CIS Critical Security Controls: What They Are and How to Implement Them

Introduction

In an era where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, organizations must take proactive measures to safeguard their networks, data, and systems. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) has developed a set of security best practices known as the CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture. These controls provide a prioritized and practical approach to address the most common and severe cyber risks.

In this article, we will explore the significance of CIS Critical Security Controls, the 20 key controls, and how organizations can implement them effectively to safeguard their assets from emerging threats.

Key Takeaways

• The CIS Critical Security Controls are a set of 20 prioritized cybersecurity best practices designed to protect organizations from cyber threats.
• These controls are developed by cybersecurity experts and focus on the most common and severe risks, offering organizations a roadmap to improve their security posture.
• Effective implementation of CIS controls requires a strategic approach, involving regular assessments, training, and continuous monitoring to ensure long-term resilience against cyberattacks.

What is a CIS Critical Security Control?

A CIS Critical Security Control is one of a set of 20 best practices developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS) to help organizations defend against the most common and impactful cybersecurity threats. These controls are designed to be practical and actionable, providing organizations with a framework for prioritizing their cybersecurity efforts. The CIS Controls cover a broad range of cybersecurity practices, from inventory management and secure configurations to monitoring and incident response.

How are the CIS Controls Essential?

The CIS Controls are essential because they provide organizations with a comprehensive, prioritized approach to cybersecurity. Instead of attempting to address every possible security threat, the CIS Controls focus on the most critical and effective areas that deliver the greatest impact in reducing risk. This makes them especially valuable for organizations that may not have the resources or expertise to implement a broad range of security measures.

Furthermore, these controls help organizations manage cybersecurity risks in a structured and systematic manner, ensuring that security efforts are not only focused on preventing attacks but also on building resilience and ensuring quick recovery in the event of a breach. The practical nature of the CIS Controls, which real-world cybersecurity experts support, makes them highly effective for both small and large organizations, regardless of industry.

By implementing these controls, businesses can achieve compliance with industry regulations, safeguard sensitive data, protect their intellectual property, and maintain the trust of their customers and stakeholders.

The 20 Key CIS Critical Security Controls Explained

The CIS Controls are divided into three categories: Basic, Foundational, and Organizational. Each category includes a set of specific practices designed to build a comprehensive cybersecurity defense.

• Inventory and Control of Hardware Assets (Basic) This control requires organizations to maintain an accurate and up-to-date inventory of all hardware devices connected to the network. By having a complete inventory, businesses can better detect unauthorized devices and ensure that all assets are properly secured. Regular inventory checks also help in minimizing the risk of device-based vulnerabilities.
• Inventory and Control of Software Assets (Basic) This control involves managing the software running on the network, including regular updates and patches. Identifying and removing unauthorized or unapproved software prevents the installation of malicious programs and ensures that only authorized software is running on devices.
• Continuous Vulnerability Management (Basic) Organizations must establish a process for continuously identifying, assessing, and remediating vulnerabilities. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management are key components of this control to ensure that systems remain secure and resistant to exploitations.
• Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges (Basic) Limiting administrative privileges is crucial for minimizing the potential damage from compromised accounts. This control advocates for the use of the least privilege principle and restricting administrative access of critical systems to authorized users only.
• Secure Configuration for Hardware and Software (Foundational) Ensuring that hardware and software configurations follow security best practices helps reduce the attack surface. This includes eliminating unnecessary services, disabling default accounts, and applying hardening guidelines to prevent unauthorized access.
• Maintenance, Monitoring, and Analysis of Audit Logs (Foundational) Effective log management is essential for detecting and responding to suspicious activities. This control involves capturing and analyzing logs from critical systems to identify potential threats, unusual behavior, or breaches.
• Email and Web Browser Protections (Foundational) Email and web browsers are common entry points for cyberattacks, especially phishing and malware. This control involves configuring email systems to detect malicious attachments and using secure browsing practices to prevent web-based threats.
• Malware Defenses (Foundational) Implementing antivirus and anti-malware tools to detect and mitigate malware is a critical security measure. Regular updates and the use of heuristic analysis ensure that systems are protected against evolving malware threats.
• Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Services, and Protocols (Foundational) This control focuses on minimizing the attack surface by limiting the number of open network ports and disabling unnecessary services. Properly configuring network services and ensuring that only essential protocols are active helps prevent unauthorized access.
• Data Recovery Capabilities (Foundational) Having a robust data recovery plan ensures that critical data can be restored in case of an attack. Regular backups, secure storage, and a tested recovery process are essential components of this control.
• Secure Configuration for Network Devices (Foundational) This control focuses on securing network infrastructure by configuring devices like routers, firewalls, and switches according to best practices. Strong password policies, segmentation, and proper access controls are necessary for securing network devices.
• Boundary Defense (Organizational) Implementing strong defenses at the perimeter of the network helps protect against external threats. Firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and network segmentation are key strategies to limit unauthorized access.
• Data Protection (Organizational) Sensitive data must be protected through encryption and access control. This control emphasizes the importance of safeguarding personal, financial, and proprietary information both in transit and at rest.
• Controlled Access Based on the Need to Know (Organizational) Restricting access to sensitive data and systems based on role and necessity minimizes the risk of internal threats. By enforcing role-based access controls (RBAC), organizations can ensure that employees only have access to information necessary for their tasks.
• Wireless Access Control (Organizational) Managing wireless network access is critical to prevent unauthorized connections. This control advocates for using strong encryption protocols, monitoring wireless traffic, and implementing access restrictions to secure wireless networks.
• Account Monitoring and Control (Organizational) Regular monitoring and management of user accounts are essential to prevent unauthorized access. This includes enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, deactivating inactive accounts, and tracking account usage.
• Security Awareness and Skills Training (Organizational) Employee training is key to reducing human error and fostering a security-conscious culture. By educating employees on best practices, phishing prevention, and handling sensitive data, organizations can significantly lower the risk of successful attacks.
• Application Software Security (Organizational) Ensuring that application software is secure from development to deployment is critical. This includes conducting code reviews, security testing, and patching vulnerabilities within applications before they are exploited.
• Incident Response Management (Organizational) A well-defined and practiced incident response plan ensures a swift and effective reaction to cyber incidents. This control advocates for having a team in place to handle and mitigate security incidents and minimize their impact on the organization.
• Penetration Testing (Organizational) Regular penetration testing simulates real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. This control helps organizations understand potential weaknesses and improve their overall security posture.

How to Effectively Implement the CIS Critical Security Controls?

Implementing the CIS Controls requires careful planning, coordination, and ongoing management. Here are some strategies for successful implementation:

• Assess Your Current Security Posture: Before implementing the controls, perform a comprehensive security audit to assess your organization’s current security posture. Identify any gaps in security practices and prioritize the controls based on your organization's specific needs.
• Establish a Security Governance Framework: Create a cybersecurity governance framework that outlines roles, responsibilities, and processes for implementing and maintaining the CIS Controls. This ensures accountability and that all team members are aligned with the organization’s security objectives.
• Begin with Basic Controls: Start by focusing on the basic CIS Controls, which provide the foundation for a robust cybersecurity defense. Once these are implemented, gradually move on to more advanced controls that further enhance your security posture.
• Train Your Employees: Employee training is critical for the successful implementation of the CIS Controls. Ensure that staff members are trained in secure practices and are aware of how they can contribute to the organization’s cybersecurity efforts.
• Continuously Monitor and Review: Cybersecurity is not a one-time task; it requires ongoing monitoring and adjustment. Regularly review the implementation of the CIS Controls to ensure they are still effective and adjust them as necessary to respond to new threats.

Why MetricStream?

The CIS Critical Security Controls offer a powerful and structured approach to enhancing cybersecurity within organizations, regardless of size or industry. By focusing on the most impactful areas of security, these controls provide organizations with a practical roadmap to reduce cyber risks, improve resilience, and safeguard critical assets from evolving threats.

Incorporating the CIS Controls into your cybersecurity strategy will not only help mitigate potential threats but also position your organization to confidently navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cyber risks. With MetricStream’s CyberGRC including Continuous Control Monitoring solutions, your organization can automate both monitoring and testing of cloud security controls to ensure that cloud security controls are always in sync with compliance requirements. For more information, request a personalized demo.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a CIS Critical Security Control?

  CIS Critical Security Controls are a set of 20 cybersecurity best practices designed to help organizations protect themselves against the most common and severe cyber threats.

• Why is a CIS Critical Security Control important?

  CIS Critical Security Controls are important because they provide organizations with a practical and prioritized approach to managing cybersecurity risks, significantly reducing their exposure to cyber threats.

• How to implement CIS Critical Security Controls?

  Implementing CIS Critical Security Controls involves assessing your current security posture, establishing a governance framework, prioritizing the controls based on your organization's needs, training employees, and continuously monitoring and reviewing security practices.