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Feb292024

NIST cybersecurity framework 2.0

NIST cybersecurity framework 2.0

In a significant step forward to strengthen cybersecurity at all organisations, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently updated its Cybersecurity Framework to Version 2.0. This update marks the first major revision since the framework was introduced in 2014. It reflects a broader scope and enhanced resources for organisations looking to strengthen their digital resilience.

The NIST framework is an American standard that has been harmonized with European Union guidelines through collaborative efforts to create aligned standard assessment rules. This alignment makes NIST’s cybersecurity framework particularly relevant and applicable within Europe.

The ever-changing cybersecurity landscape

The digital age brings unparalleled opportunities for growth and innovation. However, these advances also come with a range of cybersecurity threats that are evolving at an alarming rate. From sophisticated phishing attacks to complex ransomware threats. Businesses today face a constant battle to protect their digital assets and maintain customer trust.

As a result, implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity framework has become essential. The NIST CSF 2.0 serves as a strategic guide for organisations to identify, protect, detect, respond and recover from cybersecurity incidents. Adopting this framework enables organisations to not only mitigate the risk of cyber attacks but also to cultivate a resilient infrastructure. This foundation supports long-term growth and stability, ensuring a secure and prosperous future. growth and stability.

Key updates to the NIST cybersecurity framework

Universal applicability: Unlike its predecessor, CSF 2.0 extends its reach beyond critical infrastructure sectors. From now on it provides guidance for organisations of all sizes and industries. This inclusive approach recognises the universal threat of cyber attacks and the need for a unified defence mechanism.

Enhanced focus on governance: With governance at its core, the revised framework emphasises the importance of strategic cybersecurity decision-making. It emphasises the role of senior leaders in integrating cybersecurity considerations with other critical aspects of business operations, such as finance and reputation management.

Richer resources for implementation: NIST has introduced a range of resources, including quick-start guides, success stories and a searchable catalogue of informative references. These tools are designed to facilitate adoption of the framework, providing organisations with tailored pathways to improve their cybersecurity practices.

Collaborative development: The update is the result of extensive consultations and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders. It ensures that the framework addresses current challenges and adopts best practices in cybersecurity management.

The importance of a robust (NIST) cybersecurity framework

Implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity framework is no longer optional, it has become a necessity. The NIST CSF 2.0 serves as a strategic guide for organisations to identify, protect, detect, respond and recover from cybersecurity incidents. By adopting this framework, organisations can not only reduce the risk of cyber attacks but also build a resilient infrastructure. This supports long-term growth and stability.

Implementing NIST CSF 2.0 in your organisation

Adopting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework requires a tailored approach, one that is in line with your organisation’s specific needs and challenges. It starts with an analysis of your current status quo, followed by identifying improvements and developing a plan to implement them. Involving all levels of the organisation in this process is crucial for fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and resilience.

Conclusion

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 is a testament to the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and the need for adaptive, inclusive strategies to combat them. By embracing this updated framework, organisations can protect themselves against current and emerging threats. Additionally, they can foster a culture of cybersecurity that permeates every level of operations.

For CEOs and managers committed to protecting their organisations from digital threats, CSF 2.0 provides a strategic roadmap to achieving a robust cybersecurity posture. The journey to a secure digital future begins with understanding and implementing the principles outlined in this groundbreaking framework.

Explore how NIST’s CSF 2.0 can transform your organisation’s approach to cybersecurity.

Explore how NIST's cybersecurity framework 2.0 can transform your organisation's approach to cybersecurity

Feel free to contact us to explore how NIST cybersecurity can benefit your organisation. Our advisory and cybersecurity experts will be happy to assist you.

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The purpose of this image is to show how important cyber security is. Think about red teaming vs penetration testing vs culnerability scanning
Feb132024

Red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning.

Red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning

A vulnerability scan, penetration test (pentest) and Red Teaming are different ways to test cybersecurity. The terms are often confused or misused. Do you know which test best fits your needs? In this blog post, we will cover the difference between red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning.

Red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning in brief

Vulnerability Scanning

In a vulnerability scan, we examine an IT system or network for vulnerabilities. In this way we make possible targets visible, for example software that has not been updated on time or settings that are not secure. The results of a vulnerability scan provide an overview of the weaknesses in your organisation’s IT system.

At Securance, we scan with Nessus, Tenable’s vulnerability scanner. You can choose to have your external or internal network scanned. After the scan, one of our ethical hackers reviews whether the vulnerabilities found are false positives. With a false positive, the scan indicates that a vulnerability has been found, while this is not the case. At the end you get a scan report or you can see the results in a dashboard. We help you interpret and resolve the scan results. We do the scanning for free for our customers who have a pentest subscription.

Penetration Testing (pentest)

In a pentest, we also examine your IT system or network for vulnerabilities. But a pentest goes a step further than a vulnerability scan by testing the vulnerabilities found. We break into your IT environment, giving you a better picture of the vulnerabilities and risks in your applications, systems and networks.

Before we begin a pentest, we agree on what you want tested, for example, the systems directly connected to the Internet, the internal infrastructure, the Windows domain, a website, or web application. We also discuss how long the test will take and what access we will have.

In a comprehensive pentest (ransomware vulnerability analysis), we perform at least the following tests:

  • Phishing test 
  • External infrastructure test
  • Internal network test
  • Windows domain test
  • Cloud configuration review
  • Workstation test
  • Wi-Fi test

Upon completion of the pentest, we will write a report on the findings and discuss the results. This allows you to take targeted measures to reduce your risks and improve your security.

Red Teaming

During red teaming, our hackers behave as much as possible like real attackers. The purpose of red teaming is to test an organisation’s defenses against a targeted attack and to see how the organisation responds. While performing the test, the red team tries to remain undetected. Your organisation’s defensive group is called the blue team. This team monitors all systems and responds to incidents.

A red team tests not only the technical security of your system, but also the response of the organisation’s personnel and one defends against an attack. The team tries to circumvent security measures by exploiting weaknesses in the company’s systems, processes and personnel.

Before we begin, we discuss the scope, duration and purpose of the assignment. Upon completion of the test, we discuss whether and how the goal was met and what attacks we used to do so. We compare these actions with the attacks noticed by the blue team. In a comprehensive report, we share our findings and recommendations for improving security.

What do I choose?

Now you have a broad understanding of red teaming vs penetration testing vs vulnerability scanning, but what do you choose within your organization?

The best test depends on your organisation’s purpose and situation. Do you want a broad understanding of the vulnerabilities within your IT system? Then a vulnerability scan is a good choice. It gives a first impression and can help you resolve the most notable vulnerabilities immediately.

Where a vulnerability scan ends, a pentest continues. During pentesting, an ethical hacker goes to see if vulnerabilities are attackable. A pentest is especially suitable when you want to have a specific system or network tested in detail. This allows you to know exactly where the most risks lie.

If you want to know how well your organisation responds to a cyberattack (identify, detect, protect, recover), then you should opt for red teaming. This is the next step if you have already had multiple pentests performed and no high risks or vulnerabilities come out of them.

Want to have your organisation tested?

Would you like to have a vulnerability scan, pentest or red team assignment performed? Or do you have any questions? Call the experts at Securance HackDefense at phone number (+31) 71 204 0101 or send an email to [email protected]. We would be happy to help you!

Aug152021

SOC 2 or ISO 27001: Which is better suited for my organization?

SOC 2 or ISO 27001: Which is better suited for my organization?

If your organization provides business-to-business IT or financial services, it’s likely that your clients will request SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification or attestation. This process can demand significant resources and time from your organization. This article explains the similarities and differences between these two certifications. A SOC 2 report and an ISO 27001 certificate can be compared to close relatives, and there are opportunities for efficiency, as achieving one certification can significantly reduce the time required to obtain the other.

1. Scope

Both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are similarly designed to provide clients with confidence that their data is protected. The clients have commonalities, as both frameworks address critical aspects of information security, such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Both are widely recognized certifications that demonstrate to clients your company’s commitment to security.

A key difference is that the SOC 2 certification primarily focuses on demonstrating the effective implementation of security measures that protect client data. ISO 27001, on the other hand, solely requires an organization to have an Information Security Management System (ISMS), a prescribed set of security measures.

2. Market applicability

A significant similarity is that both certifications are well-known information security standards widely accepted as proof that an organization has appropriate security measures in place. Particularly in the United States, these certifications are accepted by organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations. Both are fully accepted across most industries and position an organization as a reliable vendor with robust information security practices.

3. External party

Both certifications are assessed by third parties, either ISO 27001 auditors or (registered) accountants. The key difference is that a firm recognized by the Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA) issues a SOC 2 report, while an accredited ISO 27001 auditor certifies ISO 27001 compliance. Risklane employs both recognized accountants and accredited ISO 27001 auditors who can advise on the audit process.

4. Costs

Both certifications have comparable operational costs, which include the internal costs for the team implementing the control measures and gathering the evidence required to demonstrate compliance with SOC 2 or ISO 27001.

The pricing for the two types of certifications can vary significantly. Generally, the costs of a SOC 2 certification are higher than those of an ISO 27001 certification. This is primarily due to the extensive documentation requirements for auditors conducting a SOC 2 audit.

5. Timeframe

The project approach for both certifications is similar and consists of roughly corresponding phases. Since SOC 2 and ISO 27001 share many of the same control measures, the implementation phases also have a comparable timeframe. However, a SOC 2 audit may require more internal and external (auditor) time due to the aforementioned documentation requirements.

After the audit period, both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications must be periodically renewed to remain valid for user organizations. ISO 27001 typically involves a three-year cycle, with an audit in the first year and annual renewals thereafter.

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Nov292019

The ISO 9001 stakeholders

The ISO 9001 stakeholders

The first step is to identify the ISO 9001 stakeholders referenced in the standard, here it refers to people or organizations that will influence your ability to deliver products and services that reliably address your customers’ problems and legal issues. addressing issues necessities. List all things that affect your organization, such as customers, government organizations, non-governmental agencies, representatives, shareholders, suppliers, and so on.

When you have this list, a list of those you think could impact your ability to deliver your products and services, you can figure out which parties you think are most important to your company. 

ISO 9001 implementation can be challenging. The most important challenges are; limited time, budget constraints and experience with implementing a professional quality management system. A quality management system and certification in accordance with ISO 9001 plays a pivotal role in the operation of organizations.

In the current global market place the need to achieve ISO 9001 is increasing as a consequence of higher requirements from corporates and supervisory authorities. Requirements and needs vary from quality management (ISO 9001), to information security (ISO 27001 / ISAE 3000 | SOC 2)and assurance over outsourced processes (ISAE 3402 | SOC 1).

Example of ISO 9001 Stakeholders

  • Customers
  • People in an organization
  • Banks
  • Labor unions
  • Society
  • Pressure groups
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Providers
  • Government
  • Partners
  • Competitors