Key data security standards and frameworks for compliance

In an era of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, organizations must prioritize data security to protect sensitive information. In fact, cybercrime is expected to cost the global economy $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. 

Data security standards provide structured guidelines that help businesses prevent breaches, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. By adhering to them, companies can safeguard personal, financial, and business-critical data while building trust with customers, partners, and regulators.

Non-compliance with data security standards can result in severe penalties, reputational damage, and financial losses. 

By integrating industry best practices with regulatory compliance efforts, businesses can strengthen cybersecurity resilience and stay ahead of emerging threats.

What are data security standards and frameworks and why are they important?

Data security standards are formalized guidelines that organizations implement to protect confidential, sensitive, and regulated data from unauthorized access, breaches, and misuse. These standards outline best practices for securing information assets, from encryption and access controls to monitoring and compliance reporting.

 Businesses across industries rely on data security standards to:
1. Protect sensitive customer and business data
2. Ensure compliance with legal and industry-specific regulations
3. Reduce financial and reputational risks from data breaches
4. Establish cybersecurity resilience against modern threats
5. Demonstrate commitment to data privacy and security best practices

From e-commerce and financial services to healthcare and government agencies, data security standards are a fundamental requirement for businesses handling confidential data.

How to choose the right data security standards and frameworks

Selecting the right security standards depends on several factors:

1. Choosing the right data security standards depends on factors such as industry type, geographic location, regulatory obligations, the sensitivity of data handled, and specific business operations.

2. Start by identifying the type of data you handle—payment data (PCI DSS), personal data (ISO/IEC 27018), or cryptographic security (FIPS 140-3). 

3. If you operate globally, consider internationally recognized standards like ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management.  

Key data security frameworks

1. NIST cybersecurity framework

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) is a widely adopted security framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. 

Originally released in 2014 and updated in CSF 2.0 (2024), it provides a flexible, risk-based approach to improving security posture. The framework consists of five core functions—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—that guide organizations in building comprehensive cybersecurity programs.

NIST CSF is voluntary and adaptable for businesses of all sizes and industries, including government agencies, financial institutions, and healthcare providers. By integrating risk assessment, continuous monitoring, and incident response, it enhances cyber resilience and helps organizations mitigate evolving threats while aligning with other security regulations.

2. SOC series

• SOC 1: Designed to assist service organizations in evaluating internal controls related to financial reporting. It focuses on controls impacting an organization’s financial statements, including those over financial reporting (ICFR) and controls at a service organization that affect user entities’ ICFR. 
• SOC 2: Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), SOC 2 assesses an organization’s controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It is particularly relevant for SaaS companies, cloud service providers, and third-party vendors that handle customer data.
• SOC 3: Intended for a general audience, it provides a summary of SOC 2 assessment results. Organizations often use it to showcase their commitment to information security and trustworthiness to customers.
• SOC for cybersecurity: Introduced in 2017, this report helps organizations evaluate their cybersecurity risk management practices and controls. It provides a general-use report that can be shared with stakeholders to demonstrate an organization’s cybersecurity posture.
• SOC for supply chain: Introduced in 2017, this re-porting framework helps organizations evaluate and communicate the effectiveness of internal controls over their supply chain. It provides transparency into vendor and third-party risks, ensuring they meet security and compliance requirements.

3. COBIT

COBIT is an IT governance and security framework that helps organizations align cybersecurity with business objectives. It provides guidance on risk management, compliance, and IT security best practices to ensure systems are secure and well-managed.

Unlike other frameworks, COBIT focuses on decision-making, accountability, and strategic planning rather than technical security controls. It is widely used by large enterprises and financial institutions to integrate security into overall business operations.

4. CIS controls

CIS Controls is a formal security framework developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), consisting of 18 prioritized security controls that help organizations defend against cyber threats. It is widely recognized and mapped to frameworks like NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS, making it a trusted cybersecurity best practice resource.

The framework follows a risk-based approach, offering a tiered security model (IG1, IG2, IG3) to help organizations prioritize security measures based on risk levels. While CIS Controls does not have a formal certification process, it remains highly adopted across industries and serves as a benchmark for cybersecurity strategies.

5. HITRUST CSF

HITRUST CSF is a certifiable security framework primarily used in healthcare, finance, and government sectors. It integrates multiple compliance standards, including HIPAA, ISO 27001, NIST, and GDPR, providing a comprehensive approach to security and compliance.

It is widely recognized in healthcare as it helps organizations achieve HIPAA compliance while offering a standardized way to assess security risks. Unlike HIPAA, which is a legal requirement, HITRUST CSF is a certifiable framework, allowing organizations to demonstrate robust security practices.

6. GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union regulation that governs data privacy and protection. The European Commission enforced it in 2018 to ensure the protection of EU and EEA citizens’ personal information and establish strict guidelines for data security. 

GDPR compliance is mandatory for all organizations handling the personal data of EU and EEA residents, regardless of where the company is located. This means that even businesses outside the EU must comply if they process or store EU and EEA residents’ data. The regulation applies to a wide range of industries, including healthcare providers, pharmaceutical firms, SaaS companies, and telemedicine platforms.

7. COSO

The COSO Framework is a widely recognized framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating internal controls and enterprise risk management. Developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, it helps organizations improve governance and accountability. COSO defines five key components: control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. 

Key data security standards

Different industries and regions have developed specific security standards to address cybersecurity risks. 

Below are some of the most recognized standards and frameworks:

1. ISO/IEC standards

The ISO/IEC series encompasses various standards addressing information security, including risk management, security controls, and security management systems. Key standards within this series include

• ISO 27001 (International Standard for Information Security) – Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It defines an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Its requirements include risk assessment, access control, encryption, and continuous monitoring.
• ISO/IEC 27005 – Provides guidelines for information security risk management to support ISO/IEC 27001 implementation.
• ISO/IEC 27017 – A security standard that offers guidelines for information security controls in cloud services. It builds on ISO/IEC 27002 and provides additional cloud-specific security practices for both cloud service providers and users.
• ISO 27018 – Guidelines for safeguarding personal data in cloud environments.
• ISO 27031 – Guidance on developing and implementing disaster recovery plans for ICT systems. It also offers guidelines on ensuring the readiness of information and communication technology (ICT) systems to support business continuity.
• ISO 27037 – Best practices for identifying, collecting, acquiring, and preserving digital evidence in a way that maintains forensic integrity during investigations.
• ISO 27040 – Recommendations for securing stored data, including threats, risks, and controls for both physical and cloud-based storage.
• ISO 27701 – An extension of ISO 27001, focused on privacy information management (PIMS). It helps organizations comply with privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA by defining personal data protection measures.
• ISO 27799 – Guidelines for protecting personal health information (PHI).
• ISO 15408 (Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation) – A standard for evaluating the security properties of IT products and systems. It allows organizations to assess and certify the security capabilities of software, hardware, and IT infrastructure.
• ISO/IEC 18033 – Specifies cryptographic algorithms for data encryption to ensure data confidentiality.
• ISO/IEC 19790 – Defines security requirements for cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive information.
• ISO/IEC 24760 – Provides a framework and terminology for identity management and secure identity information handling.

2. PCI DSS – Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard

The PCI Security Standards Council developed the PCI DSS. It focuses on protecting credit card transactions and cardholder data for businesses that store, process, or transmit payment card data, whether online, in-store, or through other channels.

• Applies to multiple payment channels, including e-commerce/online, point-of-sale (in-store), and mail or telephone orders. Each requires specific security measures to safeguard cardholder data.
• Requires firewalls, 12 high-level requirements including encryption, strict access controls, and regular security assessments
• Contractually required for businesses handling payment card information
• The PCI DSS v4 has an increased emphasis on the need to protect public-facing web applications, introduces more flexible implementation options, and enhances focus on continuous risk management. 

3. FIPS 140-2 / FIPS 140-3 – Cryptographic Security Standards

Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 and its successor, FIPS 140-3, are U.S. government standards for cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive information. 

These standards define security requirements for cryptographic modules, including how cryptographic algorithms, key management, and secure operations are implemented and protected within those modules.

FIPS 140-2 was officially retired for new submissions on September 22, 2021, but existing FIPS 140-2 module validations remain valid through September 22, 2026, unless revoked. FIPS 140-3, approved in 2019, became effective for validations in 2021 and fully replaces FIPS 140-2 going forward. It aligns with ISO/IEC 19790:2012 for cryptographic module security and introduces enhanced requirements for hardware, software, and firmware-based cryptographic systems used in government, defense, and regulated industries.

4. IEC 62443 Series (Official Standards for Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security)

Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the IEC 62443 series is a family of internationally recognized standards specifically focused on cybersecurity for Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). These standards are organized into four categories:

1. General standards

These define foundational concepts and terminology:

• IEC 62443-1-1: Terminology, concepts, and models – Establishes key terms and fundamental security concepts.
  
• IEC 62443-1-2: Master glossary of terms and abbreviations – Central reference for consistent language across the series.
  
• IEC 62443-1-3: System security compliance metrics – Provides a model to measure compliance with the security levels.
  
• IEC 62443-1-4: IACS security lifecycle and use cases – Describes use cases and security lifecycle phases (in progress in some versions).
  

2. Policies and procedures (Security Program Standards)

These address how organizations manage cybersecurity risk:

• IEC 62443-2-1: Establishing an IACS security program – Provides guidance on creating a cybersecurity management system.
  
• IEC 62443-2-2: IACS security program ratings – Offers a method to assess the maturity of cybersecurity programs.
  
• IEC 62443-2-3: Patch management in the IACS environment – Specifies how to manage software and firmware updates securely.
  
• IEC 62443-2-4: Security program requirements for IACS service providers – Outlines requirements for vendors and service providers.
  

3. System standards

These apply to system-level security requirements and risk assessment:

• IEC 62443-3-1: Security technologies for IACS – Surveys current security technologies for control systems.
  
• IEC 62443-3-2: Security risk assessment for system design – Methodology for assessing cybersecurity risk in IACS environments.
  
• IEC 62443-3-3: System security requirements and security levels – Defines foundational security capabilities required at the system level.
  

4. Component standards

These define requirements for securing individual IACS components (software, firmware, and hardware):

• IEC 62443-4-1: Secure product development lifecycle requirements – Specifies requirements for building secure industrial products.
  
• IEC 62443-4-2: Technical security requirements for IACS components – Specifies security capabilities required in components like PLCs, HMIs, etc.

5. UL 2900 series

Developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the UL 2900 series provides standardized testable criteria for evaluating cybersecurity in network-connectable products, including medical devices, industrial controls, and life safety systems.

Core and sector-specific standards:

1. UL 2900-1: Software cybersecurity for network-connectable products – General requirements

This is the base standard applicable to all connected devices. It includes requirements for:

• Malware detection
• Fuzz testing
• Known vulnerability testing
• Static and dynamic code analysis
• Access control and authentication mechanisms

2. UL 2900-2-1: Particular requirements for network-connectable components of healthcare and wellness systems

• Tailors UL 2900-1 to medical and health tech systems (including FDA-regulated devices).
• Covers patient data protection, logging, and secure update mechanisms.

3. UL 2900-2-2: Particular requirements for industrial control systems

• Applies to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), and other ICS components.
• Includes control interface protections, communications security, and configuration management.

4. UL 2900-2-3: Particular requirements for security and life safety signaling systems

• Covers security panels, alarms, and access control systems.
• Emphasizes tamper protection, secure firmware, and event log integrity.

6. ETSI EN 303 645

ETSI EN 303 645 is a standalone standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). It specifies cybersecurity requirements for consumer Internet of Things (IoT) devices, establishing a security baseline to prevent prevalent attacks. This standard is designed to be complemented by other standards defining more specific provisions and fully testable requirements for specific devices.

Adopting the right standards ensures organizations remain compliant, minimize risks, and strengthen their security posture.

Easily navigate data security standards with Scrut

Data security standards are essential for protecting sensitive data, earning customer trust compliance, and reducing security risks. To maintain robust security, organizations must:

• Adopt relevant security standards such as ISO 27001 and PCI DSS to safeguard data.
• To meet compliance requirements, implement key security measures, including encryption, access controls, and risk assessments.
• Automate compliance processes with pre-mapped controls,  

Scrut simplifies compliance by automating security monitoring, reducing manual work, and ensuring continuous adherence to data security standards. With centralized control management, and real-time compliance tracking, Scrut helps organizations stay audit-ready while focusing on business growth.

FAQ

What is the difference between Security Standards vs. IT Security Frameworks?

Security standards set specific technical requirements, while IT security frameworks provide broader cybersecurity policies and risk management guidelines.

Standards like ISO 27001 and PCI DSS focus on specific controls (e.g., encryption, authentication), whereas frameworks like NIST CSF, COBIT, and CIS Controls offer a comprehensive security strategy. Organizations often implement standards within frameworks to align with best practices.

Why are data security standards important?

Data security standards help organizations protect sensitive information, prevent breaches, and ensure regulatory compliance. They provide structured guidelines for encryption, access control, risk management, and incident response, reducing legal, financial, and reputational risks.

How do data security standards differ from regulations?

Data security standards provide technical guidelines and best practices for protecting information, while regulations are legally enforceable rules set by governments. For example, ISO/IEC 27001 is a standard for information security management, whereas HIPAA is a U.S. regulation for healthcare data protection. Some regulations, like GDPR, require organizations to follow specific security standards to achieve compliance.