What is the primary objective of **ISO 22301**?

**ISO 22301 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS).** It enables organizations to protect against, reduce the likelihood of, and recover from disruptive incidents while ensuring continuity of critical products and services. The standard follows a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle across 10 clauses, with core elements like Business Impact Analysis (**BIA**) and risk assessment driving resilience [1][2].

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **ISO 22301**?

**ISO 22301 applies to organizations of all sizes and sectors seeking to demonstrate BCMS capability.** It is not universally mandatory but is professionally required for regulated entities in critical sectors like utilities, transport, health, finance, and IT services, often aligned with regulations such as the EU's NIS Directive for essential services providers [10][11]. Certification enhances procurement advantages and stakeholder trust.

Does **ISO 22301** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**ISO 22301 certification requires a two-stage external audit by an accredited third-party body.** Stage 1 assesses readiness, and Stage 2 evaluates BCMS effectiveness, typically taking 6-8 weeks; certification is valid for 3 years with annual surveillance audits [3][6]. Internal audits are also mandated annually per Clause 9.

How often should an assessment for **ISO 22301** be performed?

**ISO 22301 requires internal audits and management reviews at planned intervals, typically annually.** Performance evaluation under Clause 9 includes monitoring, measurement, and testing of **BIA**, recovery plans, and **RTO**; the standard undergoes systematic review every 5 years, with the next by December 2025 [1][2][9].

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **ISO 22301**?

**Non-compliance with ISO 22301 exposes organizations to unmitigated disruptions, financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.** Certified organizations avoid these via tested plans; uncertified ones risk downtime costs (1 in 5 face significant annual disruptions), lost contracts, higher insurance premiums, and failure to meet mandates like NIS [4][10][11].

An **ISO 22301** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, ISO 22301 seamlessly maps to frameworks sharing Annex SL high-level structure, such as ISO 27001 and ISO 31000.** Its PDCA aligns with ISO 27001's A.17 controls for integrated management systems (**IMS**), enabling shared audits, procedures, and risk processes while extending to holistic BCM [2][5][11].

What is the first step to begin implementing **ISO 22301**?

**The first step is conducting a gap analysis against Clauses 4-10 to understand organizational context and scope the BCMS.** This involves leadership commitment (Clause 5), identifying internal/external issues and stakeholders (Clause 4), followed by **BIA** and risk assessment to prioritize critical functions [1][3][6].

What is the primary objective of **CIS Controls**?

**The primary objective of CIS Controls is to provide a prioritized set of 18 cybersecurity best practices comprising 153 actionable Safeguards to reduce organizational attack surface and enhance cyber resilience against common threats.** CIS Controls v8.1, developed by the Center for Internet Security, targets prevalent attack vectors like ransomware, phishing, and supply-chain compromises through Implementation Groups (IG1–IG3) scaling from basic hygiene (56 IG1 Safeguards) to advanced defenses.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **CIS Controls**?

**No organization is universally legally required to comply with CIS Controls, as it is a voluntary, consensus-driven framework applicable to all industries and sizes from SMBs to enterprises.** Professionally, CISOs, IT managers, compliance officers, and auditors in sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure adopt it for baseline hygiene, insurance, contracts, and state "reasonable security" guidance (e.g., Safe Harbor in Connecticut, Louisiana).

Does **CIS Controls** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**CIS Controls does not require external audit or third-party certification, relying instead on self-assessment via tools like CIS Controls Navigator and CIS-CAT.** Organizations demonstrate compliance through internal gap analysis, metrics (e.g., asset inventory coverage), and optional validation by insurers, regulators, or partners accepting CIS as evidence of hygiene.

How often should an assessment for **CIS Controls** be performed?

**CIS Controls assessments should be performed continuously with automated tools, supplemented by quarterly reviews and annual full maturity reassessments against Implementation Groups.** Use CIS RAM or Navigator for baselines, with ongoing metrics like vulnerability remediation SLAs (≤30 days for critical) and IG progression tracking.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **CIS Controls**?

**Non-compliance with CIS Controls exposes organizations to heightened breach risk, regulatory findings, litigation, and operational disruptions rather than direct penalties, as it is voluntary.** Impacts include data breaches enabling 85% of common attacks, fines under cited regimes (e.g., NY SHIELD Act up to $500K/violation), insurance denials, and lost contracts lacking core hygiene evidence.

Can **CIS Controls** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, CIS Controls v8.1 provides official mappings to over 25 frameworks via the CIS Controls Navigator.** Safeguards align with NIST CSF 2.0 (e.g., Govern function), PCI DSS, HIPAA, and others, enabling unified implementation as an operational layer.

What is the first step to begin implementing **CIS Controls**?

**The first step is Phase 0 governance: secure executive sponsorship, define scope (e.g., IG1 for SMBs), and conduct a baseline maturity assessment using CIS RAM or Navigator.** Follow with asset inventory (Controls 1–2) via automated discovery tools.

ISO 22301 vs CIS Controls

Standards Comparison

ISO 22301

Voluntary

2019

International standard for business continuity management systems

CIS Controls

Voluntary

2021

Prioritized cybersecurity framework for cyber resilience

Quick Verdict

ISO 22301 provides certified BCMS for operational resilience across disruptions, while CIS Controls offer prioritized cybersecurity safeguards for threat defense. Companies adopt ISO 22301 for continuity certification and regulatory compliance; CIS Controls for practical cyber hygiene and risk reduction.

Business Continuity

ISO 22301

ISO 22301:2019 Business continuity management systems Requirements

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

0-6 months

Key Features

Adopts PDCA cycle for continual BCMS improvement
Mandates Business Impact Analysis and risk assessment
Annex SL structure enables ISO standards integration
Provides flexible non-prescriptive contextual requirements
Offers three-year certification with surveillance audits

Cybersecurity

CIS Controls

CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1

Cost

€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

18 prioritized controls with 153 actionable safeguards
Implementation Groups IG1-IG3 for scalable adoption
Mappings to NIST CSF, ISO 27001, HIPAA frameworks
Free CIS Benchmarks for secure configurations
Offense-informed from real-world attack data

Detailed Analysis

A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

ISO 22301 Details

What It Is

ISO 22301:2019 Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements is an international certifiable standard for a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). It helps organizations plan, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain, and improve resilience against disruptions like cyberattacks, pandemics, and natural disasters. Built on a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle with Annex SL structure for integration.

Key Components

10 clauses (4-10 core): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
Core elements: Business Impact Analysis (BIA), risk assessment, recovery strategies, testing exercises.
Flexible, high-level requirements without prescriptive controls.
Certification: two-stage audit, 3-year validity, annual surveillance.

Why Organizations Use It

Enhances resilience, minimizes downtime and losses.
Ensures compliance with regulations like NIS Directive, NIST.
Builds stakeholder trust, reputation, competitive advantages.
Drives risk management, continuous improvement, cost savings.

Implementation Overview

Step-by-step: gap analysis, leadership commitment, BIA, training, testing, audits.
Suits all sizes, sectors, geographies.
Typical 60 days prep + 6-8 weeks certification with tools.

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 to all industries and organization sizes via Implementation Groups (IG1–IG3), using an offense-informed, safeguard-based approach.

Key Components

18 controls across asset management, data protection, vulnerability management, incident response, and more, with 153 actionable safeguards.
Built on real-world attack data; scalable via IG1 (56 basic safeguards), IG2/IG3 (advanced).
No formal certification; compliance via self-assessment, audits, mappings to NIST, ISO 27001.

Why Organizations Use It

Mitigates 85% of common attacks, cuts breach costs, accelerates regulatory compliance (NIST, HIPAA).
Builds trust, enables cyber-insurance discounts, operational efficiency.
Strategic advantage in vendor assessments, partnerships.

Implementation Overview

**Phased roadmapgovernance, discovery, foundational controls (IG1 3–9 months), expansion (6–18 months).
Involves asset inventories, automation, training; suits SMBs to enterprises, all sectors.
Ongoing metrics, no mandatory certification.

Key Differences

Aspect	ISO 22301	CIS Controls
Scope	Business continuity management system (BCMS)	Cybersecurity best practices and safeguards
Industry	All sectors, sizes, global applicability	All industries, sizes, technology-agnostic
Nature	Voluntary certification standard (PDCA cycle)	Voluntary prioritized cybersecurity framework
Testing	BIA, exercises, internal/external audits	Safeguard assessments, pen testing, monitoring
Penalties	Loss of certification, no legal penalties	No certification, no legal penalties

Scope

ISO 22301

Business continuity management system (BCMS)

CIS Controls

Cybersecurity best practices and safeguards

Industry

ISO 22301

All sectors, sizes, global applicability

CIS Controls

All industries, sizes, technology-agnostic

Nature

ISO 22301

Voluntary certification standard (PDCA cycle)

CIS Controls

Voluntary prioritized cybersecurity framework

Testing

ISO 22301

BIA, exercises, internal/external audits

CIS Controls

Safeguard assessments, pen testing, monitoring

Penalties

ISO 22301

Loss of certification, no legal penalties

CIS Controls

No certification, no legal penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ISO 22301 and CIS Controls

ISO 22301 FAQ

CIS Controls FAQ

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CIS Controls v8.1 IG1 Ransomware-Resilience Sprint: A 30-60-90 Day Action Plan (With Evidence Checklist)

Tactical CIS Controls v8.1 IG1 playbook for ransomware resilience. 30-60-90 day sprint with tool-agnostic tasks, ownership & evidence checklists to prove progre

Beyond the Burden: How Intuitive Compliance Software Transforms Daily Workflows

Explore intuitive compliance software that automates workflows, simplifies onboarding, and reduces stress. Cut non-compliance costs 3x and boost efficiency for

Beyond the Boardroom: 5 Ways Modern Compliance Software Elevates Every Department

Discover 5 ways modern compliance software boosts HR, IT, finance & more: automate risks, enhance efficiency, ensure data integrity, stay audit-ready. Elevate y

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

100+ Standards & Regulations

AI-Powered Insights

Collaborative Assessments

Actionable Recommendations

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

PRINCE2 vs ISO 37001

Compare PRINCE2 vs ISO 37001: Project governance powerhouse meets anti-bribery compliance gold standard. Boost success, cut risks—discover key differences now!

PCI DSS vs NIS2

Compare PCI DSS vs NIS2: Decode key differences in payment security & EU cyber rules. Master compliance, risks & alignment strategies. Secure your ops now!

COBIT vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Compare COBIT vs MLPS 2.0: Global IT governance meets China's mandatory cybersecurity scheme. Align strategy, mitigate risks, ensure compliance. Discover key differences now!

ISO 22301

CIS Controls

Quick Verdict

ISO 22301

Key Features

CIS Controls

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

ISO 22301 Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

CIS Controls Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

ISO 22301 FAQ

What is the primary objective of ISO 22301?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with ISO 22301?

Does ISO 22301 require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for ISO 22301 be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with ISO 22301?

An ISO 22301 be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing ISO 22301?

CIS Controls FAQ

What is the primary objective of CIS Controls?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with CIS Controls?

Does CIS Controls require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for CIS Controls be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with CIS Controls?

Can CIS Controls be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing CIS Controls?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CIS Controls v8.1 IG1 Ransomware-Resilience Sprint: A 30-60-90 Day Action Plan (With Evidence Checklist)

Beyond the Burden: How Intuitive Compliance Software Transforms Daily Workflows

Beyond the Boardroom: 5 Ways Modern Compliance Software Elevates Every Department

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

PRINCE2 vs ISO 37001

PCI DSS vs NIS2

COBIT vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)