Security Frameworks

Industry-Leading Frameworks

OWASP Top 10

The OWASP Top 10 is a list of the 10 most critical web application security risks. Updated regularly, it serves as a standard for awareness and development.

Why OWASP Top 10 Matters

Organizations that follow OWASP Top 10 guidelines can prevent over 90% of common web application attacks. The framework is referenced in compliance standards including PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. Major breaches like Equifax (2017) and Capital One (2019) could have been prevented by implementing OWASP recommendations.

1. Broken Access Control

Risk: Users can act outside their intended permissions. Attackers can access unauthorized resources or perform privileged actions.

Examples: Broken access control in web applications can allow users to bypass authentication, view other users' data, or escalate privileges.

Real-World Case: Facebook Data Leak (2019)

A broken access control vulnerability allowed third-party apps to access over 540 million Facebook user records including comments, likes, reactions, and account names stored on unprotected Amazon S3 servers. The incident resulted from improper API access controls that failed to restrict which user data apps could access and store.

Prevention: Implement proper authorization checks, use principle of least privilege, enforce authentication on all sensitive operations, and regularly audit access controls.

2. Cryptographic Failures

Risk: Exposure of sensitive data due to weak or missing encryption. This includes insecure data transmission and poor key management.

Examples: Storing passwords in plaintext, using outdated encryption algorithms, transmitting data over unencrypted channels.

Real-World Case: Adobe Password Breach (2013)

Adobe suffered a massive breach exposing 153 million user accounts. The company used weak ECB (Electronic Codebook) encryption for passwords instead of proper salted hashing. Password hints were stored in plaintext, allowing attackers to easily decrypt passwords. The breach cost Adobe $1.1 million in settlements and severe reputation damage, highlighting the critical importance of using proper cryptographic methods.

Prevention: Use strong encryption (AES-256), TLS/SSL for data in transit, secure key storage, and regular security audits.

3. Injection

Risk: Untrusted data sent to an interpreter can trick it into executing unintended commands (SQL Injection, NoSQL Injection, etc.).

Examples: SQL injection, command injection, LDAP injection, OS command injection.

Prevention: Use parameterized queries, input validation and sanitization, principle of least privilege for database accounts, and Web Application Firewalls.

4. Insecure Design

Risk: Missing security controls from the design and architecture stage. This means building in security from the start matters.

Examples: No threat modeling, missing security requirements, weak authentication mechanisms by design.

Prevention: Conduct threat modeling, define security requirements early, implement secure design patterns, and perform security reviews.

5. Security Misconfiguration

Risk: Insecure default configurations, incomplete setups, open cloud storage, or unnecessary services running.

Examples: Debug mode enabled in production, default credentials not changed, unnecessary services running, missing security headers.

Prevention: Use secure configuration baselines, automate configuration management, regularly scan for misconfigurations, and implement hardening standards.

6. Vulnerable & Outdated Components

Risk: Using libraries, frameworks, or components with known vulnerabilities that haven't been patched.

Examples: Old versions of frameworks, unpatched third-party libraries, vulnerable dependencies.

Prevention: Keep all dependencies updated, use software composition analysis tools, subscribe to security advisories, and maintain an inventory of components.

7. Authentication & Session Management Failures

Risk: Compromised user identities through weak authentication or session management allowing account takeovers.

Examples: Weak passwords, session fixation, exposed session tokens, no multi-factor authentication.

Prevention: Implement strong password policies, MFA, secure session management, and use security frameworks for authentication.

8. Software & Data Integrity Failures

Risk: Assumptions about integrity of software updates, data, or plugins without verification of digital signatures or proper provenance.

Examples: Insecure CI/CD pipelines, unverified updates, compromised dependencies.

Prevention: Use digital signatures, secure CI/CD practices, verify component integrity, and implement signed releases.

9. Logging & Monitoring Failures

Risk: Insufficient logging and monitoring allowing attacks to go undetected for extended periods.

Examples: No logging of security events, no alerting on suspicious activities, logs not protected.

Prevention: Log security events, implement SIEM systems, set up alerts for suspicious activities, and protect log integrity.

10. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Risk: Web application fetches remote resources without validating the URL, allowing attackers to cause the app to request unintended resources.

Examples: Accessing internal services, scanning internal networks, accessing cloud metadata endpoints.

Prevention: Validate and sanitize URLs, use whitelisting for allowed destinations, disable unused protocols, and monitor outbound requests.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

The NIST CSF provides guidance for managing and reducing cybersecurity risk. It's organized into Functions, Categories, and Subcategories.

NIST Framework Adoption

70%

U.S. critical infrastructure uses NIST CSF

50+

Countries have adopted NIST principles

$2.2M

Avg. cost savings per breach with framework

Real-World Impact: After Target's 2013 breach (40M+ cards stolen, $292M cost), retailers widely adopted NIST CSF. Studies show organizations using NIST CSF reduce breach costs by an average of $2.2 million and detect incidents 30% faster.

Identify

Purpose: Understanding your assets, business processes, and risks is the foundation of cybersecurity.

Key Activities:

Asset management and inventory
Risk assessment and analysis
Identifying critical assets and data
Governance and policy development

Protect

Purpose: Implement safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services and protect identified assets.

Key Activities:

Access control and authentication
Data security and encryption
Infrastructure protection
Supply chain security

Detect

Purpose: Implement monitoring and detection capabilities to identify cybersecurity events promptly.

Key Activities:

Continuous monitoring and detection
Event and incident detection
Security information and event management (SIEM)
Analysis and investigation procedures

Respond

Purpose: Take action to address detected incidents and minimize impact.

Key Activities:

Incident response planning
Communications and analysis
Mitigation and containment
Improvements and lessons learned

Recover

Purpose: Restore systems to normal operations and rebuild capabilities after incidents.

Key Activities:

Recovery planning and procedures
System restoration and improvements
Business continuity planning
Post-incident review and enhancement

ISO 27001 Information Security Management

ISO 27001 is an international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It helps organizations establish and maintain information security.

ISO 27001 Implementation Roadmap

Phase 1: Preparation (1-2 months)

• Define scope of ISMS (which departments, systems, data)
• Secure executive sponsorship and budget
• Form cross-functional implementation team
• Conduct gap analysis against ISO 27001 Annex A controls

Phase 2: Risk Assessment (1-2 months)

• Identify information assets (data, systems, people, facilities)
• Assess threats and vulnerabilities for each asset
• Determine risk likelihood and impact
• Create risk treatment plan (accept, mitigate, transfer, avoid)

Phase 3: Control Implementation (3-6 months)

• Develop required policies and procedures (93 controls in Annex A)
• Implement technical controls (access control, encryption, backups)
• Deploy physical security measures
• Conduct security awareness training for all staff

Phase 4: Certification (2-3 months)

• Conduct internal audit of ISMS
• Perform management review
• Engage accredited certification body
• Complete Stage 1 (documentation review) and Stage 2 (on-site audit)

Investment: Small businesses: $20K-$50K | Medium: $50K-$150K | Enterprise: $200K+ (including consultant fees, certification, and tool costs)

Core Principles of ISO 27001

The Three Pillars of Information Security:

Confidentiality: Only authorized parties can access information
Integrity: Information is accurate and complete; not modified without authorization
Availability: Information is accessible to authorized parties when needed

Key Components:

Risk assessment and treatment
Information security policies
Control objectives and controls
Continuous monitoring and review
Employee training and awareness

Zero Trust Architecture

Zero Trust is a security model based on the principle "Never Trust, Always Verify." It assumes threats can come from both outside and inside the network.

Practical Zero Trust Implementation Guide

Step 1: Inventory & Classify

✓ Map all users, devices, applications, and data
✓ Classify data by sensitivity (public, internal, confidential, restricted)
✓ Document all data flows between systems
Tools: Asset discovery scanners (Qualys, Tenable), CMDB platforms

Step 2: Implement Identity & Access

✓ Deploy SSO (Single Sign-On) across all apps
✓ Enforce MFA for every user and service
✓ Implement least privilege access (RBAC/ABAC)
Tools: Okta, Azure AD, Duo Security, JumpCloud

Step 3: Network Segmentation

✓ Create micro-segments for different workloads
✓ Deploy software-defined perimeters (SDP)
✓ Implement network access control (NAC)
Tools: VMware NSX, Cisco ACI, Palo Alto Networks, Illumio

Step 4: Continuous Monitoring

✓ Deploy SIEM for centralized log analysis
✓ Implement behavioral analytics (UEBA)
✓ Monitor all access attempts and anomalies
Tools: Splunk, Elastic SIEM, Microsoft Sentinel, Datadog

Common Pitfall:

Many organizations try to implement Zero Trust all at once and fail. Start with high-value targets (admin access, sensitive data, cloud workloads) and expand gradually. Expect 12-24 months for full enterprise deployment.

Core Principles: Verify explicitly, use least privilege access, and assume breach.

Explore Zero Trust Interactive Lab

🇪🇺 EU Cybersecurity Regulations (2024-2026)

The European Union has introduced several major cybersecurity directives and regulations that organizations must comply with to operate in EU markets.

NIS2 Directive (Network & Information Security 2)

Effective Date: October 2024 (Member states implementation by Oct 2024)

Scope: NIS2 replaces the original NIS Directive and significantly expands cybersecurity requirements across essential and important entities in the EU, covering critical infrastructure, digital services, energy, transport, healthcare, and more.

Key Requirements:

Risk Management: Implement appropriate technical and organizational measures
Incident Reporting: Report significant incidents within 24 hours (early warning), 72 hours (incident notification), and 1 month (final report)
Supply Chain Security: Assess and manage cybersecurity risks of suppliers
Business Continuity: Develop and test incident response, backup, and disaster recovery plans
Vulnerability Management: Regular vulnerability assessments and patching
Encryption & Access Control: Strong authentication and encryption where appropriate
Security Training: Mandatory cybersecurity awareness training

Entities Covered:

Essential Entities: Energy, transport, banking, health, drinking water, digital infrastructure, space
Important Entities: Postal services, waste management, chemicals, food, manufacturing, digital providers

Penalties: Up to €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover for essential entities; €7 million or 1.4% for important entities.

Quick Compliance Checklist for NIS2:

☐ Appoint a designated cybersecurity officer with authority
☐ Implement multi-factor authentication across all systems
☐ Deploy encryption for data at rest and in transit
☐ Establish 24-hour incident notification capability
☐ Create and test business continuity plans
☐ Conduct annual third-party supply chain risk assessments
☐ Implement network segmentation and access controls
☐ Maintain comprehensive security logging (min. 12 months retention)
☐ Provide mandatory cybersecurity training to all employees
☐ Register with your national CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team)

Compliance Steps:

Determine if your organization is in scope
Conduct comprehensive risk assessment
Implement security measures aligned with NIS2
Establish incident reporting procedures
Document and test business continuity plans
Register with national competent authorities

DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)

Effective Date: January 17, 2025

Scope: DORA establishes uniform requirements for digital operational resilience across EU financial services sector, including banks, insurance companies, investment firms, crypto-asset service providers, and critical ICT third-party providers.

DORA Implementation Priority Matrix

🔴 Critical Priority (Complete by Q1 2025):

• Establish ICT risk management framework with board oversight
• Create complete inventory of all ICT assets and dependencies
• Set up incident classification and reporting procedures

🟠 High Priority (Complete by Q2 2025):

• Review and update all third-party ICT contracts with exit strategies
• Implement business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities
• Schedule Threat-Led Penetration Testing (TLPT) for significant entities

🔵 Medium Priority (Complete by Q3 2025):

• Join information sharing arrangements for threat intelligence
• Conduct comprehensive testing of recovery procedures
• Establish vulnerability disclosure program

Five Key Pillars:

1. ICT Risk Management: Comprehensive governance framework for ICT risks
2. Incident Reporting: Mandatory reporting of major ICT incidents to authorities
3. Digital Resilience Testing: Regular testing including threat-led penetration testing (TLPT)
4. Third-Party Risk Management: Oversight of critical ICT service providers
5. Information Sharing: Exchange of cyber threat intelligence

Key Requirements:

Establish ICT risk management framework with board oversight
Maintain comprehensive ICT asset inventory
Implement business continuity and disaster recovery plans
Report major ICT incidents within strict timelines
Conduct advanced testing (TLPT for significant institutions)
Manage and monitor critical third-party ICT providers
Ensure contractual arrangements include exit strategies

Penalties: Up to €10 million or 5% of annual worldwide turnover, plus potential daily penalties for ongoing non-compliance.

Impact on Third Parties: Critical ICT service providers will be subject to direct EU oversight, including audits and penalties. This includes major cloud providers, managed security service providers, and data center operators.

Compliance Roadmap:

Assess current ICT risk management capabilities
Develop comprehensive ICT risk management framework
Identify and classify all ICT third-party dependencies
Establish incident classification and reporting procedures
Plan and schedule resilience testing programs
Review and update third-party contracts

EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)

Expected Enforcement: 2024-2027 (phased implementation)

Scope: The Cyber Resilience Act establishes mandatory cybersecurity requirements for hardware and software products with digital elements placed on the EU market. It aims to ensure products are secure by design and throughout their lifecycle.

Products Covered:

IoT devices (smart home, wearables, industrial sensors)
Software applications and operating systems
Network equipment and routers
Smart vehicles and vehicle components
Industrial control systems
Open-source software placed on market commercially

Key Requirements for Manufacturers:

Secure by Design: Build cybersecurity into product development from inception
Vulnerability Management: Identify, document, and remediate vulnerabilities throughout product lifecycle
Security Updates: Provide security updates for minimum support period (5-10 years depending on product)
Incident Reporting: Report actively exploited vulnerabilities and incidents to ENISA within 24 hours
Documentation: Provide clear security documentation and instructions to users
Conformity Assessment: Undergo third-party assessment for critical products (Class I and II)
CE Marking: Display CE marking indicating CRA compliance

Product Classification:

Class I (Critical): Identity management, network equipment, OS kernels - Stricter requirements
Class II (Important): Browsers, VPNs, firewalls, routers - Moderate requirements
Default Class: All other products - Basic requirements

Penalties: Up to €15 million or 2.5% of global annual turnover for non-compliance.

Essential Security Requirements:

Protection against unauthorized access
Confidentiality and integrity of stored and transmitted data
Minimize attack surface and impact of incidents
Secure by default configurations
Protection against known exploitable vulnerabilities
Logging and monitoring capabilities
Secure software updates and rollback mechanisms

Compliance Timeline:

2024: CRA formally adopted, transition period begins
2026-2027: Full enforcement for new products
Grace Period: Existing products must comply within 2 years

For Organizations: If you manufacture, import, or distribute hardware/software products in the EU, you must ensure CRA compliance. This includes assessing supplier compliance, updating contracts, and establishing vulnerability disclosure programs.

Quick Comparison: NIS2 vs DORA vs CRA

Aspect	NIS2	DORA	CRA
Scope	Essential & important entities	Financial sector	Products with digital elements
Focus	Organizational cybersecurity	Digital operational resilience	Product security lifecycle
Effective	October 2024	January 2025	2026-2027
Max Penalty	€10M or 2%	€10M or 5%	€15M or 2.5%