CIS compliance refers to the process of aligning an organization’s IT systems, networks, and applications with the security benchmarks developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), a nonprofit organization focused on cybersecurity.
These benchmarks provide consensus-driven, prescriptive configuration guidelines to help organizations secure their environments against common threats like cyberattacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
Key Components of CIS Benchmarks
• Scope: They cover over 25+ vendor product families, including operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux), cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), databases, and networking devices.
• Structure: Benchmarks are divided into two levels:
• Level 1 (L1): Basic security controls that are practical to implement with minimal impact on operations—recommended for all organizations.
• Level 2 (L2): More advanced controls for high-security environments, which may require additional resources or downtime.
• Development: Created by a global community of cybersecurity experts, they’re regularly updated based on emerging threats and tested for effectiveness.
Why It Matters
CIS compliance establishes a foundational baseline for cybersecurity, reducing vulnerabilities and helping meet regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS. It’s voluntary but widely adopted by thousands of organizations for its proven, expert-vetted approach to risk management.
How to Achieve CIS Compliance
1. Assess Current State: Use CIS tools or third-party scanners to evaluate configurations against benchmarks.
2. Implement Controls: Apply recommendations, starting with L1, using automation tools for efficiency.
3. Monitor and Audit: Regularly test and remediate to maintain compliance.
For official benchmarks, visit the CIS website. If you’re implementing this for a specific platform, resources from providers like AWS or Microsoft offer tailored guides.