CIS TOP-20

Strengthen Cybersecurity with CIS Top 20 Controls

The CIS (Center for Internet Security) Top 20 Critical Security Controls are a set of best practices developed to help organizations defend against the most pervasive and dangerous cybersecurity threats. These controls provide a prioritized, actionable, and measurable approach to managing and CIS - YouTube reducing cybersecurity risks. Originally known as the SANS Top 20, the CIS Controls are widely recognized and adopted by organizations across industries to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

The CIS Controls are organized into 3 categories: Basic, Foundational, and Organizational. The goal is to provide a clear roadmap for organizations to implement effective cybersecurity measures, starting with the most critical and foundational security practices.

CIS TOP-20 Overview

The CIS Top 20 Critical Security Controls offer organizations a set of well-structured, prioritized, and actionable steps for improving their cybersecurity posture. By following these controls, organizations can address the most critical risks and better protect themselves against the most common and impactful cyber threats. The CIS Controls are designed to be comprehensive, scalable, and practical, making them an essential resource for any organization looking to strengthen its defenses in today’s evolving cybersecurity landscape.

1. Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets

Maintain an accurate inventory of all hardware assets in your network.
Ensure that only authorized devices can access critical systems and networks.
This is important for reducing risks from unauthorized devices or misconfigured equipment

2. Inventory and Control of Software Assets

Keep an inventory of all software and applications on your network.
Prevent unauthorized software installations and ensure that only approved software is used.

3. Continuous Vulnerability Management

Continuously identify, assess, and manage vulnerabilities in your systems.
Regularly patch and update software to address known vulnerabilities

4. Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges

Limit and control the use of administrative privileges (such as root or administrator accounts).
Ensure that users have only the minimum privileges necessary for their roles

5. Secure Configuration for Hardware and Software

Establish secure baseline configurations for hardware and software.
Regularly check configurations to ensure they align with security best practices

6. Maintenance, Monitoring, and Analysis of Audit Logs

Collect and maintain audit logs to monitor and analyze system activity.
Regularly review logs to detect signs of malicious activity or unauthorized access

7. Email and Web Browser Protections

Protect against email and browser-based threats like phishing and malware
Implement web filtering and email filtering to block malicious links and attachments

8. . Malware Defenses

Implement anti-malware software to protect against malicious software
Continuously update and monitor for new malware threats

9. Limitation and Control of Network Ports, Services, and Protocols

Minimize the number of open network ports, services, and protocols
Disable unnecessary ports and services to reduce the attack surface

10. Data Recovery Capabilities

Implement regular data backup and recovery procedures
Ensure that critical data can be recovered in the event of an incident, such as a ransomware attack.

11. Secure Configuration for Network Devices

Establish and maintain secure configurations for network devices like routers, firewalls, and switches.
Regularly audit and monitor these devices for security issues

12. Boundary Defense

Implement controls at network boundaries to monitor and control traffic
Use firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and intrusion prevention systems to protect against unauthorized access

13. Data Protection

Protect sensitive data through encryption, access control, and data masking techniques
Secure data both at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access or leakage

14. Controlled Access Based on Need to Know

Implement access control measures that restrict access to sensitive data based on the principle of least privilege
Ensure that users can only access data or systems that are necessary for their roles

15. Wireless Access Control

Secure wireless networks to prevent unauthorized access
Use strong encryption (e.g., WPA3), authentication methods, and regularly assess wireless security.

16. Account Monitoring and Control

Continuously monitor user accounts for unusual activity or signs of compromise
Regularly review and manage user accounts to ensure they are necessary and properly configured.

17. Security Awareness and Skills Training

Provide regular cybersecurity training for all employees to help them recognize and respond to threats like phishing
Foster a culture of security awareness across the organization

18. Application Software Security

Ensure secure development and deployment of software applications
Implement secure coding practices, vulnerability testing, and patch management to minimize risks from application vulnerabilities

19. Incident Response Management

Develop an incident response plan to quickly respond to security incidents and breaches
Establish procedures for identifying, containing, and mitigating incidents

20. Penetration Testing and Red Team Exercises

Regularly conduct penetration testing and red team exercises to assess the effectiveness of security controls
Identify weaknesses in the network, applications, and systems before adversaries can exploit them.

1. Prioritized

The CIS Controls are designed to prioritize actions based on their effectiveness in mitigating the most common and impactful cybersecurity risks. The early controls focus on foundational measures that offer the greatest defense against the most likely attack vectors

2. Actionable

The controls provide specific, practical actions that organizations can implement to improve their security. These are not abstract recommendations but actionable steps for securing critical assets

3. Measurable

The effectiveness of the CIS Controls can be measured through specific metrics, allowing organizations to assess their progress and track improvements in their cybersecurity posture.

4. Comprehensive

The CIS Controls cover a broad spectrum of cybersecurity areas, from inventory management and patching to advanced defense measures like penetration testing and incident response. This provides a holistic approach to security

1. Risk Reduction

By implementing the CIS Controls, organizations can dramatically reduce their vulnerability to common and impactful cyber threats like malware, phishing, and ransomware.

2. Regulatory Compliance

Many of the CIS Controls align with industry regulations and standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS), helping organizations meet compliance requirements.

3. Cybersecurity Maturity

Following the CIS Controls provides organizations with a structured approach to improving their cybersecurity maturity over time

4. Improved Detection and Response

With a focus on continuous monitoring, incident response, and data recovery, the CIS Controls help organizations respond quickly and effectively to cybersecurity events.

5. Enhanced Employee Awareness

The focus on security awareness training helps organizations build a culture of security where employees actively contribute to protecting the organization’s assets.