14 Security Frameworks and Standards to Consider

There may be a growing number of cybersecurity threats, but there are also several you can implement to reduce your risk and exposure to cyber threats. The question is: Which ones do you need to focus on?

To help you make this decision, we've compiled a list of the most popular cybersecurity frameworks and standards organizations should consider.

What is a Security Framework?

Security frameworks are structured sets of guidelines, policies, and controls that help organizations manage risk, protect data, and maintain compliance. They act as blueprints for building a secure environment, outlining how to assess threats, implement safeguards, and respond to incidents.

Most frameworks are aligned with regulatory requirements or industry standards and can be tailored to a company’s size, sector, and risk tolerance. Some are mandatory for compliance (like HIPAA), while others (like NIST or ISO 27001) provide a flexible structure for building a defensible security program and maintaining a strong security posture..

14 Common Security Frameworks

All cybersecurity frameworks and standards are valuable when it comes to keeping data safe, but they aren’t created equal. Some are required for certain industries. You’ll need to evaluate additional frameworks to see what makes the most sense, depending on how your organization operates.

Pay close attention to how these frameworks will apply to your organization before you start the audit process or pursue a certification. 

Framework

Primary Focus

Certification / Attestation

Method

Best For

PCI DSS

Payment card data protection

Yes

Third-party QSA

Merchants, payment processors

HIPAA

Protected health information (PHI)

Yes (not mandatory)

Self-assessment or third-party audit

Healthcare providers, insurers, vendors

CMMC

DoD vendor cybersecurity compliance

Yes

Third-party C3PAO audit

Defense contractors and subcontractors

NIST CSF

Risk-based cybersecurity guidance

No

Self-implemented

Critical infrastructure, U.S. private sector

NIST SP 800-53

Technical and administrative controls

No

Self-implemented or FedRAMP assessed

Federal systems, contractors

NIST SP 800-171

Protection of Controlled Unclassified Info

No

Self-attestation

DoD contractors, non-federal systems

GDPR

European Union data privacy and protection

No (legal obligation)

Regulator oversight

Organizations handling EU resident data

SOC 2

Customer data and operational controls

Yes (attestation)

Independent CPA firm

SaaS, cloud, tech providers

ISO/IEC 27001

Information security management systems

Yes

Accredited certification body

Global organizations, regulated industries

FFIEC

Financial cybersecurity and risk

No

Regulatory examination

U.S. banks, credit unions, financial orgs

Microsoft SSPA

Vendor privacy/security compliance

Yes

Self-attest or approved assessor

Microsoft vendors and data processors

SOX ITGC

IT controls for financial reporting

No (required in SOX audit)

Included in external audit

U.S. public companies, some private firms

HITRUST CSF

Unified risk and compliance framework

Yes

HITRUST-certified external assessor

Healthcare, finance, tech with high compliance

FISMA

Federal information security for agencies and contractors

No

Self-implemented; reviewed by agency or IG

U.S. federal agencies and contractors

1. PCI DSS

• Scope: Cardholder data security, access controls, encryption, secure payment processing
• Best for: Merchants, e-commerce companies, and service providers handling credit card data
• Certification: Required for compliance
• Audit type: Third-party audit or annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), depending on level

The PCI DSS  is a framework for organizations that handle payment cards. It was developed by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards Council and is published by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide, and Visa Inc.

PCI defines two types of organizations, merchants and service providers. Depending on your PCI organization type and level, you may be able to submit a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) or you may be required to undergo an audit in order to demonstrate your compliance.

2. HIPAA

• Scope: Protected health information (PHI) privacy, data handling, administrative safeguards
• Best for: Healthcare providers, insurers, and vendors with access to PHI
• Certification: No formal certification required, but attestation is common
• Audit type: Self-assessment or third-party audit (voluntary or client-driven)

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the privacy of health information by regulating its use and disclosure by covered entities. These entities include healthcare providers, clearinghouses, and plan sponsors. HIPAA also defines a second type of entity, called a Business Associate, who have less direct regulatory responsibility but must still demonstrate the protections they have implemented with regards to health information.

Covered entities must implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the privacy of protected health information (PHI). HIPAA does not require an audit, but many organizations undergo a HIPAA audit to demonstrate their compliance to customers and potential partners.

3. CMMC

• Scope: Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), access control, risk management, cybersecurity maturity
• Best for: U.S. Department of Defense contractors and subcontractors
• Certification: Yes, mandatory based on CMMC level
• Audit type: Third-party audit by a certified C3PAO

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a U.S. standard for measuring the maturity of an organization's cybersecurity program. CMMC is a framework based on NIST 800-171 created by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to help secure data sent to or produced by external organizations for the DoD called Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). 

CMMC has three levels, and depending on your level, you may be able to self-attest your CMMC compliance. Some levels do require an audit in order to have a CMMC certification issued.

If you do need an audit, you can find a C3PAO, which is an independent service provider to audit defense contractors and verify your CMMC compliance efforts. After you undergo a complete assessment, it will be reviewed. If your organization passes, you’ll receive a three-year certification.

4. NIST CSF

• Scope: Cyber risk management, threat detection, incident response, continuous improvement
• Best for: U.S. private sector companies, critical infrastructure, and maturing security teams
• Certification: No, it's a voluntary guidance framework (excepting U.S. Federal Agencies)
• Audit type: Self-assessed or used to align with other audit-ready programs

The NIST CSF is a voluntary framework that provides a common language for cybersecurity. It's a risk management framework with five steps: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.

Implementing NIST CSF is voluntary for industry organizations, but required for U.S. Federal Agencies. If you are in the supply chain for a U.S. Federal Agency, you should examine your contract with the agency or contractor of the agency to determine if you're required to adhere to the NIST CSF.

5. NIST Special Publication 800-53

• Scope: Comprehensive control catalog for federal information systems and contractors
• Best for: Government agencies, FedRAMP systems, and high-assurance environments
• Certification: Not certifiable on its own
• Audit type: Assessed as part of FedRAMP or FISMA audits

NIST Special Publication 800-53 is a U.S. government standard for information security management systems, which includes the development and operation of a cybersecurity program. However, in version five, revised in 2020, this framework was opened to all types of organizations. It provides one comprehensive set of controls for businesses across industries. 

NIST 800-53 comes in multiple levels, called impact levels, which are traditionally low, moderate, and high. Additional categories of NIST 800-53 controls also exist, such as privacy controls which may be incorporated into the framework. NIST 800-53 is the basis for FedRAMP.

6. NIST Special Publication 800-171

• Scope: Protection of CUI in non-federal systems, access control, system integrity
• Best for: Contractors and suppliers working with federal agencies or the DoD
• Certification: Self-attestation only
• Audit type: Self-assessment or part of the CMMC certification process

NIST Special 800-171 is a cybersecurity framework developed by NIST in collaboration with the public and private sectors. It’s specifically for federal agencies that work with non-federal departments or companies. 

The intent behind NIST 800-171 is to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). There is no formal audit for NIST 800-171, and compliance with the standard is purely self-attestation. Because there is no formal audit process for 800-171, the Department of Defense developed CMMC.

7. GDPR

• Scope: EU personal data protection, consent, data subject rights, data breach notification
• Best for: Any organization handling personal data of EU residents
• Certification: No, it’s a legal obligation with possible regulatory fines
• Audit type: Ongoing compliance; subject to regulator audit or enforcement

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU-wide law that regulates how companies handle personal data. GDPR requires organizations handling the sensitive data of EU citizens to implement strong safeguards around the collection, use, transfer, and storage of such information.

It also gives individuals greater control over their data by requiring companies to notify them when a breach affects their personal information.

As GDPR is considered to be one of the strictest privacy regulations in the world, there are a number of obligations businesses must comply with. 

8. SOC 2

• Scope: Data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy
• Best for: SaaS companies, cloud service providers, and B2B service organizations
• Certification: No, but attestation is required for reporting compliance
• Audit type: Third-party audit by licensed CPA firm

SOC 2 is a security framework that defines how companies should manage, process, and store customer data based on the five Trust Services Criteria (TSC, which are: Security, Confidentiality, Availability, Privacy, and Processing Integrity. It’s also one of the most well-recognized ways to prove your commitment to information security.

Auditors will look at how effectively your controls are operating, how quickly you respond to security risks or incidents, if you're complying with the commitments you have made to your customers, and how clearly you communicate about risks and recovery processes to determine if you’re compliant. 

Your Fast, Frictionless SOC 2 Journey Starts With Drata

Meeting compliance requirements can be an arduous and manual effort. Let us take you from security novice to continuous monitoring in a few hours.

9. ISO 27001 

• Scope: Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), organizational controls, risk-based security
• Best for: Global organizations, enterprises, and companies scaling their security programs
• Certification: Yes, internationally recognized
• Audit type: Third-party audit by accredited certification body

ISO 27701 is an international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It defines the requirements of an ISMS, outlines how to implement it, and provides guidance on how to maintain it. 

Any business experiencing growth in international markets that wants to demonstrate its ability to preserve the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information can benefit from ISO 27001.

Once you’re ready to go for ISO 27001 certification, you’ll need to choose an accredited certification body to perform the audit. After you have completed your audit, you are issued an ISO 27001 certification, which is valid for a three-year period.

10. FFIEC

• Scope: Financial sector cybersecurity, risk assessments, internal controls, regulatory oversight
• Best for: U.S. banks, credit unions, and financial institutions
• Certification: No, part of the regulatory exam process
• Audit type: Reviewed by regulators (OCC, FDIC, NCUA, etc.)

The FFIEC framework is a set of standards that all banks, savings associations, and credit unions must implement to minimize the threat that increasingly sophisticated hackers pose to both organizations and customers.

To determine compliance with FFIEC guidelines, comprehensive assessments of the environment must be conducted, and you’ll need to prepare for an FFIEC audit. FFIEC also puts out a self-assessment tool, which the audits are based upon. This tool, called the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT) can be used internally to prepare for the audit.

FFIEC defines five maturity levels for each of the five domains covered by the framework: Baseline, Evolving, Intermediate, Advanced, and Innovative.

In order to be considered at a particular level, you must meet all of the requirements at that level and any lower level. For example, in order to be considered Intermediate in Domain 1, you must have implemented all requirements at Baseline, Evolving, and Intermediate in Domain 1.

11. Microsoft SSPA

• Scope: Supplier privacy compliance, data handling safeguards, Microsoft’s DPR enforcement
• Best for: Vendors and service providers that process Microsoft personal or confidential data
• Certification: Yes, required depending on the supplier data profile
• Audit type: Annual self-attestation or approved third-party audit

According to Microsoft's website, the Supplier Security and Privacy Assurance (SSPA) Program delivers Microsoft's data processing instructions, through the Microsoft Supplier Data Protection Requirements (DPR), to suppliers working with Personal Data and/or Microsoft Confidential Data.

All enrolled suppliers are assigned a profile based on the types of data they possess/process for Microsoft and must complete an annual self-attestation of DPR compliance.

Depending on your profile, suppliers who process certain types of data may be required to undergo a third-party audit. Microsoft maintains a list of pre-selected assessors who are authorized to conduct these audits. Microsoft purchasing tools validate the SSPA status is compliant for each supplier in scope for SSPA before allowing an engagement to take place. 

12. SOX ITGC

• Scope: IT general controls for financial reporting, data integrity, change management
• Best for: U.S. public companies and private firms preparing for IPO or audit readiness
• Certification: No, but required as part of SOX compliance
• Audit type: Third-party (external auditor reviews as part of SOX audit)

ITGCs or IT General Controls are a subset of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) internal control set.

The objective of SOX ITGC is to ensure the integrity of the data and processes that the systems support. During a SOX compliance audit, the auditor will review overall IT management, as well as specific ITGC controls. This includes security of IT systems and data centers, data backup and storage, and change management activities. 

All publicly traded companies in the U.S. are required to undergo a SOX audit on an annual basis. SOX additionally applies to certain privately held companies.

13. HITRUST CSF

• Scope: Unified framework combining HIPAA, NIST, ISO, and more; risk-based security and privacy controls
• Best for: Organizations in highly regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and tech
• Certification: Yes, required by many enterprise customers
• Audit type: Third-party audit by HITRUST-approved assessor

The HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is a certifiable framework that consolidates controls from several standards, including HIPAA, NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It was developed to give organizations a single, risk-based framework to manage compliance and information security across multiple requirements.

HITRUST is particularly common in healthcare and fintech, where proving adherence to overlapping security and privacy obligations is often a prerequisite for vendor approval. Certification can also demonstrate maturity to partners, customers, and regulators.

14. FISMA 

• Scope: U.S. federal law that requires federal agencies and contractors to implement comprehensive security programs based on NIST standards (typically SP 800-53)
• Best for: U.S. federal agencies and private contractors handling government data or systems
• Certification: No formal certification, compliance is required by law
• Audit type: Assessed through annual reviews, reporting to OMB, and Inspector General audits

The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) is a U.S. federal law that requires government agencies and contractors to implement robust information security programs. FISMA compliance is guided by NIST Special Publication 800-53 and mandates ongoing security planning, control implementation, risk assessments, and annual audits.

Unlike standalone frameworks, FISMA is a legal requirement tied to agency operations. Organizations that store, process, or transmit federal data must comply to maintain their government contracts.

What’s the Right Security Framework for Your Organization?

The right security framework depends on your industry, customers, regulatory obligations, and the type of data you manage. It should align with your risk profile and support both your current operations and future growth.

Here’s how to think about it:

• If you need to protect health, financial, or government data, look into mandatory frameworks like HIPAA, PCI DSS, or FISMA.
• If you're selling to enterprises or scaling globally, consider certifiable frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, or HITRUST to establish trust and accelerate vendor approvals.
• If you operate in or near the U.S. government ecosystem, CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, and FISMA are table stakes for eligibility.
• If your focus is privacy, GDPR, ISO 27701, and Microsoft SSPA offer strong privacy-centric controls.
• If you want a flexible, risk-based model, use NIST CSF or COBIT as foundational frameworks and map others onto them over time.

You may need more than one framework, especially if your customers operate in regulated industries or international markets. The good news is that many frameworks overlap in controls and intent. Starting with one can make others easier to implement later.

Bottom Line: Taking Steps Toward Compliance 

Whether you’re adding another standard under your belt or just starting your compliance journey, Drata’s Trust Management platform is just what you need to streamline the process for the frameworks covered on this list and more. 

Additionally, as you achieve compliance for one framework, we provide full visibility into your readiness for additional frameworks, helping you take advantage of any overlap and reduce redundant work.

Get Audit-Ready Faster With Drata's SOC 2 Compliance Solution

Book a demo of Drata’s SOC 2 compliance solution to learn how to get audit-ready faster.

Schedule a Demo

Security Frameworks Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Still stuck on which framework meets your business needs? Below, we answer questions related to the most popular security frameworks out there.

What Security Framework is Best?

The best security framework depends on your specific needs, industry, regulatory requirements, and security maturity. ISO 27001 is ideal for global organizations seeking certification, while SOC 2 is often best for SaaS and cloud providers. NIST CSF is a strong choice for U.S. organizations looking for a flexible, risk-based model. Healthcare, financial, and government organizations typically need industry-specific frameworks like HIPAA, PCI DSS, or FISMA.

What are the 5 Frameworks of NIST?

The frameworks most commonly referenced NIST frameworks are:

1. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), for managing and reducing cybersecurity risk
2. NIST SP 800-53, a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls
3. NIST SP 800-171, for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
4. NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), a process for integrating security and risk into systems
5. NIST Privacy Framework, a companion framework focused on managing privacy risk

Which is Better, ISO 27001 or NIST?

ISO 27001 and NIST serve different purposes. ISO 27001 is a certifiable international standard that manages information security through an ISMS. NIST frameworks, like CSF or SP 800-53, offer detailed control guidance and are widely used by U.S. organizations and federal contractors. 

ISO 27001 is better for organizations that need formal certification; NIST is more flexible and detailed for risk management.

Is ISO 27001 Outdated?

No, ISO 27001 is not outdated. In fact, the most recent version, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, updated the standard to reflect modern security needs, streamline its control structure, and align more closely with frameworks like NIST.  ISO 27001 remains globally relevant and applicable to evolving cyber threats.

Why is NIST So Popular?

NIST frameworks are popular because they are free, detailed, and widely trusted, especially in the U.S. They provide clear guidance for risk management, system security, and privacy, and are backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Many other frameworks, including CMMC and FedRAMP, are built on NIST publications.

What is the Difference Between NIST and NIST 800?

“NIST” refers to the National Institute of Standards and Technology as a whole, while “NIST 800” refers specifically to the Special Publication 800-series, which includes detailed technical standards and security controls. Examples include SP 800-53 for control catalogs and SP 800-171 for protecting CUI. These documents are part of NIST’s broader library of standards.