Mastering CIS Controls Mapping to ISO 27001

CIS vs. ISO 27001: Differences and Overlaps

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) controls framework comprises 20 controls that inform an organization’s cybersecurity measures. The CIS controls are grouped into three tiers:

• Basic: Six controls, including inventory and control of hardware and software, continuous vulnerability management, and controlled use of administrative privileges
• Foundational: Ten controls, such as email and web browser protections, defense against malware, and need-to-know control access
• Organizational: Four controls, including security awareness and training, application software security, and incident management and response

One of the positive features of the CIS control framework is that you can adapt it to fit any entity in healthcare and other industries. This adaptability makes CIS ideal for mapping or integrating into another compliance framework like ISO 27001.

The International Organization for Security (ISO) 27001 international standard sets guidelines for ensuring information security and upholding rules like those of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). ISO 27001 lays out the requirements for:

• Controlling access to data
• Assessing and managing risk
• Monitoring data use, storage, sharing, and disposal
• Ensuring patient privacy and confidentiality

These measures are intended to prevent unauthorized access to, disclosure, misuse, and abuse of protected health information (PHI) and other sensitive data. ISO 27001 also requires regular staff training and procedures for reporting, mitigating, and responding to security risks.

Furthermore, risk management is crucial to ISO 27001 compliance. Organizations seeking certification in ISO 27001 must show risk management capabilities, including identifying risks, assessing their impacts, prioritizing which risks to control, generating appropriate controls for each risk, and creating risk assessment reports that outline corrective measures.

CIS Controls Mapping to ISO 27001

Mapping CIS controls to ISO 27001 means matching the recommendations of one standard with equivalent requirements outlined by the other. Mapping combines the best of both worlds.

Although CIS and ISO 27001 take different approaches to healthcare security, their purposes are in sync. Whereas CIS controls focus on effective security practices, ISO 27001 emphasizes compliance. Therefore, CIS mapping to ISO 27001 covers all your bases regarding information privacy and security.

Software for CIS Mapping to ISO 27001

Successful CIS control mapping to ISO 27001 requires the latest software and attentive support from a compliance provider. Software from Compliancy Group makes it easy to cross-map CIS controls to ISO 27001 standards. With your dashboard, you can manage the entire process and monitor all compliance activities to ensure nothing is overlooked. 

Here are strategies to facilitate successful CIS mapping to ISO 27001 and meet both sets of requirements:

• Thoroughly examine the requirements of both CIS and ISO 27001, pinpoint which controls are shared, and identify any gaps between the standards
• Generate a plan that accounts for gaps between both standards to ensure smooth cross-mapping
• Regularly update your mapping based on regulatory changes to either framework
• Leverage compliance software to monitor compliance with each framework to prepare you for external audits

At Compliancy Group, we help healthcare organizations reduce their uncertainties about CIS controls mapping to ISO 27001 recommendations. Discover how our software can streamline your compliance monitoring by contacting us today.