What is the Center for Internet Security (CIS)? A Deep Dive into Their Mission and Role in Cybersecurity

In today’s interconnected world, businesses and individuals are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Protecting sensitive information from hackers, malware, and other malicious actors is now more critical than ever. To help combat these growing cybersecurity risks, organizations like the Center for Internet Security (CIS) play a pivotal role. But what exactly is CIS, and how does it help protect against cyber threats?

At NPF Networks, we prioritize keeping you informed about the resources available to bolster your cybersecurity efforts. This blog post provides an in-depth look at CIS, its mission, and its essential contributions to the cybersecurity landscape.

What Is the Center for Internet Security (CIS)?

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 that focuses on improving the security and resilience of the internet. CIS offers a wide range of services, resources, and tools to help individuals, businesses, and governments defend against cyber threats. Their primary goal is to develop and promote best practices in cybersecurity, which can help organizations mitigate the risks posed by cyberattacks.

Headquartered in East Greenbush, New York, CIS is perhaps best known for its CIS Controls and CIS Benchmarks, two key frameworks that provide comprehensive guidance on how to secure systems, networks, and data.

The Mission of CIS

CIS’s mission is to make the connected world a safer place for people, businesses, and governments. It does this by:

1. Developing Cybersecurity Standards: CIS creates and maintains globally recognized best practices, including the CIS Controls and CIS Benchmarks, which are widely used to secure IT systems.
2. Providing Free Resources: CIS offers various tools, services, and resources that are accessible to the public to help organizations of all sizes strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
3. Collaborating with Global Experts: CIS works closely with cybersecurity experts from across the world, including professionals from both the public and private sectors, to ensure that its guidance is up to date and effective against the latest cyber threats.

Key CIS Offerings

The Center for Internet Security offers a variety of valuable tools and resources that help organizations protect against cyber threats. Let’s explore some of their most widely used offerings:

1. CIS Controls

The CIS Controls are a prioritized set of actions designed to mitigate the most common cyber threats. The controls consist of practical, actionable advice that organizations can use to improve their cybersecurity posture. They are broken down into three key implementation groups (IGs) based on the size and risk tolerance of an organization:

These controls are regularly updated to address emerging threats and are widely regarded as a gold standard for cybersecurity management.

2. CIS Benchmarks

The CIS Benchmarks are best-practice guides for securing over 100 different technologies, including operating systems, cloud platforms, and web browsers. They provide detailed, vendor-neutral security configurations that organizations can implement to harden their systems and protect against cyberattacks.

What sets CIS Benchmarks apart is their accessibility. Many of these benchmarks are available to the public for free, making them a go-to resource for IT professionals looking to improve their system security.

3. CIS Hardened Images

CIS also provides CIS Hardened Images, which are virtual machine images pre-configured to meet CIS Benchmark standards. These hardened images are optimized for security and can be deployed in cloud environments like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). By using CIS Hardened Images, organizations can ensure that their cloud infrastructure is protected from the outset, minimizing the risk of vulnerabilities.

4. MS-ISAC

The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) is a division of CIS dedicated to improving the overall cybersecurity posture of the nation’s state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. MS-ISAC offers services such as threat intelligence, incident response, and cybersecurity training to these organizations, helping them protect critical infrastructure and public services.

The Role of CIS in Today’s Cybersecurity Landscape

CIS plays a vital role in shaping the cybersecurity landscape by providing the tools and guidance needed to address modern threats. As a nonprofit organization, CIS is uniquely positioned to offer unbiased, vendor-neutral advice, which makes it a trusted resource across various sectors.

Additionally, CIS’s collaborative approach ensures that its offerings are informed by input from a diverse range of experts. This collaboration leads to practical and effective solutions for improving cybersecurity, from small businesses to global enterprises and governments.

At NPF Networks, we often recommend CIS resources to our clients as part of their cybersecurity strategy. Whether it’s adopting the CIS Controls, leveraging CIS Benchmarks, or deploying CIS Hardened Images in the cloud, these tools can make a significant impact on an organization’s ability to defend against cyberattacks.

At NPF Networks, we are committed to helping businesses in the Denver area stay informed and protected. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your cybersecurity, we recommend exploring the vast range of tools and resources that CIS offers. Whether you need guidance on implementing the CIS Controls or securing your cloud infrastructure, we’re here to help you make the most of these valuable assets.

Stay ahead of the curve and take advantage of CIS’s trusted solutions to protect your business from the dangers of the digital world.

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For more information on how NPF Networks can assist with your cybersecurity needs, feel free to reach out to our Denver-based team at 303-778-9499!