Everybody recognises the importance of cybersecurity in the modern world. However, there are still lots of organisations that aren’t implementing the right security measures.
One of the first steps to protecting your business is choosing a cybersecurity framework, and we’re going to have a look at why this is so important.
What is a Cyber Security Framework?
A cyber security framework is simply a set of best practices an organisation should follow to limit its cybersecurity risk.
Every organisation in the world, whether big or small, faces some level of cybersecurity threat. We see this every day through hacks and data leaks that cost businesses money and can seriously tarnish their reputations. In Australia, the OAIC received 1,205 data breach notifications in 2025, the highest number it has recorded and an 8% increase on 2024.
You can’t eliminate cybersecurity risk altogether, but you can manage it by putting the right protocols in place. A good cybersecurity framework helps organisations to do this, limiting risk, and putting systems in place to respond to cyber-attacks.
Why is a Cybersecurity Framework so Important?
The modern world is reliant on the internet. Virtually no organisation can function without being connected. While this brings many benefits, it also opens businesses up to risk.
Those risks aren’t limited to the business itself either. They can affect employees, customers, and many more loosely connected entities such as suppliers.
When a major cybersecurity breach happens, it can have far-reaching consequences.
This is one of the reasons why a cybersecurity framework is so important. It’s not just about protecting your own organisation; it’s also about ensuring the people you do business with are protected too.
It’s easy to think a business is too small to be targeted by cybercriminals, or too big to be infiltrated, but it happens every day. If you’re not being proactive and actively following the right cybersecurity frameworks, then your cybersecurity risk is greatly increased.
What is Cybersecurity Compliance?
Cybersecurity compliance is an organisation’s ability to show that it’s met certain cybersecurity standards required by a regulatory authority. It shows that an organisation has taken the necessary steps to protect its customers and also sets out the steps that are to be taken in the event of a breach.
It’s like a vote of confidence, and it should serve to reassure customers and other organisations you do business with.
This isn’t to say your business is now risk-free.
Security breaches happen, even to organisations with the most robust cybersecurity protocols. However, cybersecurity compliance shows that you limit your risk and have systems in place to respond in the event of a security breach.
Different Cybersecurity Frameworks
We’ve looked at the commonly asked question of “what is a cybersecurity framework,” and talked about its importance, but what frameworks should you be looking at? In Australia, these international frameworks often sit alongside local requirements such as ASD’s Essential Eight and, for APRA-regulated entities, CPS 234.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The NIST cybersecurity framework was originally designed, when it was first released in 2014, to protect critical infrastructure such as power plants and dams from cybersecurity attacks. As you can imagine with infrastructure that’s essential to national security, this framework is pretty robust!
Robust is good though, and the NIST cybersecurity framework can be adapted to any organisation. Version 2.0, released in February 2024, is explicitly designed for organisations in every sector and of every size.
At its heart, CSF 2.0 has six core functions:
- Govern: Establish, communicate and monitor the organisation’s cybersecurity risk management strategy, expectations and policy.
- Identify: Identify critical assets and the cybersecurity risks they face.
- Protect: Implement policies to help protect those assets.
- Detect: Implement the necessary operations to detect cybersecurity breaches.
- Respond: Create protocols for responding to cybersecurity incidents.
- Recover: Follow steps to recover normal business operations.
Together, these functions help businesses to limit cybersecurity risks and minimise the damage done when an attack does occur.
ISO 27001 Cybersecurity Framework
ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised standard in cybersecurity. The current edition is ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
It mandates that organisations should have an information security management system in place and implement coherent and comprehensive security controls. The right controls should mitigate identified security risks and help protect organisations and their customers.
The ISO cybersecurity framework also requires an ongoing risk management process and continual improvement of the information security management system.
In order to be certified, an organisation must be audited by an accredited certification body against the requirements of the standard.
CIS Cybersecurity Framework
The CIS cybersecurity framework, the CIS Critical Security Controls, is maintained by the Center for Internet Security, a not-for-profit formed in the early 2000s, with input from a community of expert volunteers. It brings together experts from a range of backgrounds to create a comprehensive framework.
Its current version, v8.1, offers 18 regularly updated controls, prioritised into three Implementation Groups (IG1 to IG3), starting with IG1, the “essential cyber hygiene” every organisation should apply.
This is ideal for businesses looking to take their first steps with a cybersecurity framework as it allows them to build incrementally. It can also coexist with other common frameworks like NIST, and v8.1 maps its controls to NIST CSF 2.0.
Conclusion: What is a Cybersecurity Framework?
A cybersecurity framework is designed to help protect organisations from cybersecurity risks.
It’s an important tool for any modern business because cybersecurity risks are everywhere. If you’re not putting the right practices in place to help protect you and your customers, then it can lead to severe consequences for your business.
We see stories about high-profile security breaches on the news all the time, and it’s a poignant reminder that these cybersecurity frameworks are critical.
Let our team of experts ensure your organisation is in compliance with the right cybersecurity standards.
Contact StickmanCyber today to learn more about our Compliance & GRC services.
Frequently asked questions
What are the components of a cybersecurity framework?
Each cybersecurity framework works slightly differently, but they’re all broken down into a number of component parts. For example, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 is broken down into six functions: govern, identify, protect, detect, respond and recover. ISO 27001 combines management system requirements with a set of security controls.
How do you make a cybersecurity framework?
Rather than creating a brand new cybersecurity framework, most businesses will use an existing framework to build their security practices around. There are many different ones to choose from, so it’s important to identify the one that best fits your needs.
Which cybersecurity frameworks are used in Australia?
Australian organisations commonly use ASD’s Essential Eight, a framework of eight mitigation strategies developed by the Australian Signals Directorate, along with ASD’s Information Security Manual (ISM), ISO/IEC 27001 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. APRA-regulated entities must also meet the information security requirements of CPS 234. The right mix depends on your sector, regulators and customer contracts.
Is the Essential Eight mandatory in Australia?
Not for most private businesses. ASD’s Essential Eight maturity model FAQ says Maturity Level Two is a mandatory baseline for non-corporate Commonwealth entities subject to the Protective Security Policy Framework. Other organisations may need it because of a contract or regulator. ASD suggests Maturity Level One may suit small to medium enterprises, Level Two large enterprises and Level Three critical infrastructure providers.
Do critical infrastructure entities have to follow a cybersecurity framework?
Many do. Under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, responsible entities for certain critical infrastructure assets must keep a critical infrastructure risk management program. The CIRMP Rules require them to comply with a recognised framework, such as AS ISO/IEC 27001, the Essential Eight at Maturity Level One, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, C2M2 or the AESCSF, or an equivalent.
How long does ISO 27001 certification last?
An ISO 27001 certificate is typically valid for three years. During that time, the certification body carries out annual surveillance audits, and the organisation must pass a recertification audit before the certificate expires. Certificates issued under the older 2013 edition ended when the transition to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 closed on 31 October 2025.
