What Is the CIS Security Framework?
The CIS Critical Security Controls are a globally respected framework of cybersecurity best practices published by the nonprofit Center for Internet Security (CIS). They consist of a prescriptive, prioritized, and simplified set of 18 security controls designed to help organizations strengthen their cyber defenses In essence, the CIS Controls distill what experts consider the most important actions to protect against today’s common threats.
This framework is widely adopted by governments, businesses, and security professionals worldwide as an industry-standard approach to cyber protection. Originally known as the “SANS Top 20,” the CIS Controls have evolved over time (now at version 8.1) but remain universally applicable across industries
Why the CIS Controls Matter for Cybersecurity
The CIS Controls are a proven blueprint for stronger cyber defense. They prioritize the safeguards with the biggest impact, starting with the “Basic Controls” — core cyber hygiene like asset inventories and vulnerability management. Implementing just these basics can block most common attacks.
But CIS is more than risk reduction. The framework is practical, scalable, and industry-agnostic — relevant whether you’re a small business or a global enterprise. It grows with your security maturity.
CIS also accelerates compliance. Because the Controls map to major standards, organizations gain audit readiness almost by default. Asset management, access control, and logging are covered before the auditor even asks.
No Assets, No Security: Why CIS Begins with ITAM
Every strong cybersecurity program starts with visibility. That’s why the first two CIS Controls go straight to the core: knowing your assets. Control 1 requires a full inventory of every device — laptops, servers, IoT and cloud instances — while Control 2 demands the same discipline for software. Together, they form the baseline that every other safeguard depends on.
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And yet, this is where most organizations fall short. Spreadsheets, siloed tools, and partial CMDBs create a dangerous illusion of control. Shadow IT, unmanaged cloud, and forgotten devices quietly undermine even the best security strategies. When assets are unknown, patching misses targets, access controls don’t align, and incident response becomes guesswork.
That’s why IT Asset Management isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.
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A clean, reliable inventory doesn’t only satisfy CIS Controls 1 and 2, it powers much more of the framework. Vulnerability management (Control 7), account and access control (Controls 5 and 6), and even network infrastructure management (Control 12) all rely on trusted asset data. In short: without ITAM, CIS is theory. With ITAM, it becomes practice.
How Chloris Group Helps You Get CIS Right from Day One
At Chloris Group, we turn CIS requirements into business results. As the Nordic region’s only consultancy dedicated to IT Asset Management, we know how to transform scattered data into a living system of record that security and compliance teams can trust.
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Our approach is both strategic and practical. We start with a readiness assessment, measuring your current asset data and processes against CIS maturity. We then design the governance and policies that keep inventories clean, fill gaps in ownership and configuration, and automate discovery so new assets are never missed. And we don’t stop there — we integrate ITAM with your security, compliance, and procurement workflows, so Controls 1 and 2 actively enable the rest of the framework.
The outcome is clear: your organization gains a single source of truth for assets, CIS controls become easier to implement, and your security posture strengthens from day one. You reduce blind spots, simplify audits, and build a foundation that scales with your business.
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With Chloris Group, mastering CIS doesn’t start with confusion — it starts with clarity, confidence, and control.