Cybersecurity Standards Explored

So instead of throwing more jargon at you, here’s a grounded, practical look at the most common cybersecurity standards, how they compare, and where each one makes sense.

Why We Even Bother With Cybersecurity Standards

Think of them like guardrails on a winding road. They don’t stop you from driving fast or building cool stuff—they just keep you from crashing into a compliance wall or losing customer trust.

They also help teams speak the same language. When someone says “we’re ISO 27001 certified,” others know what baseline of security practices are in place.

Quick Breakdown the Top Ones

ISO/IEC 27001

The international go-to for building a full security program (called an ISMS).

• Used by: SaaS companies, banks, insurers, anyone serious about risk
• Real-world case: A company that hosts HR data for clients needs ISO 27001 to close deals
• Certification: Yes
• Good for: Showing maturity and discipline around security

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

Built by the U.S. government, but adopted around the world.

• Based on 5 steps: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover
• Used by: Utilities, healthcare providers, even startups
• Certification: No, but widely respected
• Good for: Mapping out your security journey

CIS Controls (v8)

A straightforward list of what to do right nowto reduce risk.

• Focuses on: Hardening systems, patching, reducing attack surface
• Used by: Schools, small businesses, consultants
• Certification: No
• Good for: Quick wins, especially when resources are tight

PCI DSS

This one’s mandatory if you take card payments. No way around it.

• Covers: Encryption, network segmentation, secure storage of card data
• Used by: E-commerce, payment processors, retail
• Certification: Yes
• Good for: Staying on the good side of Visa and Mastercard

GDPR

Not a framework—it's law. But it's shaping security globally.

• Focus: Consent, transparency, data rights
• Used by: Any company handling EU citizen data
• Certification: Not officially, but ISO 27701 helps
• Good for: Avoiding massive fines and PR disasters

HIPAA

Applies to U.S. healthcare and anyone handling protected health info (PHI).

• Covers: Privacy, access controls, breach reporting
• Used by: Hospitals, insurers, health tech startups
• Certification: No formal one, but compliance is legally required
• Good for: Building trust with patients and partners

SOC 2

Mostly for tech companies that offer services to others.

• Assessed across: Security, availability, confidentiality, privacy, integrity
• Used by: SaaS platforms, cloud services, B2B providers
• Certification: Yes (audit-based)
• Good for: Passing vendor reviews and sales blockers

So Which One Should You Actually Use?

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Starting from scratch? Go with CIS Controls.
• Building a security culture? ISO 27001 will give you structure.
• Selling into big companies? You’ll likely need SOC 2.
• Handling healthcare or card data? HIPAA or PCI DSS isn't optional.
• Working with EU users? GDPR applies, no matter where you’re based.