Cybersecurity Regulations vs. Cybersecurity Frameworks
Cybersecurity regulations and frameworks are similar but distinct concepts in the cybersecurity industry.
Cybersecurity regulations are legally enforced rules set by government authorities or regulatory bodies, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
These regulations are often industry-specific, and require organizations to adhere to certain cybersecurity standards and practices. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, fines, or legal action.
In contrast, cybersecurity frameworks consist of voluntary guidelines and best practices created by cybersecurity experts and organizations to help enhance cybersecurity posture. Examples include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework, CIS Controls, and ISO/IEC 27001.
Organizations often choose to adopt these frameworks to demonstrate a commitment to cybersecurity and improve their security measures.
Why is MFA a requirement in many compliance standards?
By requiring more than just a password, MFA reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if one factor is compromised. MFA has been shown to reduce cyber attacks caused by account compromise by up to 99.9%.
This extra security measure is critical in protecting sensitive data, such as personal health information (PHI) or financial records, which are often targeted in cyberattacks. Cybersecurity regulations have fueled a more widespread adoption of MFA, but many organizations are adding it voluntarily as it is an easy way to significantly increase identity and access management-based security.
Which compliance standards require or recommend MFA?
Below are some common cybersecurity compliance standards, and an overview of their MFA-specific requirements.
HIPAA MFA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 1996 is a piece of United States federal legislation. It requires healthcare organizations, including providers, plans, clearing houses, and business partners to comply with a series of regulations around the protection and security of data.
HIPAA includes guidelines around the usage of MFA as part of the Security Rule, introduced in 2003. MFA is used commonly to meet HIPAA’s access control and authentication security requirements.
Learn more about HIPAA MFA
SOX MFA
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is a U.S. federal law designed to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate financial reporting. While SOX does not explicitly mandate the use of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), implementing MFA is considered a best practice for ensuring compliance with the act’s requirements for data security and access controls.
GLBA MFA
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) is a federal law that mandates financial institutions to protect the privacy and security of customers’ personal information.
To comply with GLBA, organizations must implement robust safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. One key requirement under GLBA is the use of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).
PCI DSS MFA
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards designed to protect cardholder data and ensure secure transactions.
To comply with PCI DSS, organizations that handle credit card information must implement strong access control measures, including Multi-factor Authentication (MFA). PCI DSS specifically requires MFA for any individual accessing cardholder data environments remotely or within the network.
NERC CIP MFA
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) standards are designed to protect the security and reliability of the North American bulk power system.
One of the key components of NERC CIP is the implementation of strict access controls to safeguard critical cyber assets. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) is a crucial requirement under NERC CIP, particularly for remote access to critical systems.
SOC MFA
The System and Organization Controls (SOC) framework provides standards for managing and securing data, particularly in service organizations that handle sensitive client information. SOC 2, which focuses on security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, is particularly relevant for ensuring robust access controls.
As part of these controls, SOC 2 requires the implementation of Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) to verify user identities and prevent unauthorized access to critical systems and data.
ISO MFA
The ISO/IEC 27001 standard is a globally recognized framework for information security management systems (ISMS), offering comprehensive guidelines for protecting sensitive data.
While ISO 27001 does not mandate specific technologies, it strongly recommends the implementation of robust access control measures, including Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), as it aligns with ISO 27001’s principles of minimizing security risks and safeguarding information assets.
