There are several cybersecurity frameworks available, each with its unique strengths. But let’s go straight to the point and just say that the NIST security framework is my favorite and is currently what I think is the best for freelancers and small online home business owners.
Best Cybersecurity Framework for Online Freelancers and Small Online Home Businesses
| Criteria | Why NIST CSF is the Best Choice for a Small Online Home Businesses and Freelancers |
|---|---|
| User Friendliness | The NIST CSF is designed to be understandable and applicable for businesses of all sizes and types. It uses plain language, and it contains the Cybersecurity Framework Core, a set of cybersecurity activities, desired outcomes, and applicable references that are common across sectors. |
| Scalability | The NIST CSF is designed to be flexible so you can scale it to align with the size and complexity of your business. Small businesses can use it to adequately protect their business without overly complex processes. |
| Adoption | The NIST CSF is widely adopted by a range of businesses and sectors, which means there are extensive resources and communities that a small business can tap into for support. |
| Flexibility | The NIST CSF doesn’t mandate specific controls or solutions, instead offering a strategic approach. This allows small businesses to customize their cybersecurity program to their specific needs, rather than having to conform to a rigid set of protocols. |
| Guidance on Implementation | The NIST CSF provides clear guidance on how to prioritize and manage cybersecurity risks, making it a comprehensive tool for small, less-experienced businesses. |
Remember, the decision on which framework you choose to adopt should be based on the specific needs of your business. No “one size fits all” path leads to cybersecurity maturity.
Now, let’s have a look at other cybersecurity frameworks alongside NIST and see how they compare.
Cybersecurity Frameworks for Small Online Home Businesses
| Criteria | NIST CSF | ISO 27001 | CIS CSC | Secure Controls Framework (SCF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Friendliness | Uses plain language and designed to be understandable for businesses of all sizes. | May require some understanding of cybersecurity concepts and industry jargon. | Uses simple language and designed to be accessible to a wide range of users. | SCF is designed to bridge the gap between technical controls and business functions and can be more technical in nature. |
| Scalability | Extremely scalable and can be implemented as needed. | Highly scalable but can be more complex, often requiring professional assistance. | Can scale but is more often used as a foundation, not a complete solution. | SCF is scalable and offers 800+ controls for business to consider, based on their specific needs. |
| Adoption | Widely used across various types of organizations and industries. | Broadly adopted internationally and recognized. | Well-regarded but not as widely adopted as NIST or ISO. | While not as well-known or widespread, SCF is growing in recognition and usage. |
| Flexibility | Doesn’t mandate specific controls or solutions, offering a strategic approach instead. | Based on establishing processes rather than prescribing specific tools or methods. | Outlines a set of best practices and controls, making it less flexible. | Highly flexible; SCF offers a crosswalk capability to map its controls to other existing cybersecurity frameworks. |
| Guidance on Implementation | Provides clear guidance on how to prioritize and manage cybersecurity risks. | Provides a detailed plan for establishing and maintaining an information security management system. | Offers detailed instructions for implementing its controls. | SCF doesn’t give step-by-step guidance on implementation but provides extensive controls information to help businesses build their cybersecurity posture. |
The train of thought applied above will also share the same lines below when applied to online freelancers.
Cybersecurity Frameworks for Freelancers
| Criteria | NIST CSF | ISO 27001 | CIS CSC | Secure Controls Framework (SCF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Friendliness | Uses plain language and designed to be understandable for businesses of all sizes. | Requires understanding of cybersecurity concepts but is industry standard. | Provides clear and simple language for wide usage but may be more basic for large organizations. | SCF is designed to bridge the gap between technical controls and business functions, making it suitable for large organizations. |
| Scalability | Highly scalable, suitable for large organizations. | Extremely scalable and designed for use in complex organizations. | Suitable for basic to intermediate level; may need additional frameworks for large organizations. | Highly scalable and offers a comprehensive set of controls suitable for complex organizations. |
| Adoption | Widely used across various industries and organization sizes. | Internationally recognized and broadly adopted by large organizations. | Adopted by some organizations, but not as ubiquitous as NIST or ISO. | Growing recognition and usage, especially in complex organizations. |
| Flexibility | Provides strategic approach without mandating specific controls. | Based on establishing processes rather than specific solutions, providing flexibility. | Offers best practices and controls, may be less flexible for large organizations. | Highly flexible; offers crosswalk capability to map its controls to other frameworks. |
| Guidance on Implementation | Provides clear guidance on how to prioritize and manage cybersecurity risks. | Provides a detailed plan for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an information security management system. | Offers detailed instructions for the implementation of its controls. | Doesn’t provide step-by-step guidance but offers extensive controls information. |
As an individual freelancer, you don’t have the same complexities that an organization would have, so a simpler, more understandable framework might be the best choice. In this case, the NIST CSF would also be recommended because of its user friendliness, scalability, flexibility, and clear guidance on implementation. Its simplicity and flexibility make it well-suited to a freelancer’s needs without overwhelming with too much complexity. It can be easily adapted and scaled to an individual’s requirements, even for those with minimal cybersecurity experience.
