What is a Compliance Framework?
A compliance framework is a structured approach to meeting regulatory, legal, or contractual obligations. It provides guidelines, controls, and processes that organizations implement to demonstrate adherence to specific standards or requirements.
Types of Frameworks
Regulatory Frameworks Required by law:
- GDPR
- HIPAA
- SOX
- PCI DSS
Industry Standards Voluntary but expected:
- ISO 27001
- SOC 2
- NIST CSF
- CIS Controls
Best Practice Frameworks Guidance-based:
- COBIT
- ITIL
- NIST 800-53
Framework Components
Controls
- Technical controls
- Administrative controls
- Physical controls
Policies
- Written procedures
- Standards
- Guidelines
Processes
- Risk assessment
- Monitoring
- Incident response
- Audit procedures
Evidence
- Documentation
- Audit trails
- Certifications
Implementation Approach
-
Scope Definition
- Identify applicable frameworks
- Define boundaries
-
Gap Assessment
- Current state analysis
- Gap identification
-
Remediation
- Control implementation
- Policy development
-
Validation
- Internal audit
- External assessment
-
Maintenance
- Continuous monitoring
- Regular reviews