TL;DR
- CIS Controls help SMBs reduce cyber risks by giving them a structured, practical way to strengthen security despite limited IT resources.
- The CIS Controls framework provides globally recognized, measurable safeguards maintained by the Center for Internet Security to help organizations defend against common cyberattacks.
- The CIS Controls structure includes 18 controls, actionable safeguards, and three implementation groups (IG1–IG3) that guide organizations based on resources and risk.
- CIS Controls benefits SMBs by offering clear priorities, quick improvements, cost savings, and reduced exposure to frequent threats.
- Key CIS Controls for SMBs include asset inventory, data protection, access control, risk management, and ongoing employee security training.
- SMBs can implement CIS Controls effectively by starting with IG1, using affordable tools, conducting assessments, and documenting their progress.
- Adopting CIS Controls improves resilience, reduces breach costs, and strengthens customer trust in the business.
For Seamless Onboarding
How CIS Controls Help Small Businesses Reduce Cyber Risks
Small and medium-sized businesses are facing a fast-evolving cyber threat landscape, but they lack the large information technology teams that big companies have. Therefore, in this scenario, implementing strong security protocols is difficult.
According to NAVEX data, around 61% of cyberattacks in 2023 targeted small and medium businesses. This highlights how vulnerable they are and why structured security frameworks are essential.
In this context, CIS controls provide a significant framework that helps smaller companies reduce risk through effective mechanisms.
What the CIS Controls Framework Is
The CIS Controls framework is a globally recognized, significant set of cybersecurity practices designed to help organizations defend against prevalent cyberattacks. The Center for Internet Security is a non-profit organization maintaining the CIS control framework. These are not like other advisory security bodies; instead, they are measurable, concrete safeguards that businesses can implement in their audit controls. That is why it can serve well to enable SMBs to enhance security, which may begin small and be improved every day in a structured way in the long run.
How the CIS Controls Are Structured
A hierarchical framework is applied while building CIS critical security controls:
- 18 Top-Level Controls: These are large cybersecurity domains that include access control, data protection, and inventory control.
- Sub-controls (Safeguards): Under each safeguard, security is controlled through actionable steps that guide implementation.
- Implementation Tiers: The framework explains three implementation groups that help companies understand which safeguards to prioritize when applying for the first time, based on resources and risk.
- IG1 is convenient for small and medium businesses with limited employees, limited IT security executives, and low to moderate data sensitivity.
- IG2 is based on IG1 for risk-prone organizations.
- IG3 involves all the controls for organizations with complicated cybersecurity needs.
Thus, IG1 is specifically designed for SMBs with minimal service security needs, and standard hardware and software can be used to implement it.
Why CIS Controls Matter for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses?
For small and medium businesses, CIS controls offer various advantages:
- Clear Priorities: These controls help SMBs focus on the most important security actions, removing confusion caused by numerous frameworks and guidelines.
- Fast Improvement: Many IG1 safeguards can be implemented relatively quickly and provide significant improvements to building a security posture.
- Cost-Effective: With a proper understanding of the cost analysis of the CIS Critical Security Controls, implementing IG1 can support commercial tools, reducing the organization’s total budget by approximately 20%.
- Minimized Exposure: CIS Controls address the most common attack vectors, helping SMBs reduce the risk of malware infections, phishing attempts, credential theft, and other frequent threats.
Key CIS Controls Every SMB Should Prioritize
Some CIS controls for better SMB security are:
1. Enterprise Inventory Assets Control
A complete, improved asset inventory could be useful in identifying unauthorized devices that might be used as a launch pad by the cybercriminals. Besides device inventory, software inventory should also be maintained through regular upgrades and removal of unused software.
2. Data Protection
This control is highly beneficial because it ensures cybersecurity for SMB. Data encryption and ensuring backups are also some protective measures that can be used to ensure that essential information is not leaked in the case of a security breach.
3. Account Management and Access Control
Implementing a least-privilege access model can help SMBs ensure that users access their portal only when absolutely required. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical accounts is also highly advisable.
4. Continuous Risk Management
For SMBs to strengthen security, establishing a vulnerability management process that supports regular, active scanning is important. Automatic vulnerability scanners can detect software vulnerabilities.
5. Security Awareness and Skills Training
Every small and medium-sized business needs to run a security awareness program to educate its staff about emerging server security threats, so they can take steps to reduce their occurrence.
How SMBs Can Implement CIS Controls Effectively?
It may be challenging for small businesses to implement CIS controls initially. However, here are some steps to follow, recommended by our experts at Imagine IT:
1. Conducting CIS Assessment
Conducting a CIS assessment for the 56 IG1 safeguards is a practical starting point for small and medium-sized businesses. IG1 is specifically designed for organizations with limited resources and does not require dedicated in-house security specialists. With the help of CIS-provided tools, worksheets, and automated assessment platforms, SMBs can understand their current security posture and identify priority safeguards.
2. Applying Affordable Tools to Automate Key Safeguards
With cost-effective patch management tools, basic endpoint protection suites, and asset inventory platforms, small and medium-sized businesses can enhance their security operations. These tools automate routine defences, reduce manual workload, and help protect against common cyber threats.
Monitoring and Documenting Policies
It is beneficial for SMBs to avoid relying on a single data storage location and ensure that sensitive information is stored in multiple encrypted and access-controlled environments. To maintain progress, it is essential to track each implemented safeguard, document policies, and review gaps regularly. As the organization matures, it may become suitable to move towards IG2 or IG3, which offer more advanced protections.
Business Benefits of Adopting CIS Controls
Implementing CIS controls is not about avoiding risk, but about delivering long-term business value.
By addressing the most significant risks, smaller and medium-sized businesses can reduce the chance of an expensive security breach.
For better resilience, continuous risk management, secure configurations, and adequate backups can help businesses recover quickly from incidents.
The incorporation of cybersecurity solutions for SMBs can encourage customers to trust them and improve credibility.
For Seamless Onboarding
Conclusion
With the adoption of CIS controls, SMBs are empowering themselves by aligning their security practices with emerging cyber threats and upgrading their security protection. By working with trusted cybersecurity solution providers, small businesses can efficiently improve their service defence posture without compromising their budget.
For expert support, Imagine IT offers reliable, comprehensive cybersecurity managed services in Garden City, Sterling, Zeeland, Bloomington, and Wichita. Our experts help SMBs implement effective safeguards so they can operate with confidence and stay ahead of emerging threats. Connect with us today to build a stronger, more resilient security foundation for your organization.
Corporate Headquarters: 952-905-3700
Toll Free: 866-978-3600
FAQs
Q1. How long will it take an SMB to implement CIS IG1 controls fully?
Ans. Most SMBs can implement CIS IG1 controls within 3 to 6 months, depending on their current security posture and resource availability.
Q2. Are CIS Controls mandatory for compliance with any regulations?
Ans. No, CIS Controls are not mandatory under any specific regulation or law. They are a voluntary, best-practice framework designed to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
Q3. What tools help automate CIS Controls for small businesses?
Ans. The tools will include asset inventory, MFA solutions, and a patch management system.
Q4. Can CIS Controls replace the need for a complete cybersecurity program?
Ans. No, CIS Controls cannot fully replace a complete cybersecurity program. They provide a strong foundational framework focused on essential safeguards, but they do not cover every element required for a comprehensive security strategy.
Q5. How often should SMBs reassess their CIS Controls implementation?
Ans. Enterprises need to examine their implementation every 1 year to address emerging risks and changes in cybersecurity.
