ISO 37001
International standard for anti-bribery management systems
CIS Controls
Prioritized cybersecurity best practices framework
Quick Verdict
ISO 37001 certifies anti-bribery systems to mitigate corruption risks globally, while CIS Controls provide prioritized cybersecurity safeguards for all organizations. Companies adopt ISO 37001 for legal defense and trust; CIS for breach prevention and compliance mappings.
ISO 37001
ISO 37001:2025 Anti-Bribery Management Systems
Key Features
- Risk-based anti-bribery management system framework
- Mandatory third-party due diligence and monitoring
- Leadership commitment and dedicated compliance function
- PDCA cycle for continual improvement
- Certifiable standard with financial controls
CIS Controls
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1
Key Features
- 18 prioritized controls with 153 actionable safeguards
- Implementation Groups IG1-IG3 for scalable adoption
- Mappings to NIST CSF, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
- Focus on asset inventory and vulnerability management
- Community-driven, offense-informed best practices
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 37001 Details
What It Is
ISO 37001:2025 is the international certifiable standard for Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS). It outlines requirements to prevent, detect, and respond to bribery using a risk-based, proportionate approach. Structured per the ISO Harmonized Structure (HS) and PDCA cycle, it applies to all sectors, sizes, and organization types, focusing solely on bribery (direct/indirect, public/private).
Key Components
- Clauses 4–10: context/risks, leadership, planning, support, operations, evaluation, improvement.
- Core controls: policy, compliance function, bribery risk assessment, due diligence, financial/non-financial controls, training, reporting/investigations.
- Annex A guidance with targeted measures.
- Third-party certification via accredited audits (annual surveillance).
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates prosecution risks (evidentiary defense under FCPA/UK Bribery Act).
- Builds trust, ESG alignment, reputational assurance.
- Delivers efficiencies (15% compliance cost cuts).
- Secures tenders, partnerships in high-risk areas.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, controls/training, audits/certification.
- Scalable for SMEs/multinationals.
- 6–12 months typical to certification.
CIS Controls Details
What It Is
CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) v8.1 is a community-driven cybersecurity framework of prioritized, actionable best practices. It focuses on reducing cyber risk through 18 controls and 153 safeguards, using a risk-based, implementation-group approach (IG1–IG3) tailored to organizational maturity.
Key Components
- 18 Controls covering asset management, data protection, vulnerability management, incident response.
- 153 Safeguards decomposed into testable actions.
- **Implementation GroupsIG1 (56 basic safeguards), IG2/IG3 for advanced needs.
- No formal certification; self-assessed compliance with mappings to NIST, ISO 27001.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates 85% of common attacks, cuts breach costs.
- Maps to regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS for compliance.
- Builds resilience, operational efficiency, insurer discounts.
- Enhances trust with partners, customers.
Implementation Overview
- Phased roadmap: governance, discovery, foundational controls (IG1), expansion.
- Activities: asset inventory, automation, metrics tracking.
- Applies to all sizes/industries; 9–18 months typical for mid-sized to IG2.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 37001 | CIS Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Anti-bribery management systems only | Comprehensive cybersecurity best practices |
| Industry | All sectors, global applicability | All industries, technology-focused |
| Nature | Voluntary certifiable management standard | Voluntary prioritized cybersecurity framework |
| Testing | Third-party certification audits, annual surveillance | Self-assessment, internal audits, pen testing |
| Penalties | No legal penalties, certification loss | No penalties, increased breach risk |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 37001 and CIS Controls
ISO 37001 FAQ
CIS Controls FAQ
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