Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often face numerous challenges, such as limited budgets and resources, while trying to keep their operations secure. Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of any business, regardless of its size, as cyberattacks can cause significant damage to an organization's reputation and financial well-being. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides a set of benchmarks that can help SMBs address cybersecurity concerns in an effective and efficient manner. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using CIS benchmarks in an SMB.
Industry Best Practices
CIS benchmarks are developed by a team of security experts, and they reflect the best practices for securing a particular technology. SMBs can leverage these benchmarks to ensure that their IT infrastructure is following industry best practices for securing their systems, software, and networks. The benchmarks are regularly updated to address new threats and vulnerabilities, so SMBs can remain up to date with the latest security measures.
Compliance
Many regulatory bodies require businesses to comply with certain security standards to protect sensitive information. Using CIS benchmarks can help SMBs meet compliance requirements by providing a roadmap for implementing security controls and monitoring. By using these benchmarks, SMBs can ensure they meet regulatory requirements without spending time and resources figuring out what they need to do.
Cost-Effective
Implementing security measures can be expensive, especially for SMBs with limited budgets. CIS benchmarks provide SMBs with an affordable way to improve their security posture. The benchmarks are available for free, and they provide a roadmap for implementing effective security controls. SMBs can use the benchmarks to identify gaps in their security posture and prioritize their investments to maximize their ROI.
Cyber Insurance
SMBs can benefit from using CIS benchmarks when seeking cyber insurance. Many insurance providers require businesses to meet certain security standards to qualify for coverage. By following CIS benchmarks, SMBs can demonstrate to their insurance providers that they have taken proactive measures to secure their systems, software, and networks. This can help reduce insurance premiums and increase the likelihood of being covered in the event of a cyber attack.
Reduce Risk
CIS benchmarks are designed to reduce the risk of cyber attacks by providing a roadmap for implementing effective security controls. SMBs that use these benchmarks can reduce their risk of a cyber attack by implementing measures such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and intrusion detection. These controls can help prevent unauthorized access, protect sensitive information, and detect and respond to cyber threats in a timely manner.
Since SMBs can benefit greatly from using CIS benchmarks to secure their systems, software, and networks, ChainLynx Tech uses these standards on a first pass for any company new to running a security program, tailoring the monitoring to what akes sense for your business. The benchmarks provide a roadmap for implementing effective security controls, reducing the work on your existing teams and enabling your business for future compliance journeys, like SOC II. By following these best practices, SMBs can improve their security posture, protect their sensitive information, and ensure the continuity of their operations.