BRC
GFSI-benchmarked standard for food safety management
CIS Controls
Prioritized cybersecurity best practices framework
Quick Verdict
BRC ensures food safety certification for manufacturers via audits, enabling retailer access. CIS Controls provide prioritized cybersecurity hygiene across industries, reducing breach risks through asset management and monitoring. Food firms adopt BRC for compliance; all use CIS for resilience.
BRC
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
Key Features
- GFSI-benchmarked certification for food safety manufacturing
- Senior management commitment and food safety culture plan
- Codex HACCP-based system with prerequisite programs
- Fundamental non-negotiable clauses against recalls
- Unannounced audits for superior grading confidence
CIS Controls
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1
Key Features
- 18 prioritized controls with 153 safeguards
- Scalable Implementation Groups IG1-IG3
- Mappings to NIST, PCI, HIPAA frameworks
- Free secure configuration Benchmarks
- Asset inventory and hygiene focus
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
BRC Details
What It Is
BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification framework for food manufacturers, processors, and packers. It ensures product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality through a structured management system combining senior management commitment and a Codex HACCP-based food safety plan supported by prerequisite programs.
Key Components
- Nine core clauses: senior management, HACCP plan, FSQMS, site standards, product/process control, personnel, risk zones, traded products.
- Fundamental requirements (e.g., traceability, allergen management, internal audits) as non-negotiable controls.
- Built on HACCP principles with expansions for environmental monitoring, food defense, and fraud prevention.
- Graded certification (AA/A/B/C/D) via announced/unannounced audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Provides market access to retailers mandating GFSI schemes, reduces duplicative audits, evidences due diligence, mitigates recall risks from allergens/pathogens/labelling. Enhances operational resilience, regulatory compliance (e.g., FSMA), and supply-chain trust.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, certification audit. Applies to manufacturers globally; 6-12 months typical for mid-size sites with CAPEX for site upgrades.
CIS Controls Details
What It Is
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1 (CIS Controls) is a community-driven cybersecurity framework providing prescriptive, prioritized best practices to reduce cyber risks. It targets common attack vectors across hybrid environments, using a safeguard-based, Implementation Group (IG1-IG3) approach for scalable adoption.
Key Components
- 18 Controls with 153 actionable safeguards spanning asset management, data protection, vulnerability management, and incident response.
- Organized into IG1 (56 essential hygiene), IG2, IG3; maps to NIST, PCI DSS, HIPAA; no formal certification, self-assessed via tools like Controls Navigator.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates 85% of attacks, accelerates compliance, cuts breach costs.
- Builds resilience, operational efficiency, insurer discounts, partner trust.
Implementation Overview
- Phased roadmap: governance, gap analysis, IG1 execution (9-18 months for mid-size).
- Suits all sizes/industries; leverages free Benchmarks, automation; voluntary audits.
Key Differences
| Aspect | BRC | CIS Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Food safety, quality, supply chain manufacturing | Cybersecurity, asset management, incident response |
| Industry | Food manufacturing, packaging, global retailers | All industries, technology-agnostic worldwide |
| Nature | Voluntary GFSI-benchmarked certification standard | Voluntary prioritized cybersecurity best practices |
| Testing | Annual announced/unannounced third-party audits | Self-assessments, continuous monitoring, pen testing |
| Penalties | Certification loss, market access denial | No formal penalties, increased breach risk |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BRC and CIS Controls
BRC FAQ
CIS Controls FAQ
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