Picture this scenario: You are responsible for managing the cloud infrastructure of your organization. You have loads of responsibilities, including keeping the cloud secure and ensuring that the organization adheres to the various cloud compliance regulations. So, what do you do? You implement a cloud governance framework.
A cloud governance framework helps your organization manage the risks associated with cloud computing. It also establishes a set of policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that your organization adheres to industry best practices and regulations. In this blog post, we compare the most popular cloud governance frameworks, so you know which one to implement.
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) framework
The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) has developed a cloud governance framework called the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM). The CCM maps Cloud Security Alliance controls to major compliance frameworks such as ISO, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
The CCM's framework is based on a tiered approach to governance, where the level of control increases as the sensitivity of the data increases. The CCM has 16 control domains, including compliance, data security, and infrastructure security.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a cloud governance framework that focuses on risks, governance, and compliance. The NIST framework is based on three parts: the core, implementation tiers, and profiles.
The core consists of five functions that define the basic cybersecurity activities that organizations should pursue. Implementation tiers are used to represent the level of rigor and sophistication in cybersecurity practices. Profiles are used to represent the organizations' unique cybersecurity requirements based on their regulatory, risk, and business needs.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) framework
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed the ISO 27001 framework. The ISO 27001 framework is a comprehensive framework for information security management that provides a systematic approach that organizations can use to identify and manage risks.
The ISO 27001 framework provides a set of controls that organizations can use to protect their information assets. The framework covers all aspects of information security, including physical, technical, and administrative security measures.
Comparison
| Framework | Total control domains | Focus | Created by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) framework | 16 | Compliance, data security, and infrastructure security | Cloud Security Alliance |
| National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework | 5 | Risks, governance, and compliance | National Institute of Standards and Technology |
| International Organization for Standardization (ISO) framework | 14 | Comprehensive framework for information security | International Organization for Standardization |
As we can see from the comparison table above, each framework is designed to meet specific cloud governance requirements. Choosing the right framework for your organization depends on your unique business needs and cloud governance objectives.
Conclusion
Effective cloud governance is vital for a secure and efficient cloud environment. Whether you choose the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) framework, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework or International Organization for Standardization (ISO) framework, you will be on the right path to securing your organization's cloud infrastructure.
Remember, a cloud governance framework does not guarantee complete cloud security. It is essential to combine the framework with other cloud security measures such as access control, data encryption, and network security.