COMPLIANCE & FRAMEWORKS
We prioritize the alignment of your business's regulatory compliance and cybersecurity infrastructure with your overarching business goals. We understand that each organization is unique, with its own set of objectives, challenges, and regulatory requirements. That's why we take the time to thoroughly assess your business's needs, identify potential risks and compliance gaps, and tailor our solutions to align with your specific goals and priorities. By integrating regulatory compliance and cybersecurity into your business strategy, we help you enhance operational efficiency, mitigate risks, and foster a culture of security awareness, ultimately supporting your long-term success and growth.
Our experts help you navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
We are experts in regulatory compliance and frameworks, ensuring your business adheres to industry standards and legal requirements.
Reach out today to discover how we can tailor the appropriate controls, risk analysis, and compliance assurance to align with your specific industry needs. Our team will ensure your business stays ahead of regulatory requirements, safeguarding your operations with precision and confidence.
In the United States, regulatory security and privacy compliance play a vital role in safeguarding critical infrastructure across various sectors. Regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), NERC CIP (North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection), and others are designed to protect sensitive data, ensure privacy, and mitigate cybersecurity risks within different areas of critical infrastructure.
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HIPAA, for example, sets strict standards for safeguarding protected health information (PHI) in the healthcare sector, while GLBA mandates financial institutions to implement measures to protect customer financial data. PCI-DSS governs the security of payment card data, ensuring that organizations handling cardholder information maintain secure systems and networks. NERC CIP focuses on enhancing the cybersecurity posture of the electric utility sector to safeguard critical infrastructure against cyber threats.
To achieve and maintain compliance with these regulations, organizations often rely on established security frameworks such as NIST 800-53, ISO-27001, NIST CSF, SOC 1 or 2, and others. These frameworks provide comprehensive guidelines and best practices for implementing effective cybersecurity controls, managing risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
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At ISA Cyber Threat Infrastructure, we understand the complexities of regulatory security and privacy compliance, as well as the challenges faced by Veteran-owned small and medium-sized businesses in meeting these requirements. Our team of subject matter experts specializes in helping organizations incorporate industry-leading security frameworks into their cybersecurity programs to ensure that they are up to the latest security and compliance standards. From developing customized compliance strategies to implementing robust security controls, we work closely with our clients to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and protect their critical assets. With our expertise and dedication, we empower organizations to navigate the regulatory landscape with confidence and achieve compliance excellence.
HIPAA
HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal law enacted in 1996 in the United States. Its primary goal is to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information, known as protected health information (PHI). HIPAA establishes standards and regulations that govern how healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses handle, store, and transmit PHI, aiming to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive health data.
NERC CIP
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) standards are a set of cybersecurity regulations established to enhance the security and resilience of the North American electric grid. NERC CIP standards mandate specific requirements for the protection of critical cyber assets, ensuring the reliability and integrity of the electric infrastructure. These standards apply to electric utilities and organizations responsible for the operation and maintenance of bulk power systems, addressing areas such as security management, access control, incident response, and physical security. NERC CIP standards aim to mitigate cyber threats and vulnerabilities to safeguard the reliability and stability of the electric grid, ultimately ensuring the continuous delivery of electricity to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
FISMA
The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) is a United States federal law enacted in 2002 to establish comprehensive cybersecurity requirements for federal government agencies. FISMA mandates that federal agencies implement information security programs to protect their information systems and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. The law requires agencies to develop and maintain risk-based security programs, conduct regular risk assessments, and implement appropriate security controls based on standards and guidelines established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Compliance with FISMA is essential for federal agencies to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive government information and to mitigate cybersecurity risks effectively.
ISO 27001
ISO/IEC 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a systematic approach for organizations to manage and protect their information assets, regardless of industry or size. ISO 27001 sets out requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an ISMS, which includes policies, procedures, and controls to address information security risks.
The standard covers a broad range of security domains, including access control, cryptography, physical security, and incident management. By adopting ISO 27001, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive information and complying with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements related to information security.
ISO 27001 certification is valuable for organizations seeking to enhance their credibility, build trust with stakeholders, and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. It provides assurance to customers, partners, and regulators that the organization has implemented robust information security practices and is committed to safeguarding sensitive data. Compliance with ISO 27001 helps organizations mitigate security risks, improve resilience to cyber threats, and achieve a competitive advantage in today's digital economy.
NIST CSF
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a voluntary framework designed to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. It provides a flexible, risk-based approach to cybersecurity that can be customized to meet the specific needs and objectives of organizations across all sectors and sizes.
The NIST CSF consists of three main components: the Core, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles. The Core presents a set of cybersecurity activities and outcomes organized into five functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These functions provide a comprehensive framework for managing cybersecurity risks throughout the organization.
Implementation Tiers help organizations assess their current cybersecurity posture and align their efforts with their risk management objectives. Profiles allow organizations to create a roadmap for improving their cybersecurity capabilities by identifying and prioritizing areas for improvement based on their risk tolerance and business requirements.
By adopting the NIST CSF, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity resilience, improve collaboration and communication across departments, and align their cybersecurity efforts with business goals and objectives. The framework serves as a valuable tool for managing cybersecurity risks, enhancing organizational resilience, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and accountability. Compliance with the NIST CSF helps organizations demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity and build trust with stakeholders, customers, and partners.
The current version of the CSF is 2.0. Version 2.0 introduces enhanced guidance for managing cybersecurity risks in a dynamic environment, reflecting the rapid technological advancements and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. It emphasizes a more integrated and flexible approach to risk management, promoting better alignment with other frameworks and standards. Additionally, CSF 2.0 incorporates feedback from a broader range of stakeholders, leading to more comprehensive and practical guidance for organizations of all sizes and sectors. This version also places greater emphasis on supply chain risk management, ensuring that organizations address vulnerabilities not just within their own systems, but also within their extended network of partners and suppliers.
GLBA
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, is a federal law in the United States that aims to protect consumers' personal financial information held by financial institutions. GLBA requires financial institutions to implement measures to safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of customer information, including social security numbers, account numbers, and credit histories. It also mandates that financial institutions provide consumers with notices of their privacy policies and practices and give them the opportunity to opt-out of certain information-sharing arrangements. Overall, GLBA is designed to enhance consumer privacy and promote trust in the financial services industry by regulating how financial institutions handle and protect sensitive personal financial information.
PCI-DSS
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a set of security standards established to protect payment card data and ensure the secure handling of sensitive cardholder information. PCI-DSS applies to organizations that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card data, including merchants, financial institutions, and service providers. The standard outlines requirements for maintaining a secure payment environment, including measures such as encryption, access control, network security, and regular monitoring. Compliance with PCI-DSS helps prevent data breaches and protects consumers from unauthorized access to their payment card information. Adherence to PCI-DSS is typically enforced by payment card brands and is required for organizations that handle payment card transactions, promoting trust and confidence in the security of electronic payment systems.
NIST 800-53
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 provides a comprehensive set of security controls and guidelines for federal information systems in the United States. NIST 800-53 outlines security and privacy controls designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information and resources. These controls cover various areas of cybersecurity, including access control, risk management, incident response, encryption, and security assessment. NIST 800-53 is widely adopted by federal agencies and serves as a foundational framework for implementing effective cybersecurity programs and ensuring compliance with federal regulations such as the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). Compliance with NIST 800-53 helps organizations mitigate cybersecurity risks, enhance their security posture, and safeguard critical assets and information from cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
CIS Controls
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls, formerly known as the SANS Top 20 Critical Security Controls, is a set of best practices developed to help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture and mitigate common cyber threats. The CIS Controls provide a prioritized approach to cybersecurity, outlining actionable security measures across various domains, such as inventory and control of hardware assets, continuous vulnerability assessment and remediation, and secure configuration of software and devices. By implementing the CIS Controls, organizations can establish a baseline for cybersecurity hygiene and focus their efforts on addressing the most critical security issues, thereby reducing their overall risk exposure.
When used in conjunction with other frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) or ISO/IEC 27001, the CIS Controls can complement existing cybersecurity initiatives and enhance overall security resilience. For example, organizations can align the CIS Controls with the NIST CSF's framework of functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that addresses both proactive and reactive security measures. Additionally, integrating the CIS Controls into an organization's risk management framework, such as ISO/IEC 27001, enables businesses to establish a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks while leveraging the actionable guidance provided by the CIS Controls to implement effective security controls. By combining these frameworks, organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity defenses, improve regulatory compliance, and better protect their critical assets from cyber threats.
SOC 2
System and Organization Controls (SOC) reports, specifically SOC 1 and SOC 2, are standards developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to assess the effectiveness of controls at service organizations.
SOC 1 reports, previously known as SAS 70 reports, focus on controls relevant to financial reporting. They are used by service organizations that provide services that could impact their clients' financial reporting, such as payroll processing or financial statement preparation. SOC 1 reports evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls related to financial reporting.
SOC 2 reports, on the other hand, focus on controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. They are used by service organizations that handle sensitive customer data or provide cloud services. SOC 2 reports assess the effectiveness of controls relevant to these trust services criteria, providing assurance to clients and stakeholders about the security and reliability of the service organization's systems and processes.
Both SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports are valuable for service organizations seeking to demonstrate the effectiveness of their controls and provide assurance to clients and stakeholders. These reports help service organizations build trust and confidence in their services, differentiate themselves in the marketplace, and meet compliance requirements. Additionally, SOC reports can be used by clients to fulfill their own regulatory and compliance obligations, making them an essential component of third-party risk management.
At ISACTI, we specialize in providing comprehensive cybersecurity and regulatory compliance solutions tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized organizations. Our team of experts has extensive experience navigating the complex landscape of regulatory requirements and security frameworks, including HIPAA, GLBA, PCI-DSS, NERC CIP, ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, NIST CSF, and SOC 1 or 2. Whether you need assistance in developing and implementing a robust compliance program, conducting risk assessments, or aligning with industry best practices, we have the knowledge and expertise to guide you every step of the way. With our personalized approach and dedication to excellence, we empower small and medium-sized organizations to achieve compliance, enhance cybersecurity resilience, and mitigate risks effectively. Contact us today with questions or project inquiries.