Cybersecurity Frameworks: Top 5 Frameworks to Know in 2026

Your company just hired employees in five new countries. Each one needs a laptop and access to your systems. But which security standards should you follow? What do auditors want to see? How do you prove to clients that you take security seriously?

These questions matter more than ever. Cybercrime damages will hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. As threats grow, companies turn to cybersecurity frameworks for help managing cyber risk.

Frameworks give you a roadmap. They help you manage and reduce cybersecurity risks, meet compliance requirements, and show customers you take security seriously. For teams spread across countries, frameworks offer a consistent way to securely manage devices, data, and access.

This article covers the five most widely adopted cybersecurity frameworks and when you need each one.

What are cybersecurity frameworks?

Cybersecurity frameworks are structured guidelines that help you manage cyber risk and protect digital assets. Think of them as blueprints for building security programs.

Frameworks solve a basic problem: cybersecurity is complex. Without frameworks, every company builds security from scratch. They miss critical protections and struggle to prove their security works.

Most frameworks cover five core functions:

• Identify: Know your assets, risks, and weak points
• Protect: Secure systems and data
• Detect: Watch for security problems
• Respond: Act when incidents happen
• Recover: Get back to normal after attacks

These identify, protect, detect, respond and recover functions create a complete cycle. You'll see these elements in NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and other frameworks.

Here's the difference between frameworks, standards, and regulations:

• Frameworks give flexible guidance you can adapt
• Standards set specific requirements you must meet for certification
• Regulations are legal requirements with penalties if you don't comply

Many companies use frameworks to meet both standards and regulations.

For remote teams, frameworks help with unique challenges. They cover securing devices outside your office, managing access across time zones, protecting data on home networks, and keeping security consistent no matter where employees work.

See also: Endpoint Security Guide: How to Protect Remote Teams & Devices

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF)

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is the most widely adopted approach to managing cybersecurity risk in the US. Created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST CSF gives you a flexible way to build security that works for any size company.

The framework uses five core functions: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover. Each function breaks down into smaller parts that tell you what to achieve, not how to do it. This flexibility lets you adapt it to your industry and company size.

NIST CSF started for critical infrastructure like power plants and banks. But companies across all industries now use it because it's practical and focused on results.

What NIST CSF helps with:

• Risk management: Start by knowing what you need to protect and what threatens it
• Compliance: Many regulations map to NIST CSF, so one framework can satisfy multiple requirements
• Vendor checks: Use NIST CSF language when evaluating if suppliers have good security
• Measuring progress: The framework shows your security maturity level

For remote teams, NIST CSF covers access control, data security, monitoring, and incident response no matter where employees work. When your team spans countries, NIST CSF helps keep security consistent everywhere.

The framework got a major update in 2024. Version 2.0 added supply chain security guidance and made it easier for small and medium companies to use.

50% of US organizations now use NIST CSF, making it the standard for American businesses.

See also: How to Create a Secure IT Policy: A Complete Guide

ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27001 is the international cybersecurity standard for information security management systems. Unlike NIST CSF's flexible guidance, ISO 27001 has specific requirements you must meet to get certified. This makes it the gold standard for proving security to global clients.

The standard gives you a systematic way to manage sensitive information. You build an information security management system (ISMS) that finds risks, adds controls, checks if they work, and improves over time.

ISO 27001 covers 93 security controls across 14 areas: access control, encryption, physical security, incident management, and more. You pick which controls fit your company based on your risks.

Who needs ISO 27001?

Companies doing business internationally often need this certification. European clients frequently require it. Government contracts may demand it. If you handle sensitive customer data, ISO 27001 shows you take security seriously.

Getting certified involves:

1. Building your ISMS according to requirements
2. Adding the security controls you chose
3. Documenting all your policies and procedures
4. Passing an audit by a certified auditor
5. Keeping up with annual audits

This process is more work than voluntary frameworks, but certification carries real weight. When prospects ask about security, ISO 27001 certification gives them a clear answer.

For remote teams, ISO 27001 requires clear policies for device management, access control, encryption, and monitoring that work anywhere. You also need regular risk checks to catch new threats as your team grows.

The 2022 update added controls for cloud security, mobile device management, and remote work.

See also: How to Improve IT Compliance with Automated Device Management

CIS Controls

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls give you a practical, prioritized list of security actions. Unlike big frameworks that can overwhelm small teams, CIS Controls focus on stopping the most common attacks.

The framework has 18 controls organized into three groups based on your company's size and resources. Group 1 covers basic security every company needs. Groups 2 and 3 add more advanced protections as you grow.

This makes CIS Controls easy to use. Instead of hundreds of possible security steps, it tells you exactly where to start. The first six controls alone stop 85% of cyber attacks, giving small teams big security wins from focused work.

Key controls include:

• Know what devices and software you have
• Protect your data
• Set up devices securely
• Manage user accounts and access
• Fix security holes quickly
• Track what happens in your systems
• Protect email and web browsers
• Block malware
• Back up your data
• Train employees on security
• Test your defenses

Each control tells you exactly what to do, not just what outcome to achieve. This makes it actionable instead of theoretical.

For remote teams, CIS Controls cover the basics that matter most: knowing what devices exist, setting them up securely, and controlling who accesses what. These fundamentals are critical for distributed teams because you can't rely on office security or network boundaries.

The framework works well for small and medium businesses without security specialists. You can do foundational controls using common tools and simple procedures. As you grow, you add more advanced controls.

CIS gives you free tools including setup guides and assessment checklists. This makes it the practical choice for building security from scratch.

See also: How to Cut Device Security Costs and Risks with Mobile Device Management

COBIT

COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies) looks at the bigger picture. It covers IT governance alongside cybersecurity. Created by ISACA, COBIT helps you align IT with business goals while managing risks and meeting compliance requirements.

Where other frameworks focus on technical security, COBIT addresses how you make decisions about technology. It helps you measure IT performance and make sure technology investments support business goals. This makes it popular with executives who need to oversee IT strategy.

COBIT organizes IT into five areas:

• Evaluate, Direct and Monitor: Set direction and watch performance
• Align, Plan and Organize: Connect IT plans with business goals
• Build, Acquire and Implement: Develop and roll out IT solutions
• Deliver, Service and Support: Run IT services day to day
• Monitor, Evaluate and Assess: Check performance and compliance

The framework has 40 goals covering risk management, change control, business continuity, and more. Each goal includes metrics showing if you're meeting expectations.

COBIT's strength is connecting technical work to business results. It helps you answer executive questions like "Is our security spending enough?" or "What happens if systems fail?" It makes technology risk clear for non-technical leaders.

For remote teams, COBIT helps with managing IT across borders. It covers vendor management (key when using global device suppliers), service delivery (keeping IT support consistent across time zones), and compliance tracking (following rules in multiple countries).

Most companies use COBIT alongside technical frameworks. You might use NIST CSF or ISO 27001 for security controls while using COBIT to guide IT decisions and report to leadership.

COBIT works best for companies with complex IT across multiple regions, significant IT spending, or regulated industries requiring board-level IT oversight.

See also: IT Compliance Audit: Practical Checklist for IT Managers

HITRUST CSF

The HITRUST Common Security Framework combines multiple frameworks into one model. Think of it as a meta-framework that helps you satisfy many requirements at once instead of running separate programs for each standard.

HITRUST combines requirements from:

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• ISO/IEC 27001
• HIPAA and HITECH
• PCI DSS
• FedRAMP
• State privacy laws
• International regulations

This matters because most companies face multiple compliance rules. A healthcare company might need HIPAA compliance, ISO 27001 certification, and state privacy laws. Instead of three separate programs, HITRUST gives you unified controls that satisfy all three.

The framework has 156 controls across 14 categories. Controls scale based on your company size, regulations, and risk level. Small companies use baseline controls while large, high-risk companies use stricter versions.

HITRUST certification involves a thorough third-party assessment. The assessment shows which standards your controls satisfy. One certification can replace multiple separate audits, saving time and money.

Healthcare companies started using HITRUST because it handled HIPAA's complexity while adding better security practices. Now it's expanded beyond healthcare as other regulated industries see the value.

Who uses HITRUST:

• Healthcare providers managing patient information
• Business partners handling healthcare data
• Financial services with multiple regulations
• Technology vendors serving regulated industries
• Any company wanting security that satisfies multiple standards at once

For remote teams in regulated industries, HITRUST covers securing operations while meeting strict compliance. It includes mobile device management, remote access controls, encryption, and incident response for global teams.

The certification process takes 6-12 months. Despite the work, many find it valuable because one certification proves compliance across multiple frameworks.

See also: IT's Biggest Compliance Gaps: Are You Breaking the Law Without Realizing It?

Honorable mention: Zero Trust Framework

Zero Trust is an emerging approach to managing cybersecurity risk. It's different from traditional frameworks. Instead of giving you security controls, Zero Trust describes a philosophy: never trust, always verify.

The core idea challenges old network security that trusted users inside your network. Zero Trust assumes attacks will happen and treats every access request as potentially dangerous. Users must prove who they are for each resource they access, not just once when logging in.

Zero Trust includes:

• Identity checks: Strong authentication for every user, device, and app
• Least privilege: Give minimum permissions needed for each task
• Micro-segmentation: Divide networks into small zones with separate controls
• Continuous monitoring: Watch and log all traffic, even internal
• Assume breach: Design systems expecting attackers are already inside

For remote teams, Zero Trust fits perfectly. When employees work from home, coffee shops, and coworking spaces, old perimeter security doesn't work. Zero Trust protects resources no matter where users work because it checks every access attempt.

Major tech vendors and government agencies including CISA recommend Zero Trust. It gains popularity because it handles modern threats better than perimeter-focused models.

However, Zero Trust isn't a framework you implement like NIST CSF or ISO 27001. It's an approach that influences how you design systems within whatever framework you use. Companies typically adopt Zero Trust principles while implementing NIST CSF, ISO 27001, or other frameworks.

Think of Zero Trust as the philosophy guiding your security design, and frameworks like NIST CSF as the structure organizing your program.

See also: ZTNA vs VPN: A Practical Buyer's Guide for Global Teams

How to choose the right framework

Picking the right cybersecurity framework depends on your industry, location, customers, and security experience. Most companies do best with one main framework plus other standards as needed.

Key factors:

• Rules: If regulations require specific frameworks, your choice is made
• Location: International work often needs ISO 27001. US companies use NIST CSF
• Experience: Just starting? Use CIS Controls. Established? Try ISO 27001 or COBIT
• Customers: What do buyers and partners require?

Framework selection guide

Implementation approaches

You don't need to pick one framework forever. Common paths:

1. Start with CIS Controls Group 1, then get ISO 27001 certified as you grow
2. Use NIST CSF for security work while using COBIT for executive reporting
3. Build one security program that covers multiple frameworks at once

Most frameworks overlap. They address the same basic needs: managing assets, controlling access, encrypting data, monitoring systems, responding to incidents. Work you do for one often satisfies others.

For remote teams, pick frameworks that handle device management, remote access, and global compliance. NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls all work well. Zero Trust principles fit with any framework.

Frameworks keep evolving. NIST CSF added governance in 2024. ISO 27001 added cloud controls in 2022. Pick frameworks that adapt to new threats.

See also: How to Create a Secure IT Environment For Hybrid Teams: A Complete Guide

Protect your distributed team with Deel IT

Cybersecurity frameworks give you the structure for managing cyber risk. Deel IT helps you meet framework requirements through complete device and security management.

Our platform supports key controls:

• Asset management: Track all devices worldwide (meets NIST CSF and ISO 27001)
• Secure setup: Deploy devices with standard security settings (matches CIS Controls)
• Endpoint protection: Protect devices everywhere with threat detection
• Access control: Manage device access and enforce security policies
• Compliance tracking: Keep detailed logs and security records

Deel IT combines device management with security. When auditors ask about device security or endpoint protection, our platform provides proof of compliance.

From secure device setup in 130+ countries to automated security policies and 24/7 support, Deel IT handles the security work that frameworks outline.

See how Deel IT helps distributed teams meet cybersecurity framework requirements.