blog post cover

8 Cybersecurity Frameworks & Compliance Standards for SaaS Businesses

A cybersecurity framework defines a standardized set of procedures or policies for organizations to establish and maintain cybersecurity controls to fend off threats. Security frameworks can be state-mandated or international policies. They help companies stay compliant and protected from cyber-attacks while improving customer trust and the organization's reputation.

Since cybersecurity frameworks have proven beneficial to organizations in many ways, companies often strive to adhere to framework guidelines and procedures. The benefits of security frameworks include the following:

  • Continuous protection of organizational and customer data
  • International recognition of trust
  • Improved customer and partner trust
  • Better identification of security and compliance gaps
  • Provides a clear structure to establish and implement a proper security plan

It is essential for SaaS companies to learn what security frameworks apply to your business and how far you meet their requirements. This guide will walk you through the most common security frameworks for SaaS businesses of all sizes and industries.

download the security frameworks guide
Download the PDF of this guide for free

Popular Security Frameworks and Standards

SOC 2 security framework

1. SOC 2

security, privacy, availability, processing integrity, and confidentiality

SOC 2, sometimes referred to as SOC II, stands for "Systems and Organizations Controls 2." It is a security framework based on the existing Trust Services Criteria (TSC) of AICPA (the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). These five criteria comprise security, privacy, availability, processing integrity, and confidentiality.

This reporting framework was created in 2010 as a guide for auditors to evaluate an organization's security protocols relevant to the five criteria mentioned. It covers how organizations manage the customer data stored in the cloud. SOC 2 aims to establish trust between a company and its customers.

privacy, security, identity concept visual

What SOC 2 is not

It's essential to underline that SOC 2 is neither a legal requirement nor a proxy for security best practices. Notwithstanding that its core principles cover processes and departments interacting with sensitive data, SOC 2 is not driven by standards or regulations like HIPAA. Nonetheless, it is a respectable report, and its role in data security cannot be underestimated.

Benefits of SOC 2 for your organization

Achieving SOC 2 attestation is, in fact, a substantial endeavor, considering the amount of planning, effort, and money it takes. Therefore, it's only natural to wonder about its advantages for your business. First and foremost, compliance with SOC 2 indicates that an organization maintains a trustable information security system regarding processing users' data. But it is certainly not the only point.

The reports attained through SOC 2 can contribute to the following:

  • Preserving a high level of information security practices
  • Credibility
  • Competitive advantage
  • Shorter sales cycles

Who is SOC 2 best suited for?

SOC 2 applies to all service providers that store customer data in the cloud. It was designed as a way to demonstrate the security controls you use in order to protect that data. As such, it is best suited for nearly all SaaS companies, cloud providers, and any organization that stores customer information in the cloud.

The Difference between SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type II

SOC 2 Type I report

It attests to controls that evaluate a service organization's controls related to the Trust Services Criteria over a specific point in time. It answers the question: are security controls designed suitably?

SOC 2 Type II report

It is an attestation of controls that assesses if they are suitably designed and implemented and how well they function over a minimum six-month period. It answers the question: do the implemented security controls operate effectively as intended?

cybersecurity

5 Trust Services Criteria

1. Security

The Security Criteria, also known as the Common Criteria, prove that a service organization's systems and control environments are protected against unauthorized access. It assures customers that their data is safe from information disclosure. On a side note, the security principle is the only criterion required for every SOC 2 audit.

2. Availability

As the name implies, Availability Criteria focus on whether a service organization's systems are available for operation and use. Some examples of this are data backups and disaster recovery. These could minimize downtime during a potential outage. The data should always be available, even in the event of hardware failure.

3. Confidentiality

The Confidentiality principle assesses how well an organization protects information deemed confidential. I.e., limiting access, usage, and storage. This ensures that only authorized people can access sensitive data. This principle is critical, especially for companies that handle high amounts of confidential information such as financial reports and intellectual property.

4. Processing Integrity

The Processing Integrity Criteria focuses on whether a system operates properly, timely, and validly. It might sound similar to availability, but a system can function properly with incorrect data. Therefore, a properly working system with incorrect data fulfills the Processing Integrity Criteria while failing to meet the Availability Criteria.

5. Privacy

The Privacy principle refers to how an organization's control activities protect customers' personally identifiable information (PII). It also ensures data handling practices align with the privacy notice and complies with the AICPA's Generally Accepted Privacy Principles. These criteria span customers' personal information (i.e., name, health, address, email address, phone number, etc.) and how they are collected, used, retained, and disposed of.

ISO 27001 security framework

2. ISO 27001

a set of standards focusing on information security

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 stands for "ISO/IEC 27001 – Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Requirements." It's an international standard honing in on information security. It was published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in partnership with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

ISO 27001 is a part of the ISO/IEC 27000 series, a set of standards focusing on information security. The certification for it is only performed by external certification bodies.

information security

Purpose of ISO 27001 certification

ISO 27001 combines a set of policies and processes for organizations to utilize. It provides a framework that organizations of any size and industry can use in order to ensure information security cost-effectively through an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Benefits for your organization

The standard provides the necessary know-how about information security for organizations. But it's not the only benefit. Companies can also get ISO 27001 certification and prove that they safeguard customer and partner data against security threats.

Individuals can also get ISO 27001 certified through a course and exam to show their skills to potential employers. Since the standard is international, it's recognized worldwide, boosting professional business opportunities.

Information Security Management System (ISMS) Objectives

ISO 27001 aims to protect the information in the following aspects:

Confidentiality: Information access should be restricted to authorized persons only.

Integrity: Information change can only be performed by authorized persons.

Availability: The information must be available and accessible to authorized persons whenever needed.

Who is the framework best suited for?

ISO 27001 applies to any business that deals with sensitive data. Be it a corporate or small business, private or government, profit or non-profit, various industries can benefit from the framework.

cloud security compliance

How does the standard work?

The core purpose of ISO 27001 is to secure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in a company. This starts with spotting potential problems that might adversely affect data (risk assessment) and then finding methods to prevent those from happening (i.e., risk management, mitigation, and treatment.)

The ISO 27001 standard requires companies to list all the controls to be implemented in a document called the Statement of Applicability.

Mandatory requirements for ISO 27001

The following section summarizes clauses from 4 to 10.

Clause 4: Context of the organization

Understanding and documenting the organization's context is critical to implementing an ISMS. Creating a document that includes internal and external stakeholders, competitors, client lists, interested parties, regulatory environments, and other industry standards helps maintain updated inputs.

The only mandatory documentation in this clause is the ISMS Scope (4.3) which an organization must define by setting the scope and applicability of the controls.

Clause 5: Leadership

The commitment of the top management is vital for an ISO 27001 certification. So much so that ISO audits comprise interviews with executive stakeholders. Top management must also document and communicate a Policy Statement with employees and clients according to the information security (5.2). Furthermore, internal roles and responsibilities must be assigned in order to meet ISO 27001 requirements.

Clause 6: Planning

ISO 27001 adopts a risk-based approach to information security, detailed in clause 6.1., covering risk assessment and management process. Companies need to establish, measure and monitor information security objectives based on the risks and opportunities. The best practice is to align these objectives with the company's overall strategic goals.

Clause 7: Support

This requirement focuses on comprehending how an organization is committed to providing the necessary resources to establish, implement, and maintain the ISMS. Foundational issues and activities that must be documented:

  • Resources
  • Competence
  • Awareness
  • Communication
  • Records
  • Documented information

Clause 8: Operation

Information security processes need to be planned, implemented and maintained. Clause 8 requires documented processes to mitigate risks that might stem from your organization's scoped operations.

Clause 9: Performance evaluation

Clause 9 requires monitoring and measurement. You need to document;

  • How you plan to continuously improve your ISMS
  • How you measure its effectiveness
  • How to know if your organization is getting reliable results

Moreover, it also asks for internal audits to ensure that you maintain ISO 27001 compliance after the certification audit is finalized.

Clause 10: Improvement

Improvement is a follow-up after the evaluation in Clause 9. Nonconformities and recommendations for improvement must be documented and addressed. This way, organizations can take more efficient action to improve their service and eliminate the underlying causes when applicable.

In the gist of it, Clause 10 focuses on damage control. How do you respond when you spot a nonconformity in your ISMS? And once you've resolved an issue, how do you improve the system, so it doesn't happen again? These are the questions you should answer.

ISO 27001 Certification Process

While the exact steps might vary, the process of ISO 27001 certification often progresses in the following steps:

Step 1: Assemble an ISO 27001 team

Step 2: Define the scope of your ISMS

Step 3: Perform risk assessment and implement controls

Step 4: Document and collect evidence

Step 5: Undergo a stage 1 audit

Step 6: Implement audit recommendations (Monitor, Measure, Review, Improve)

Step 7: Complete a stage 2 audit

Step 8: Run regular audits to maintain compliance

NIST security framework

3. NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The gold standard for building a solid cybersecurity program

What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) is a guidance based on existing standards, guidelines, and best practices to help organizations improve and organize their cybersecurity posture. It comprises the following:

  • Recommendations and standards for better identification and detection of cyber attacks
  • Guidelines on how to protect IT infrastructures and respond to and recover from incidents

Is NIST CSF mandatory?

Although it's voluntary for industry, Executive Order 13800, Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure, made it mandatory for US federal government agencies.

The NIST CSF is widely recognized and considered a gold standard for building a solid cybersecurity program or improving an existing one. Note that it's not one-size-fits-all guidance. Organizations have unique risks, varying vulnerabilities, and risk tolerances. Therefore the framework should be customized by different sectors to better address specific risks, needs, and situations.

The framework was created by The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to address a lack of uniform standards and guidelines regarding cybersecurity for organizations across different industries. It was created as voluntary guidance through private industry and governance collaboration.

Who is the framework best suited for?

The framework is most beneficial for small businesses or less-regulated entities. It might be less informative for larger organizations with well-established cybersecurity programs.

It is designed to be cost-effective with elements that can be prioritized and implemented. Furthermore, the CSF is available as a PDF and spreadsheet and as a reference tool.

Framework Objectives

NIST cybersecurity framework objectives

NIST's framework is intended to assist organizations in better understanding, managing, and reducing risks associated with cybersecurity. It also helps prioritize activities for critical operations and service delivery.

The prioritization stretches even to cybersecurity investments of an organization in order to maximize efficiency for each dollar spent. Additionally, organizations can benefit from the framework to communicate their cybersecurity posture between buyers and suppliers.

What are the Five Elements of NIST?

Identify

The Identify function lays the groundwork for a successful cybersecurity program. It refers to developing an understanding to manage cybersecurity risks to systems, people, assets, data, or other sources.

Protect

The Protect function refers to appropriate safeguards to ensure that the critical infrastructure services are delivered.

Detect

This element of the NIST CSF outlines how a cybersecurity event is identified and if it's done in a timely manner. Activities related to the identification process in this function include:

  • Ensuring that you detect anomalies and events in time and understand the scope of their potential impact
  • Implementing continuous monitoring capabilities and verifying the effectiveness of proactive measures

Respond

This function focuses on the actions you take in case of a detected incident and how well you contain the impact of a potential cybersecurity incident.

Benefits of Using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

  • The framework provides a systematic methodology for cybersecurity risk management.
  • It complements existing cybersecurity programs of organizations.
  • It helps identify areas in existing processes that require improvement or renewal.
  • NIST's CSF also enables cost-effective prioritization and better communication of improvement
HIPAA security framework

4. HIPAA

​​What is HIPAA?

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a US federal law regarding the safety of medical information established by Congress in 1996. The legislation aims to improve the efficiency of the United States healthcare system. It does so by standardizing best practices for data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information.

In recent years, the law has grown in prominence with the drastic increase in health data breaches caused by cyberattacks and ransomware attacks targeting health insurers and providers.

data security

Covered Entities for HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA, also known as Public Law 104-191, only applies to covered entities and their BAs as Congress requires. According to HIPAA, a covered entity is an organization or corporation directly dealing with PHI or personal health records (PHRs). The legislation requires these entities to comply with HIPAA and HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health.)

The HIPAA-covered entities fall into the following categories:

  • Health plans
  • Health care clearinghouses
  • Health care providers

Who needs to be HIPAA compliant?

HIPAA applies to the Covered Entities and their Business Associates. If your company handles protected health information (PHI), you might want to see if your business falls into the HIPAA Covered Entities or Business Associates categories.

What are the five main titles of HIPAA?

Title I: HIPAA Health Insurance Form

Title I protects health insurance coverage workers and their families who lose or change their jobs. It also ensures that group health plans procure coverage for individuals with specific diseases and preexisting conditions.

Title II: HIPAA Administrative Simplification

Title II of HIPAA requires the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish national standards for electronic healthcare transactions. It also handles the security and privacy of health data.

Title III: HIPAA Tax-Related Health Provisions

Title III of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act addresses tax-related provisions and guidelines, providing deductions for medical insurance.

Title IV: Application and Enforcement of Group Health Plan Requirements

Title IV further defines conditions for group health plans regarding the coverage for individuals with preexisting conditions and those seeking continued coverage.

Title V: Revenue Offsets

Title V addresses provisions related to company-owned life insurance and the treatment of individuals who lose their US citizenship for income tax purposes.

What are HIPAA Compliance Requirements?

In the healthcare industry, adhering to Title II is often what they refer to as HIPAA compliance. Title II, also known as the Administrative Simplification of provisions, includes the following compliance requirements:

  • HIPAA Privacy Rule: This rule aims to establish standards in order to protect the privacy of medical records and other personal health information.
  • HIPAA Security Rule: The Security rule establishes the standards for Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) security. This rule aims to ensure that every covered entity implements necessary safeguards to protect the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of electronically protected health information.
  • Transactions and Code Sets Standard: This standard covers rules to standardize electronic data interchange (EDI), referring to exchanging patient-identifiable and health-related information.
  • HIPAA Enforcement Rule: This rule contains provisions relating to compliance and investigations due to violation.
  • National Provider Identifier Standard: According to this standard, each covered entity must have a unique 10-digit National Provider Identifier number (NPI).

The HHS Office for Civil Rights performs audits and can issue penalties for HIPAA compliance violations.

What Information is Protected under HIPAA?

All individually identifiable health information that a covered entity or BA holds or transmits is protected under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The information can be in the paper, digital, or oral form.

PHI includes the following (not limited to):

  • Health information such as medical test results, diagnosis, treatment information, and prescription
  • National identification numbers, Social Security numbers, a patient's name, address, birth date, and other personally identifiable information (PII)
  • Past, present, and future physical or mental conditions of individuals
  • Website URLs, email addresses, IP addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers
  • Vehicle identifiers, medical record numbers
  • Biometric identifiers, including fingerprints, iris and retina scans, and voice prints
HIPAA cybersecurity framework requirements

HIPAA Compliance Checklist

  • Find the required annual audit and assessment applicable to your organization.
  • Perform the required audits and assessments
  • Analyze gaps and document any deficiencies
  • Prepare and execute a plan to remediate the deficiencies.
  • Review and update your remediation plans annually as necessary
  • Perform continuous monitoring and auditing
  • Ensure that all members of staff undergo annual HIPAA training from the designated HIPAA Compliance Officer
  • Regularly assess compliance and review HIPAA updates.
PCI DSS compliance standards

5. PCI DSS

Designed to manage the PCI security standards and improve payment account security throughout the transaction process

PCI DSS stands for The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, which covers a set of security standards intended to review that all companies that accept, process, transmit, or store credit card information maintain security. Launched on September 7, 2006, the standard was designed to manage the PCI security standards and improve payment account security throughout the transaction process.

The PCI DSS is administered and governed by the PCI SSC, an independent body created by Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and JCB. Note that the payment brands and acquirers are responsible for enforcing compliance, not the PCI council.

To whom does the PCI DSS apply?

The PCI DSS applies to any organization that accepts, transmits, or stores cardholder information regardless of size or the number of transactions. An additional note can be that organizations using third-party processors must also comply with the standard. It merely cuts down on efforts but doesn't exclude them from compliance.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

According to PCI DSS, the payment brands may, at their discretion, may fine an acquiring bank $5,000 to $100,000 per month for PCI compliance violations. The banks most likely pass along the fine to the merchant. Moreover, the merchant may face termination of the relationship or an increase in transaction fees. The penalties are not openly discussed or publicized, but they can be devastating for small businesses.

PCI DSS popular cybersecurity framework

The PCI DSS Requirements

  • Install and Maintain Firewalls
  • Implement Proper Password Protection
  • Protect Stored Cardholder Data
  • Encrypt Transmitted Data
  • Use and Regularly Update Anti-Virus Software
  • Develop and Maintain Secure Systems and Applications
  • Restrict Access to Cardholder Data
  • Assign Unique IDs for Access
  • Restrict Physical Access to Data
  • Track and Maintain Access Logs
  • Perform Regular Tests on Security Systems
  • Maintain an Information Security Policy

PCI DSS Validation Requirements for Merchants

PCI DSS Assessment

The assessment is conducted by a PCI SSC Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) or a PCI SSC Internal Security Assessor (ISA.) The assessment aims to validate that the organization is handling the card data per the PCI DSS requirements.

Applies to: Level 1 Merchants

Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)

Self-Assessment Questionnaire is a tool for validation concerning eligible merchants for self-assessment who aren't required to undergo a PCI DSS assessment.

The assessment results in completing a Report on Compliance (ROC).

Applies to: Levels 2, 3,4 Merchants

External Vulnerability Scan

A PCI SSC performs external assessments Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV). Applies to: All merchants (as applicable).

GDPR compliance standards

6. GDPR

What is GDPR?

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was designed and enacted by the European Union to ensure data privacy and security for all EU citizens and those living in the EU countries. While the regulation was born out of the EU, it imposes obligations to organizations worldwide that target, process, or collect data related to people in the EU.

Key Definitions for GDPR

Data processing – any automated or manual action performed on data, such as storing, organizing, collecting, erasing, recording, and so on.

Personal data covers any information that can be directly or indirectly personally identifiable.

Data subject – is the person whose data is processed, such as your website visitors or customers.

Data controller – is the person who handles data. For example, if you're an employee or owner that handles customer/visitor data, then you're the data controller.

Data processor – is a third party that handles personal data on behalf of a data controller.

Data Protection Principles

According to GDPR, article 5.1-2, there are seven protection and accountability principles you have to follow if you process data.

  • Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency – data must be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently
  • Purpose limitation –Collected data must have specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes. Further processing in a manner that is incompatible with the initial purposes is not allowed (unless it fits the statement in the related article.)
  • Data minimization – Collected data must be adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purpose.
  • Accuracy — Personal data must be accurate and kept up to date.
  • Storage limitation – Data must be kept in a format that allows identification no longer than necessary for data processing purposes.
  • Integrity and confidentiality – Personal data must be processed with necessary security measures, including protection against unauthorized processing, accidental loss, etc.
  • Accountability – The processor shall be accountable for and demonstrate compliance with all the above principles.
GDPR compliance requirement

10 Steps to GDPR Compliance Implementation

  1. Conduct an assessment to understand what data you have and map it to process flows
  2. Define what data you need and categorize personal data within process flows
  3. Outline what data you must keep and what is not necessary
  4. Determine how long you must keep the data
  5. Identify who has access to data and see if third-party processors are compliant.
  6. See whom the data is shared with and define access procedures.
  7. Ensure data security and keep security training requirements up to date
  8. Identify where the data is stored and perform staff awareness training.
  9. Publish privacy notices and policies
  10. Determine if a Data Protection Officer is needed and run data protection impact assessments
CIS Controls

7. CIS Controls

a set of defensive actions to prevent cyber attacks

What are the CIS Controls?

Formerly called the SANS Critical Security Controls (SANS Top 20), CIS Critical Security Controls are a set of defensive actions to prevent cyber attacks. Published by the Center of Internet Security, the CIS Controls were created in 2008 by an international consortium.

What are the Benefits of Implementing CIS Controls?

  • Prioritizing cyber defense actions
  • Prioritizing the remediation of misconfigurations
  • The CIS Controls reflect the knowledge of expert companies, government agencies, institutions, and individuals.
cybersecurity controls

The 18 CIS Critical Security Controls

1. Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets

Actively manage all enterprise assets, including end-user devices, network devices, and servers connected to the infrastructure physically, remotely, virtually, and within your cloud environments. This will help detect unauthorized and unmanaged assets to remove or remediate.

2. Inventory and Control of Software Assets

Actively manage all software on your network to prevent unauthorized or unmanaged software installation or execution.

3. Data Protection

Implement and improve processes and technical controls to identify, securely handle, classify, retain, and dispose of data.

4. Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software

All assets must have secure configurations (including end-user devices, operating systems, software, and servers.)

5. Account Management

Utilize tools and processes to properly assign and manage authorization to credentials for user accounts. These include administrator accounts, service accounts, assets, and software.

6. Access Control Management

Utilize tools and processes to create, assign, manage, and revoke access credentials and privileges.

7. Continuous Vulnerability Management

Continuously assess and track vulnerabilities on your entire asset inventory within your infrastructure in order to minimize, mitigate, and remediate security gaps.

8. Audit Log Management

Collect, review, alert, and retain audit logs that can be beneficial in detecting, understanding, or recovering from a cyber attack.

9. Email and Web Browser Protections

Email and web browsers pose risks of cyber attacks. Therefore, it's recommended that organizations improve the protection and detection of threats on these vectors.

10. Malware Defenses

Monitor, control, or prevent the installation of malicious codes, scripts, or applications on enterprise assets.

11. Data Recovery

Make sure to have proper data recovery practices in place in order to restore enterprise assets.

12. Network Infrastructure Management

Manage network devices actively to prevent vulnerable network services and access points.

13. Network Monitoring and Defense

Run processes and tools to establish and maintain proper network monitoring and defense across your organization's user base and network infrastructure.

14. Security Awareness and Skills Training

Implement, operate, and maintain a security awareness program to improve security consciousness and skills among the workforce.

15. Service Provider Management

Establish and maintain a program to evaluate service providers who hold your organization's and end users' sensitive data.

16. Application Software Security

Continuously assess the security of in-house developed, hosted, or acquired software in order to prevent, detect, and remediate vulnerabilities before they impact your organization.

17. Incident Response Management

Create and implement a program to develop incident response capabilities such as policies, training, and plans.

18. Penetration Testing

Regularly test the resiliency of enterprise assets to detect weaknesses by simulating the actions of an attacker.

8. FedRAMP

A standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services

What is FedRAMP?

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program is a United States government-wide program that aims to provide a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.

It encourages federal agencies and cloud service providers (CSPs) to adopt secure cloud services and modern cloud technologies, emphasizing security and protection of federal information.

The ultimate goal is to protect federal data in the cloud continuously. FedRAMP defines and consists of a core set of processes to ensure repeatable cloud security.

Is FedRAMP mandatory?

FedRAMP is mandatory for all executive agency cloud deployments and service models at Low, Moderate, and High-risk impact levels.

Examples of FedRAMP Certified Services

  • Slack
  • AWS
  • Zendesk
  • Trello Enterprise Cloud

What are the Goals of FedRAMP?

FedRAMP's objectives include:

  • Increase the use of near real-time data and automation for continuous monitoring in the cloud
  • Implement and maintain consistent application of existing security practices
  • Expedite the adoption of secure cloud solutions through assessments and authorization
  • Obtain consistent security authorizations using standards for cloud product approval in or outside of FedRAMP

FedRAMP Authorization Processes

There are two FedRAMP authorization approaches; JAB Provisional authorization and authorization through an agency.

Agency Authorization

In this approach, agencies work directly with a cloud service provider (CSP) throughout the process. The authorization process finalizes with an Authority to Operate letter.

The JAB Provisional Authorization

In this approach, the Joint Authorization Board issues a provisional authorization. The process includes the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration (GSA), the primary governing body of FedRAMP, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Continuous Compliance & Simple Evidence Collection for Cloud Stacks

query cloud security and compliance

Resmo is a cyber asset visibility, security, and compliance solution for your cloud and SaaS stacks.

Query resources using SQL

  • Answer complex security and compliance questions across your assets
  • Query resource and rule changes
  • Expedite vulnerability scans and incident response operations

Collect and continuously monitor all assets in one place

  • Gain visibility across your asset landscape
  • Get alerted when there is a rule violation, misconfiguration, or a resource change

Compliance and security framework checks

Accelerate security best practices and compliance audits by automating checks with out-of-the-box conformance packs. Plus, collecting compliance evidence is easier with a unified and exportable resources view.

automated compliance audit

Conclusion

Security frameworks benefit SaaS businesses with their long-term business goals. From increased customer trust to vulnerability minimization, they set the groundwork for a solid, secure, and compliant business foundation. SaaS companies planning on obtaining compliance with security frameworks or standards must first understand where they stand and which frameworks they apply to. Then, they can start their auditing journey with an established and continuous security program.

Remember, trust is your number one foundational leverage for becoming a reputable and trusted business.

Like this guide? Download the Security Frameworks Guide for free.

Continue Reading

Sign up for our Newsletter