Understanding security frameworks: 10 common frameworks

Businesses today face increasing pressure to meet security and compliance requirements while protecting sensitive data from evolving threats. Without a structured approach, ensuring data security and regulatory compliance can feel overwhelming.

This is where security frameworks come in—they provide a clear roadmap for managing risks, safeguarding sensitive information, and demonstrating compliance with industry standards. But with so many frameworks available, how do you choose the right one?

In this guide, we'll break down 10 essential security frameworks, their benefits, and how automation can simplify compliance management for your business.

What are security frameworks?

Security frameworks provide structured guidelines, best practices, and standards to help organizations protect sensitive data, manage cybersecurity risks, and comply with regulations. They outline specific controls and actions for risk management, enabling businesses to implement security measures that align with industry standards, reduce vulnerabilities, and strengthen overall cybersecurity.

Why are security frameworks important?

Security frameworks play a vital role in protecting sensitive data, reducing cybersecurity risks, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. By following these structured guidelines, organizations can strengthen security, minimize the risk of breaches, and build customer trust. Compliance also helps avoid financial penalties and reputational damage, demonstrating a strong commitment to cybersecurity.

How to choose the right security framework for your business

Different industries have unique security and compliance requirements, making it essential to choose a framework that aligns with sector-specific risks and regulations—for example, HITRUST for healthcare or PCI DSS for finance.

Compliance obligations also vary by region, requiring organizations to consider laws like GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California to meet jurisdictional standards.

Select a scalable and adaptable security framework that ensures ongoing compliance as the business grows, integrating seamlessly into existing processes without disrupting operations.

Key features to look for when choosing a security framework

When choosing a security framework, here are the key features to look for:

Control requirements and coverage

Consider the level of control the framework demands over different security aspects—such as access control, threat monitoring, data encryption, and incident response. Ensure it covers your organization's critical areas comprehensively.

Certification process and renewal policies

Understand the framework's certification process, including required documentation, testing, and assessments. Ensure you know the renewal policies to maintain compliance over time.

Integration with existing security and compliance programs

Choose a security framework that integrates well with your current security infrastructure and compliance programs. This minimizes friction and streamlines efforts, ensuring a unified approach to risk management.

10 common security frameworks

Security frameworks provide structured guidelines to help businesses manage risks, maintain compliance, and safeguard sensitive data. Here is an overview of 10 commonly used formal 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—which 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. FedRAMP

FedRAMP is a U.S. government security framework that standardizes the security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of CSPs (Cloud Service Providers) working with federal agencies. Established in 2011, it ensures cloud solutions meet strict security requirements before being used by government entities.

FedRAMP is based on NIST 800-53 controls and follows a "do once, use many times" approach, allowing agencies to reuse authorized cloud services instead of conducting separate security evaluations. It provides three authorization levels—Low, Moderate, and High—based on data sensitivity. CSPs must undergo rigorous assessments, including third-party audits and continuous monitoring, ensuring compliance with stringent federal security standards.

3. PCI DSS

PCI DSS (The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a global security framework developed by major credit card companies, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, to protect payment card data from breaches, fraud, and unauthorized access. It applies to all organizations that process, store, or transmit credit card information.

The framework consists of 12 core security requirements covering encryption, access control, network security, vulnerability management, and regular security testing. By implementing these controls, businesses can reduce financial risks associated with payment fraud, maintain trust with customers, and meet compliance obligations with payment processors.

4. 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.

5. COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies)

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.

6. NIST 800-53 (Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems)

NIST 800-53 is a comprehensive security framework used by U.S. federal agencies and organizations handling government data. It defines security and privacy controls, including access control, incident response, encryption, and risk management, to protect information systems from cyber threats.

While primarily intended for federal use, many organizations outside the government sector adopt NIST 800-53 as a robust security baseline, given its detailed security control catalog and alignment with other security frameworks.

7. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)

Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is a security model and framework designed to eliminate implicit trust and enforce strict access controls. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security models, Zero Trust follows the principle of "Never Trust, Always Verify," meaning that every user, device, and application must continuously authenticate, authorize, and validate security posture before accessing resources.

Developed by NIST (SP 800-207), CISA, and industry leaders, ZTA is built on least privilege access, continuous verification, micro-segmentation, and strong identity management. Technologies such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and network segmentation help limit access to only what is necessary. ZTA is widely adopted across government, enterprises, and cloud environments, reducing attack surfaces and improving security resilience.

8. 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.

9. ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27001 is an internationally recognized security framework developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It provides a structured approach to managing information security risks through an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Organizations must establish, implement, maintain, and improve their ISMS to protect sensitive data from cyber threats, breaches, and unauthorized access.

ISO 27001 follows a risk-based approach, requiring organizations to identify risks and implement controls (ISO 27002 Annex A) covering access control, encryption, and incident management. Certification is globally recognized, demonstrating strong security practices and regulatory compliance. The framework aligns with SOC 2, NIST CSF, GDPR, and HIPAA, making it widely applicable across industries.

10. CSA CCM (Cloud Security Alliance Cloud Controls Matrix)

The Cloud Security Alliance Cloud Controls Matrix (CSA CCM) is a structured security framework designed for cloud environments, providing specific security controls across 16 domains, including data security, identity management, and compliance. It aligns with major standards such as ISO 27001, NIST CSF, PCI DSS, and GDPR, making it useful for assessing cloud service providers (CSPs) and strengthening cloud security governance.

CSA CCM also serves as the foundation for CSA STAR certification, allowing organizations to demonstrate cloud security posture to regulators, customers, and business partners.

How to automate compliance management for security frameworks

Manually tracking compliance across multiple security frameworks is time-consuming, prone to human error, and difficult to scale. Businesses must constantly update controls, gather evidence, and conduct audits—tasks that consume valuable time and resources.

Automating compliance management for security frameworks alleviates many of the challenges associated with manual tracking, streamlining the process for faster, more efficient operations.

Here are some of the benefits of automation-

• Real-time monitoring: Continuous tracking of controls and security posture without manual effort.
• Reduced audit burden: Automates evidence collection and testing, making audits faster and less resource-intensive.
• Faster remediation: Quickly identifies compliance gaps and offers remediation steps, reducing the time needed to resolve issues.
• Increased accuracy: Eliminates human error, ensuring more accurate compliance tracking and reporting.
• Scalability: Easily manage compliance across multiple frameworks and industries without additional overhead.

How Scrut helps you achieve and maintain compliance

Scrut simplifies the compliance journey by continuously monitoring security and risk, automating evidence collection, and ensuring audit readiness. Its pre-mapped controls across multiple frameworks ensure comprehensive coverage, while streamlined reporting and collaboration with auditors help accelerate the process, saving time and reducing manual effort. This combination of automation and efficiency enables businesses to stay compliant and mitigate risks with ease.

Additionally, Scrut's Compliance Framework Finder assists businesses in identifying the right framework for their needs, ensuring they are on the most suitable path to meet their compliance goals with minimal effort.

FAQs

What are security frameworks?

Security frameworks are structured guidelines that help organizations protect sensitive data, manage risks, and maintain compliance with industry regulations. They provide controls and best practices that align with security standards, reducing vulnerabilities.

Why is compliance with security frameworks important?

Compliance ensures organizations meet regulatory requirements, protect customer data, reduce security risks, and avoid legal consequences. It also boosts stakeholder trust and strengthens the organization's reputation.

How do I choose the right security framework for my business?

The choice depends on your industry, geographic location, company size, and specific regulatory needs. Assess the frameworks' scope, certification process, and alignment with your existing compliance efforts.

Is NIST CSF a security framework?

Yes, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) is a formal security framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. It provides a structured, risk-based approach with five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.