administration System (RMF) and ISO/IEC 27005.
- Compliance Frameworks: Consistence structures are intended to assist associations with meeting explicit administrative necessities. Models incorporate the Medical Coverage Versatility and Responsibility Act (HIPAA) for medical services and the Overall Information Security Guideline (GDPR) for information assurance.
- Control Structures: Give explicit security controls and best practices for safeguarding data frameworks. Models incorporate the Middle for Web Security (CIS) Controls and the NIST Network Protection Structure (CSF).
- Administration Structures: Spotlight on the general administration and administration of network safety rehearsals. Models incorporate COBIT (Control Targets for Data and Related Advances) and ITIL (Data Innovation Framework Library).
- Episode Reaction Structures: Guide associations on the best way to answer and recuperate from security occurrences. Models incorporate the NIST PC Security Occurrence Dealing Guide (SP 800-61) and the SANS Organization's Episode Overseers Handbook.
Top Cyber Security Frameworks
Here are some of the top cybersecurity frameworks widely recognized and used across various industries:
- NIST Network Safety System (CSF): Created by the Public Establishment of Principles and Innovation, this structure provides a complete way to deal with overseeing online protection gambles. It is organized around five core capabilities: recognize, secure, identify, answer, and recover.
- ISO/IEC 27001: A worldwide standard that indicates prerequisites for laying out, carrying out, keeping up with, and ceaselessly further developing a data security executive framework (ISMS). It centers around risk management and is essential for the ISO/IEC 27000 group of norms.
- Place for Web Security (CIS) Controls: A bunch of best practices for getting IT frameworks and information. The CIS Controls are intended to make noteworthy and focused moves toward safeguarding against normal digital dangers.
- COBIT (Control Targets for Data and Related Innovations): A system for creating, executing, observing, and further developing IT administration as the executives rehearse. It centers around adjusting IT to business objectives and overseeing IT gambles.
- NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF): NIST Hazard The board system (RMF) gives an organized interaction to overseeing risk connected with data frameworks. It incorporates ventures for ordering frameworks, choosing and carrying out controls, and surveying their adequacy.
- SANS Basic Security Controls: Created by the SANS Organization, these controls offer a focused and noteworthy way to deal with further developing the network protection act by zeroing in on basic safety efforts.
- Government Hazards and Approval The Executives Program (FedRAMP): A U.S. taxpayer-supported initiative that normalizes the way to deal with security appraisal, approval, and ceaseless observing for cloud administrations.
- General Information Insurance Guideline (GDPR): While not a fundamental structure, GDPR incorporates information security necessities that associations should follow, impacting their network protection rehearsals.
Why Do We Need Cyber Security Frameworks?
Cybersecurity frameworks are essential for several reasons:
- Risk The Executives: Systems provide organized ways to deal with recognizing, evaluating, and overseeing online protection gambles. They assist associations with grasping expected dangers and weaknesses, permitting them to carry out proper controls.
- Normalization: They offer normalized rules and best practices, guaranteeing consistency in safety efforts across various associations and ventures. This aides in maintaining a uniform degree of security and works with consistency.
- Administrative Consistence: Numerous systems line up with lawful and administrative prerequisites, assisting associations with fulfilling consistency guidelines and staying away from legitimate punishments. They give a guide to complying with guidelines like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS.
- Further Developed Security Stance: By following a structure, associations can methodically address different parts of network safety, like gamble the board, episode reaction, and information insurance, prompting a more grounded understanding of the general security act.
- Occurrence Reaction: Structures frequently remember direction for episode reaction and recuperation, assisting associations with responding successfully to security breaks and limiting harm.
- Asset Designation: They assist with focusing on security endeavors and assigning assets productively by zeroing in on high-influence regions and basic controls.
Advantages of Using a Cybersecurity Framework
A cybersecurity framework has the following advantages:
- It helps to lay a common standard for all the organizations across the globe. Thus, making it easier for the organizations to work with each other.
- It provides a foundation thus making the process of securing systems cost-effectively.
- It gives the organizations a flexible system that is easy to understand and work with.
- It can be used repeatedly.
Disadvantages of Using a Cybersecurity Framework
Everything comes at some cost and the same is true for cybersecurity frameworks. Here are a few disadvantages of a cyber security framework:
- It might turn out to be expensive.
- It is not as easy as it seems on the outside.
- It needs constant monitoring which again can turn out to be expensive as well as tedious.
- It has to be implemented properly otherwise it might turn out risky.
Conclusion
A broad manual for further developing an association's network protection act is given by a network safety structure. It helps with perceiving, protecting against, identifying, responding to, and recuperating from digital assaults by offering a coordinated cycle. Laying major areas of strength for out strategies requires the utilization of structures like ISO/IEC 27001, NIST's Online protection System, and others. They make it workable for organizations to assess existing security conventions in a calculated way, spot flimsy parts, and set up effective controls to safeguard their assets. To guarantee that security drives are in accordance with corporate goals, administrative consistence, and chance moderation despite an undeniably perplexing computerized world, reception of an online protection system is basic.
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