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