Understanding CIS: A Guide to the Cybersecurity Framework

Updated on June 19, 2025, by ITarian

If you’re managing digital infrastructure, you’ve likely heard of CIS. But what is CIS and why is it such a critical piece of your cybersecurity puzzle?

CIS, or the Center for Internet Security, is a nonprofit organization that provides globally recognized best practices for securing IT systems and data. At the heart of CIS are tools like CIS Controls and CIS Benchmarks, which help organizations build, assess, and maintain robust cybersecurity postures. Whether you’re a startup CEO or a seasoned IT manager, CIS provides the roadmap to reduce cyber risk.

Why CIS Matters in Today’s Threat Landscape

Cyber threats are becoming more complex and relentless. According to recent industry reports, ransomware attacks increased by over 50% in the past year alone. In this environment, frameworks like CIS offer:

Actionable and prioritized guidance
Cost-effective security practices
Compliance readiness (NIST, ISO, CMMC)
Industry-agnostic applicability

For businesses seeking a balance between security and scalability, CIS is a smart starting point.

What Are CIS Controls?

CIS Controls are a set of 18 prioritized cybersecurity best practices. Formerly known as the SANS Top 20, they are designed to help organizations defend against the most common cyber attacks.

Key Benefits of CIS Controls:

Focus on foundational security
Adaptable to organization size
Regularly updated based on threat intelligence

Examples of CIS Controls:

Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets
Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software
Continuous Vulnerability Management
Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges
Account Monitoring and Control

These controls form the backbone of a cybersecurity framework that can scale across teams and technologies.

Understanding CIS Configuration Benchmarks

A CIS Configuration Benchmark is a detailed set of security configuration recommendations for specific technologies like operating systems, cloud platforms, and applications.

Why Use CIS Benchmarks?

Reduce attack surfaces
Align with compliance frameworks
Improve audit-readiness
Avoid misconfigurations

Popular benchmarks exist for:

Windows and Linux servers
AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Firewalls, routers, and browsers

Organizations can automate assessment using CIS-CAT (CIS Configuration Assessment Tool), a utility provided by CIS.

CIS vs Other Cybersecurity Frameworks

While CIS focuses on practical implementation, it’s often compared with broader standards like:

Framework	Focus	Audience
CIS	Actionable security controls & benchmarks	IT teams, SMBs, enterprises
NIST	Risk management and compliance	Federal agencies, contractors
ISO 27001	Information Security Management Systems (ISMS)	Global enterprises
COBIT	Governance & policy management	IT leadership, auditors

CIS often serves as a bridge between compliance mandates and hands-on security work.

Getting Started with CIS

1. Assess Your Environment

Use CIS Controls as a checklist to identify gaps.

2. Prioritize Controls

Start with Implementation Group 1 (IG1) for basic cyber hygiene.

3. Apply Benchmarks

Download and customize configuration benchmarks for your tech stack.

4. Monitor and Improve

Use CIS-CAT Pro for scanning, tracking, and continuous improvement.

Industry Use Cases

Healthcare: Protect patient data and meet HIPAA requirements
Finance: Secure transactions and prevent fraud
Retail: Defend customer information and point-of-sale systems
Government: Comply with CMMC and NIST mandates
Education: Safeguard student records and intellectual property

Final Thoughts

So, what is CIS? It’s not just a framework; it’s a comprehensive guide to building strong, scalable cybersecurity. With tools like CIS Controls and Benchmarks, your organization can reduce risk, meet compliance, and boost resilience.

Don’t wait until after a breach to take action. Implement CIS strategies today and start building a safer digital environment.

Start securing your business with CIS-backed solutions — sign up for a free trial now.

FAQ: What Is CIS?

1. What does CIS stand for in cybersecurity?

CIS stands for the Center for Internet Security, a nonprofit providing best practices for IT security.

2. What are CIS Controls used for?

CIS Controls are used to prioritize and implement key security practices to reduce cyber threats.

3. Are CIS Benchmarks free?

Yes, CIS offers many benchmarks for free, though advanced tools like CIS-CAT Pro require membership.

4. How does CIS relate to NIST?

CIS Controls can help fulfill many NIST framework requirements by providing specific implementation steps.

5. Who should use CIS?

Any organization — from small businesses to federal agencies — can benefit from implementing CIS practices.