Re: CIS vs NIST

["Menne, Michael S" <michael.menne () MNSU EDU>]

Chris,
I would recommend looking at any framework (CIS, NIST 800-53/171, NIST CSF) and pair down the list.

Start with understanding the overall framework and whether or not the framework fits given your size. Given you size 
with an approximate enrollment of 1,100, you aren’t going to be able to implement any particular framework fully.

I would recommend a 3 year plan to address the top 5 or 6 things. There are diminishing returns as you continue down 
the path.

#1 on your list should be Patch, Patch, Patch. This protects against 90%+ of all network based attacks out there and is 
relatively easy.  This is low hanging fruit.

Pick 2 things you can accomplish this year. Pick 2 things you can accomplish next year as well as continue to maintain 
your first 2.  Then, pick 2 more things you can do in your 3rd year while maintaining your first 4. After you’ve been 
successful at your first 6, re-evaluate each one of them individually and see if you have the capacity to expand beyond 
the first 6.  Each of these can be done according to the recommendations of a framework of your choosing.

Your list should be based on your own risks. Don’t worry about quantifying your risks. A qualitative assessment with 
some simple numbers would be good enough.  Start tracking every event and start developing some simple metrics in order 
to justify your risk ranking and control priorities.

Michael


Michael Menne, CISSP
Chief Information Security Officer
IT Solutions Information Security
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Phone:  (507) 389-5705
www.mnsu.edu/its/security

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From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv <SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU> On Behalf Of Davis, Chris
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2018 8:50 AM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] CIS vs NIST

We are a very small school and are just getting started with infosec.  We are evaluating frameworks and seem to be 
wavering between CIS and NIST 800-171.

My thoughts are that CIS will be easier for us to implement and manage long-term given our limited resources.  But we 
have compliance issues to consider just like everyone else – HIPAA, PCI, FEPRA, GLBA, etc.

Given those parameters, which do you think would be more successful for us – CIS or 800-171?

Thanks!

Chris

Christopher Davis, Ph.D.
Chief Information Officer
Lourdes University
6832 Convent Blvd | REH 003P | Sylvania, OH 43560
cdavis () lourdes edu<mailto:cdavis () lourdes edu>

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