grading/security-attestation.md

#### 1. Adherence to Security Standards and Frameworks (0-20 Points)

- **Compliance with Industry Standards (0-10 Points):** Evaluate the entity's compliance with relevant industry standards (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II).
- **Framework Alignment (0-10 Points):** Assess the alignment of security practices with recognized frameworks (e.g., NIST Cybersecurity Framework).

#### 2. Implementation of Security Controls (0-25 Points)

- **Physical Security Controls (0-5 Points):** Evaluate the effectiveness of physical access controls and environmental protections.
- **Technical Security Controls (0-10 Points):** Assess the implementation of technical controls, including encryption, access controls, and network security measures.
- **Administrative Controls (0-10 Points):** Review policies and procedures for security governance, risk management, and employee training.

#### 3. Incident Response and Management (0-20 Points)

- **Incident Response Plan (0-10 Points):** Evaluate the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the incident response plan, including roles, responsibilities, and procedures.
- **Incident Handling and Reporting (0-10 Points):** Assess the entity's capability to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents, including communication protocols.

#### 4. Data Protection and Privacy (0-15 Points)

- **Data Encryption and Masking (0-5 Points):** Assess the measures in place for protecting data at rest and in transit.
- **Privacy Practices (0-10 Points):** Evaluate the entity's adherence to data privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR and CCPA, and the effectiveness of data handling practices.

#### 5. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement (0-20 Points)

- **Monitoring Security Posture (0-10 Points):** Assess the continuous monitoring practices for security threats and vulnerabilities, including the use of SIEM tools and regular security assessments.
- **Improvement and Updates (0-10 Points):** Evaluate the process for regularly updating security practices and controls based on emerging threats and technological advances.

### Additional Considerations

- **Third-Party Audits and Certifications (Bonus Points):** Additional points can be awarded for third-party audits and certifications that validate the entity's security posture beyond the basic requirements.
- **Innovation and Security Culture (Bonus Points):** Recognize innovative security practices and a strong culture of security awareness and training.

### Scoring Guidelines

- **85-100 Points:** Excellent - Demonstrates a high level of security maturity and commitment to best practices.
- **70-84 Points:** Good - Shows a solid security posture with minor areas for improvement.
- **55-69 Points:** Satisfactory - Meets basic security requirements but needs significant improvement in several areas.
- **Below 55 Points:** Needs Improvement - Does not meet basic security standards and requires substantial enhancements.a