ISO 27017
Code of practice for information security controls in cloud services
NERC CIP
Mandatory standards for BES cybersecurity and reliability
Quick Verdict
ISO 27017 provides cloud-specific security guidance for global CSPs within ISO 27001, while NERC CIP mandates enforceable cyber controls for North American electric utilities to ensure BES reliability. CSPs adopt 27017 for contracts; utilities comply with CIP to avoid FERC fines.
ISO 27017
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 Code of practice for cloud services
Key Features
- Clarifies shared responsibilities between CSPs and CSCs
- Adds seven cloud-specific controls (CLD series)
- Provides guidance for 37 ISO 27002 cloud controls
- Ensures multi-tenancy segregation and VM hardening
- Enables customer monitoring of cloud service activities
NERC CIP
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards
Key Features
- Risk-based tiering of BES Cyber Systems by impact
- Mandatory CIP Senior Manager governance accountability
- Electronic/physical security perimeters with monitoring
- 35-day patch evaluation and log review cadences
- Annual audits with multimillion-dollar enforcement penalties
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 27017 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 27017:2015 is a code of practice extending ISO/IEC 27002 with cloud-specific information security controls. It provides implementation guidance for cloud services across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models, using a risk-based approach within an ISO 27001 ISMS.
Key Components
- Guidance on 37 ISO 27002 controls adapted for cloud.
- Seven additional CLD cloud-specific controls (e.g., shared responsibilities, VM segregation).
- Dual perspectives for CSPs and CSCs.
- Integrated into ISO 27001 audits; no standalone certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Clarifies cloud shared responsibilities, reducing risk gaps.
- Meets procurement demands and regulatory alignment (e.g., GDPR).
- Enhances trust with customers via auditable cloud controls.
- Provides competitive edge for CSPs and due diligence for CSCs.
Implementation Overview
- Conduct cloud risk assessments and map controls to ISMS.
- Implement via policies, configurations, and shared-responsibility matrices.
- Suitable for CSPs, CSCs across sizes and industries globally.
- Assessed in ISO 27001 audits (9-12 months for joint scope).
NERC CIP Details
What It Is
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards are mandatory cybersecurity and physical security regulations for the North American Bulk Electric System (BES). Developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and enforced by FERC, they employ a risk-based, tiered approach categorizing BES Cyber Systems as high, medium, or low impact to prioritize controls.
Key Components
- Core standards: CIP-002 to CIP-014 covering asset identification, governance (CIP-003), personnel training (CIP-004), perimeters (CIP-005/006), system security (CIP-007), incident response/recovery (CIP-008/009), configuration management (CIP-010), and supply chain risks (CIP-013).
- Recurring cycles: 15-month policy reviews, 35-day patching, annual audits.
- Compliance via evidence retention (3 years) and enforcement penalties.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal mandate for BES owners/operators to avoid multimillion-dollar fines.
- Enhances grid reliability/resilience against cyber threats.
- Builds stakeholder trust, lowers insurance costs, enables market access.
Implementation Overview
Phased: scoping/inventory first, then controls, testing, audits. Applies to utilities/transmission entities in US/Canada/Mexico; requires annual NERC audits, no certification but ongoing enforcement. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 27017 | NERC CIP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Cloud-specific security controls, shared responsibility | BES cyber systems protection, grid reliability |
| Industry | Cloud providers/customers, all sectors globally | Electric utilities, North America BES owners |
| Nature | Guidance code of practice, voluntary ISO 27001 extension | Mandatory enforceable reliability standards |
| Testing | ISO 27001 audits include 27017 controls | Annual audits, 15/35-day monitoring cadences |
| Penalties | Certification loss, no legal penalties | FERC fines up to $1M per violation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 27017 and NERC CIP
ISO 27017 FAQ
NERC CIP FAQ
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