| #### 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 |