CIS Controls
Prioritized cybersecurity framework of 18 controls
Basel III
Global framework for bank capital, leverage, and liquidity standards.
Quick Verdict
CIS Controls offer prioritized cybersecurity hygiene for all organizations globally, while Basel III mandates capital, leverage, and liquidity standards for banks. Companies adopt CIS for resilience and compliance mapping; banks implement Basel III to meet regulatory minimums and ensure financial stability.
CIS Controls
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1
Key Features
- 18 prioritized controls with 153 actionable safeguards
- Implementation Groups IG1-IG3 for scalable maturity
- Technology-agnostic, offense-informed best practices
- Detailed mappings to NIST, PCI, HIPAA frameworks
- Free Benchmarks and tools for configurations
Basel III
Basel III: Finalising post-crisis reforms
Key Features
- Strengthened CET1 capital requirements and buffers
- Non-risk-based leverage ratio backstop
- Liquidity Coverage Ratio for 30-day stress
- Net Stable Funding Ratio for structural resilience
- Enhanced Pillar 3 RWA comparability disclosures
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
CIS Controls Details
What It Is
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1 is a consensus-driven cybersecurity framework of 18 prioritized controls and 153 safeguards. It provides actionable best practices to mitigate common threats, using Implementation Groups (IG1-IG3) for risk-based, scalable adoption across hybrid environments.
Key Components
- 18 controls spanning asset inventory, data protection, vulnerability management, incident response.
- IG1 (56 safeguards) for basic hygiene; IG2/IG3 for advanced maturity.
- Built on real-world attack data; includes CIS Benchmarks for configurations.
- No formal certification; self-assessed compliance with mappings to NIST, PCI, HIPAA.
Why Organizations Use It
- Reduces breach risk by targeting top attack vectors.
- Accelerates multi-framework compliance; supports insurance, contracts.
- Delivers ROI via efficiency, resilience; builds stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
- Phased roadmap: governance, discovery, foundational controls, expansion.
- Applies to all sizes/industries; 9-18 months typical.
- Emphasizes automation, metrics; no mandatory audits.
Basel III Details
What It Is
Basel III is the international regulatory framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) post-global financial crisis. It sets prudential standards for banks, focusing on enhancing capital quality and quantity, constraining leverage, and ensuring liquidity resilience. Its risk-based approach combines minimum requirements with supervisory review and disclosures.
Key Components
- **Three PillarsPillar 1 (capital, leverage, LCR, NSFR), Pillar 2 (supervisory review/ICAAP), Pillar 3 (disclosures).
- Core elements: CET1 (4.5%), Tier 1 (6%), total capital (8%), 2.5% conservation buffer, 3% leverage ratio.
- Built on revised risk weights, output floor, standardized approaches.
- Compliance via national implementation, no central certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for internationally active banks via domestic laws.
- Builds resilience against shocks, reduces systemic risk.
- Improves comparability, market discipline; strategic for funding costs, asset allocation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased enterprise transformation: governance, data systems, models.
- Applies to large banks globally; involves QIS, stress testing, disclosures.
- No certification, but audited via supervisory reviews. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | CIS Controls | Basel III |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Cybersecurity best practices, 18 controls, 153 safeguards | Bank capital, leverage, liquidity standards, risk management |
| Industry | All industries, global, all organization sizes | Banking sector, internationally active banks, jurisdictional |
| Nature | Voluntary cybersecurity framework, community-driven | Mandatory prudential regulation, BCBS standards |
| Testing | Penetration testing, maturity assessments, self-assessments | Stress testing, ICAAP, supervisory reviews, disclosures |
| Penalties | No legal penalties, loss of assurance/reputation | Fines, capital add-ons, business restrictions, enforcement |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CIS Controls and Basel III
CIS Controls FAQ
Basel III FAQ
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