13 Cybersecurity Standards You Must Know (Industry-Specific)

USD 4.88M – That’s the average number of global data breaches in 2024. The exponential growth of cyber threats has made cybersecurity standards a crucial requirement for all businesses. 

Cybersecurity standards are no longer just guidelines to help you manage and protect data. They’ve become a testament to your business’s security posture. In most deals, you’ll find vendors or customers asking what standards you comply with. 

Let’s explore 13 cybersecurity compliance standards, which industries they cater to, and how you can comply with them. 

TL;DR Cybersecurity standards are essential for businesses to protect data, ensure compliance, and demonstrate trustworthiness to stakeholders. This article highlights 13 critical cybersecurity standards, each catering to specific industries and regions, including HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, etc. The easiest way to ensure compliance is through automation tools that handle tasks like risk assessments, policy updates, and incident response efficiently.

What is a cybersecurity standard?

A cybersecurity standard is a published set of guidelines by an authoritative body to protect data implemented in a product or technology infrastructure. It contains processes, requirements, and security controls to lay out the best practices to improve your security posture. 

The cybersecurity standard you want to implement depends on several factors the location of your business, the industry you operate in, the kinds of data you collect, your target customers, etc. 

List of 13 cybersecurity standards you cannot miss

Some cybersecurity standards are mandatory if you’re operating in a certain industry or region and some are hygiene asks to showcase trust and credibility. The following list highlights some of the most common and important cybersecurity frameworks:

1. HIPAA

The gold standard for healthcare data protection in the U.S., HIPAA mandates how organizations handle, store, and transmit protected health information (PHI). 

HIPAA is often recognized more for its stringent non-compliance penalties than for its proactive patient privacy protections. This can be reasoned with HIPAA violation penalties going up to $3.2 million. 

So, if you’re in the healthcare industry in the USA, or even remotely collect and process patient information, make sure you’re aware of the HIPAA rules and comply with them. 

2. GDPR

The GDPR is a regulation or law for data protection applicable to any organization operating in or with the European Union. This is true for any business (even if you’re a startup) handling the personal data of EU citizens, this law emphasizes data privacy, user consent, and accountability.

The fines for non-compliance can reach up to €20 million or 4% of your business’s annual global turnover. GDPR fines can weight down growth for businesses and hence it’s taken quite seriously in the European market. 

3. PCI DSS

If your business handles credit card information then PCI DSS is essential for you to protect cardholder data and secure all payment systems. 

The new PCI DSS 4.0 has 12 new requirements and compliance has been made mandatory if a business deals with any kind of payment information. This is true for organizations that already comply with the standard, too. 

PCI fines in the U.S. can range between $5,000 to $100,000 per month! 

4. ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is a globally recognized information security standard that sets out the criteria for an information security management system (ISMS). Its purpose is to help organizations protect their information systematically and sustainably. 

The last update of the standard was in October 2022, as ISO 27001:2022, which aligned itself more closely with modern cybersecurity challenges. It now reflects more controls for securing information in cloud services and remote work environments. 

There are no fines for not complying with ISO 27001 except you won’t be able to close deals with your customer’s vendors. The certification not only strengthens security but also signals trustworthiness.

5. SOC 2

The SOC 2 compliance standard is almost a rite of passage if you’re a SaaS company handling customer data. It evaluates how well your organization implements trust principles like Security, Confidentiality, and Availability, ensuring that your data-handling practices are rock solid.

One of the best things about SOC 2 is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all standard. It made itself inclusive in the sense that you can customize its scope based on what’s most relevant to your business. But beware, auditors don’t take shortcuts. So, be ready with airtight processes.

6. NIST 

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework focuses on five key functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. It provides a structured approach to managing cybersecurity risks. 

The NIST cybersecurity standards were initially curated for only federal agencies but it was later realized that any business that wants to build a strong cybersecurity front, can follow its guidelines. 

Whether you’re in critical infrastructure or SMB tech, NIST is adaptable. Plus, it’s free, which makes it even more appealing for companies looking to level up their cybersecurity game without breaking the bank.

7. COBIT

COBIT is all about bridging the gap between IT management and business goals. It’s particularly popular in industries like finance and government, where aligning IT strategy with organizational objectives is non-negotiable.

Think of COBIT as the playbook for making sure your IT department isn’t just a support function but a strategic driver of value. It emphasizes governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC)—all in one.

The standards’s GRC approach contains actionable guidelines for areas like access management, user verification, data encryption, activity monitoring, and incident handling. It helps your organization establish well-rounded controls for strategic risk management and monitoring. 

8. CCPA

The CCPA is a state-level regulation aimed at enhancing privacy rights for California residents. If your business collects data from Californians, this regulation applies, even if you’re not headquartered there.

Failing to comply can result in fines of up to $7,500 per intentional violation. If GDPR sets the standard in Europe, CCPA serves as its equivalent in California.

9. CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)

If you’re part of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain, CMMC compliance isn’t optional for you. It has been critically designed to secure federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI). This standard requires your organization to demonstrate a certain level of cybersecurity maturity.

The model includes five levels, ranging from basic cyber hygiene to advanced capabilities, and even Level 1 has 17 distinct practices. Your compliance level depends on the kind of information you’re handling with the DoD. 

10. FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act)

FISMA applies to federal agencies and contractors and requires them to develop, document, and implement strong information security programs. This cybersecurity standard is backed by NIST’s guidelines, so expect a meticulous approach to securing federal data.

If you’re working in the public sector or are working with any federal agencies, this standard is necessary as most vendors are going to ask for compliance. This applies to all third parties, contractors, subcontractors, agencies, etc. 

11. HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework)

A favorite in healthcare and beyond, HITRUST CSF integrates multiple standards like HIPAA, NIST, and ISO 27001 into a single framework. This makes it easier for businesses working in multiple sectors to simplify compliance while maintaining high standards of security and privacy.

Fun fact: HITRUST certifications are often viewed as a competitive advantage because they demonstrate commitment to rigorous security measures.

12. SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act)

SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act)is a U.S. federal law focused on financial transparency and corporate accountability, but its IT provisions make it a key standard for cybersecurity teams in organizations. It mandates controls to secure financial data which reduces the risk of fraud and data breaches.

The SOX cybersecurity standard governs all publicly traded companies in the U.S., including their subsidiaries. It also places requirements on external auditors and securities analysts to prevent conflicts of interest and enhance investor trust.

13. FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program)

FedRAMP is a must-have for cloud service providers looking to work with U.S. government agencies. It standardizes security assessments and monitoring for cloud products, ensuring they meet stringent federal requirements.

Achieving FedRAMP authorization can open doors to lucrative government contracts, but be prepared for a long and detailed review process.

How do cybersecurity compliance standards benefit your organization?

Cybersecurity standards protect your company from risks associated with data breaches, regulatory penalties, and damage to reputation. For example, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR, all enforce strict controls for sensitive data, thereby taking care of its management and secure storage. 

Apart from the legal aspects, these standards also demonstrate your commitment to security and hence, they foster trust among your customers, partners, stakeholders, vendors, etc. 

For instance, standards like ISO 27001 or SOC 2 are an indication that your organization is taking proactive measures to address cybersecurity risks. This is one of the key differentiators in competitive markets. 

Furthermore, following such structured compliance frameworks makes processes like incident response and data governance very streamlined. This reduces operational inefficiencies and strengthens your overall security posture.

What is the easiest way to comply with a cybersecurity standard?

There are multiple ways to comply with cybersecurity standards like relying on internal teams and consultants, working with certified auditors, hiring compliance experts, etc. 

However, the easiest and most efficient way would be to use a GRC automation tool for consistent monitoring and continuous compliance. 

GRC automation tools, like Sprinto, map the requirements of the cybersecurity standards to internal controls and the respective risks involved with each control automatically. Then, they continuously monitor your systems and flag any anomalies in real time, helping you build a pristine audit trail. This reduces the risk of manual oversight.

Automation is the best way forward since it makes tasks like risk assessments, policy reviews, and employee training to be consistently completed on time. The tool can also map and update your policies according to changing regulations for constant alignment with evolving standards.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the ISO standards for cyber security?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has several key cybersecurity standards. ISO/IEC 27001 is the most prominent, which provides a framework for information security management systems (ISMS). ISO/IEC 27002 offers guidelines for information security controls, while ISO/IEC 27005 focuses on information security risk management.

2. What are the five main pillars of cybersecurity?

The five cybersecurity pillars are:

1. Identify: Understand and map out organizational cybersecurity risks and assets.
2. Protect: Implement safeguards and defensive mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Detect: Develop systems to recognize and flag potential security incidents in real time.
4. Respond: Take immediate and coordinated action when a cybersecurity threat is discovered.
5. Recover: Restore systems and capabilities after a security breach with minimal disruption.

3. What is CISA?

CISA stands for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Established in 2018, CISA’s primary mission is to defend critical infrastructure against cyber and physical threats.

4. Who is the father of cybersecurity?

While there’s no single universally acknowledged “father of cybersecurity,” Bob Thomas is often credited with creating the first computer security program in 1971. His “Creeper” program, which could move between DEC PDP-10 mainframe computers, is considered a pioneering moment in computer security.