ENERGY STAR
U.S. voluntary program for energy efficiency certification
CIS Controls
Prioritized cybersecurity best practices framework
Quick Verdict
ENERGY STAR certifies energy-efficient products and buildings via voluntary EPA testing, slashing costs and emissions. CIS Controls provide prioritized cybersecurity safeguards for all organizations, reducing breach risks through asset management and monitoring. Companies adopt both for efficiency gains and cyber resilience.
ENERGY STAR
EPA ENERGY STAR Program
Key Features
- Mandatory third-party certification and verification testing
- Category-specific performance thresholds above federal minimums
- Standardized DOE test procedures for consistent measurement
- Strict brand governance and mark usage rules
- Portfolio Manager benchmarking for buildings score 75+
CIS Controls
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1
Key Features
- 18 prioritized controls with 153 actionable safeguards
- Implementation Groups IG1-IG3 for scalability
- Mappings to NIST CSF, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
- Asset and software inventory foundations
- Free benchmarks and assessment tools
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ENERGY STAR Details
What It Is
ENERGY STAR is the U.S. EPA-administered voluntary labeling and benchmarking program for energy efficiency. It sets category-specific performance specifications for products, homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants, using standardized test methods and third-party verification to signal superior efficiency above federal minimums.
Key Components
- Performance thresholds (e.g., 15% above standards for appliances)
- DOE-referenced test procedures
- Mandatory third-party certification via EPA-recognized labs/CBs
- Post-market verification (5-20% annually)
- Brand governance rules; Portfolio Manager for 1-100 building scores (75+ for certification)
Why Organizations Use It
Reduces energy costs ($500B saved since 1992), emissions (4B tons avoided), unlocks rebates/procurement; builds trust via credible label (90% recognition); supports ESG, benchmarking mandates.
Implementation Overview
Phased: assess/gap analysis (4-8 weeks), design/testing (3-12 months), deploy, verify continuously. Applies to manufacturers, builders, owners across sectors; annual third-party verification required.
CIS Controls Details
What It Is
CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) v8.1 is a community-driven, prescriptive cybersecurity framework of prioritized best practices to reduce attack surfaces and enhance resilience. It applies across industries and organization sizes via Implementation Groups (IG1–IG3), focusing on actionable safeguards.
Key Components
- 18 controls with 153 safeguards, from asset inventory to penetration testing.
- Core pillars: hygiene (Controls 1-6), organizational defenses (7-16), advanced response (17-18).
- Built on real-world attack data; scalable via IGs; no certification, self-assessed compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates 85% common attacks, accelerates regulatory alignment (NIST, PCI DSS, HIPAA).
- Delivers ROI via efficiency, insurance discounts, vendor trust.
- Builds resilience against cloud, supply-chain threats; enhances market differentiation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased roadmap: governance, discovery, foundational rollout (IG1), expansion (IG2/IG3).
- Activities: asset inventories, automation, metrics tracking.
- Universal applicability; suits SMBs to enterprises; ongoing audits, no formal certification.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ENERGY STAR | CIS Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Energy efficiency in products, buildings, plants | Cybersecurity best practices, 18 controls, 153 safeguards |
| Industry | All sectors, consumer/commercial, U.S.-focused | All industries worldwide, IT/OT environments |
| Nature | Voluntary EPA labeling, certification program | Voluntary prioritized cybersecurity framework |
| Testing | Third-party lab testing, post-market verification | Automated assessments, penetration testing, audits |
| Penalties | Delisting, label removal, no legal fines | No formal penalties, reputational/breach risks |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ENERGY STAR and CIS Controls
ENERGY STAR FAQ
CIS Controls FAQ
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