📊 Domain Overview
📈 Core Focus Areas
🎯 Learning Objectives
- ✓ Understand major regulatory frameworks
- ✓ Master security control implementation
- ✓ Learn assessment methodologies
- ✓ Apply compliance best practices
📜 Major Regulatory Frameworks
Understanding regulatory requirements is essential for maintaining organizational compliance and avoiding costly penalties. Each framework has specific requirements and applicability.
🔐 GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation
European regulation protecting personal data and privacy. Applies to any organization processing data of EU citizens.
- Requires explicit user consent for data processing
- Supports the "right to be forgotten" and data portability
- Data breaches must be reported within 72 hours
- Fines up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover
🏥 HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
US healthcare regulation protecting patient health information (PHI) in healthcare systems.
- Protects all individually identifiable health information
- Requires access controls, encryption, and audit logs
- Applies to healthcare providers, plans, and clearinghouses
- Business associates must also comply with requirements
💳 PCI-DSS - Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
Security standard for organizations handling credit card transactions and cardholder data.
- 12 security requirements including network security and encryption
- Regular vulnerability scans and penetration testing required
- Strong access control measures and monitoring systems
- Annual compliance validation and quarterly scans
📃 SOX - Sarbanes-Oxley Act
US federal law ensuring accuracy and transparency in corporate financial reporting.
- Requires financial reporting integrity and internal controls
- IT must enforce strict access control and change management
- Annual compliance testing and executive certifications
- Whistleblower protections and audit committee requirements
🏛️ FISMA - Federal Information Security Management Act
US federal law requiring government agencies to follow NIST cybersecurity standards.
- Mandates NIST framework adoption for federal systems
- Continuous monitoring and risk assessment requirements
- Annual security assessments and reporting to OMB
- Applies to contractors and service providers
🔐 Essential Security Frameworks
Security frameworks provide structured approaches to implementing and managing cybersecurity controls. Understanding these frameworks is crucial for effective security program development.
🏛️ Government Standards
NIST SP 800-53
Comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls for federal systems
Learn More →NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Risk-based framework for critical infrastructure protection
Learn More →🌐 International Standards
🛠️ Assessment Tools & Methodologies
Effective compliance requires continuous assessment and monitoring. These tools and techniques help organizations maintain security posture and regulatory compliance.
🔍 Vulnerability Assessment Tools
Automated tools for identifying security weaknesses and compliance gaps in systems and networks.
Nessus
Commercial vulnerability scanner
Qualys
Cloud-based scanning platform
OpenVAS
Open-source vulnerability scanner
⚙️ Configuration Management
Tools and standards for ensuring systems are securely configured and compliant with best practices.
📊 Risk Assessment
Systematic processes for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating organizational risks.
NIST SP 800-30
Guide for conducting risk assessments including threat identification and impact analysis
Access Guide →