How to choose the right cybersecurity framework: A guide for mid-market companies

As cyber threats become more sophisticated and regulatory requirements more stringent, companies, especially mid-market, must take a proactive approach to security.
Choosing the right cybersecurity framework is a critical step in protecting sensitive data, maintaining compliance and building trust with customers, investors and regulators.
However, with so many frameworks available, each with different requirements and industry applications, determining the best fit can be challenging.
Understanding cybersecurity frameworks vs security standards
Cybersecurity frameworks: Structured sets of best practices and methodologies for managing cybersecurity risks. Helps organizations build a structured approach to security, ensuring that policies, processes and technologies align with industry-recognized standards.
Security standards: Defines specific requirements that organizations must meet to achieve compliance. Typically associated with audits, ensuring that an organization meets legal and contractual obligations. Common security standards include HIPAA, PCI DSS and GDPR.
While standards ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, frameworks offer strategic guidance for building a resilient security posture. Choosing the right framework ensures a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity that not only satisfies legal requirements but also strengthens overall protection against evolving threats.
Key cybersecurity frameworks in 2025
Selecting the best framework depends on your industry, regulatory landscape and business operations.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0
Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NIST CSF 2.0 is a voluntary, risk-based cybersecurity framework focuses on six core functions: govern, identify, protect, detect, respond and recover. It provides a variety of high-level cybersecurity outcomes that organizations can use to understand, assess, prioritize and communicate their cybersecurity efforts more effectively.
Best for: Organizations of any size or sector, particularly those looking for a flexible and risk-based approach to managing cybersecurity and aligning with industry standards.
ISO/IEC 27001
The ISO/IEC 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for information security management. It provides a structured framework for implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS), ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of corporate data, including financial information, intellectual property, employee details and third-party managed data.
Best for: Organizations of any size or sector, especially those needing a comprehensive ISMS to ensure data protection and demonstrate compliance to international standards.
CIS Controls
Developed by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), CIS Controls are a structured and simplified set of best practices designed to help organizations strengthen their security posture.
Best for: Small to mid-market organizations seeking a simplified, actionable set of cybersecurity best practices to quickly strengthen their security posture with minimal resource investment.
CMMC
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a unified standard developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure contractors and subcontractors meet specific cybersecurity practices when handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). CMMC integrates various cybersecurity standards and best practices and assigns them across maturity levels, ranging from foundational to advanced.
Best for: Defense contractors and subcontractors in the DoD supply chain who must demonstrate compliance with strict cybersecurity requirements to be eligible for government contracts.
FedRAMP
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization and continuous monitoring for cloud services used by federal agencies. It ensures that cloud providers meet strict federal security requirements before working with government entities.
Best for: Cloud service providers aiming to do business with U.S. federal agencies and needing to prove compliance with federal cybersecurity standards.
StateRAMP
Modeled after FedRAMP, StateRAMP offers a standardized approach to cybersecurity for state and local governments. It helps ensure that cloud service providers meet consistent security requirements when providing services to government agencies, promoting transparency, verification and trust.
Best for: Cloud vendors looking to work with state and local governments that require proven compliance with standardized cybersecurity benchmarks.
How to choose the right framework for your business
Assess your current security posture
Before selecting a new framework, conduct a comprehensive gap assessment to evaluate your institution's existing cybersecurity controls. Identify strengths, pinpoint vulnerabilities and determine where enhancements are needed to align with your chosen framework.
Understand your industry requirements
Certain frameworks are better suited for meeting industry-specific regulations. Understanding your industry's unique regulatory landscape will help you determine which security frameworks align with these requirements and which ones are most effective for addressing sector-specific risks.
Consider business goals and objectives
When selecting a security framework, it's important to align your choice with your company's broader business objectives. For example, with the FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool being phased out, financial institutions may consider adopting ISO 27001 to enhance their cybersecurity posture and build credibility with investors and regulators. Additionally, if your organization is focused on streamlining compliance processes or reducing the burden of managing multiple audits, a consolidated compliance framework, combining assessments like NIST, ISO, PCI DSS, HITRUST and/or SOC 2, can help alleviate audit fatigue and ensure consistent, efficient compliance across various regulatory requirements.
Real-world example: For companies navigating a complex landscape of regulatory requirements, working with multiple providers testing the same controls can strain internal resources. Learn how FD's Consolidated Compliance Assessment Program helped a leading global payments technology company streamline compliance, exceed regulatory requirements and reduce audit redundancies. Read more here.
Engage key stakeholders
Cybersecurity is not just an IT concern; it requires collaboration across executive leadership, technology teams, risk and compliance professionals and internal audit. Engaging these stakeholders early ensures alignment on strategic priorities and regulatory expectations.
Monitor, validate and adapt
Cyber threats and regulatory expectations continue to evolve, making ongoing monitoring essential. Regularly measure progress against targeted cybersecurity maturity levels, reassess risk factors and adjust your strategy as needed. Internal audit should be involved in periodic reviews to validate compliance and readiness for regulatory examinations.
Next steps: Strengthening your security posture
Choosing the right security framework is more than just a compliance requirement; it's a strategic investment in your company's resilience, reputation and long-term success. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and regulatory landscapes shift, companies must take a proactive approach to security. By assessing your current security posture, aligning with industry requirements and considering business goals, you can implement a framework that not only meets compliance standards but also strengthens your overall cybersecurity strategy.
Navigating these complexities can be challenging, but you don't have to do it alone. Frazier & Deeter's experts are here to help you evaluate your options, implement the right framework and build a security posture that protects your business now and in the future. Contact us to get started.
Frazier & Deeter (FD) is comprised of Frazier & Deeter, LLC, a US licensed CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients, and Frazier & Deeter Advisory, LLC, an alternative practice structure that provides tax and advisory services to clients worldwide. Learn more at www.FrazierDeeter.com.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time Business News

a day ago

• Time Business News

Europe's Most Empowering Side Hustle for Women? QueenZone257 Is Taking Over

In a time where flexible work opportunities are in high demand—especially among women seeking independence and work-life balance—a new platform is gaining massive attention across Europe. Introducing – a digital space created exclusively for women to earn money on their own terms. Praised as 'Europe's most empowering digital side job for women,' QueenZone257 combines freedom, trust, and real rewards – offering a new standard for what a modern side hustle can be. 'This is not just a job – it's an opportunity,' says Lina H., a 29-year-old from Berlin. 'I complete simple tasks on my phone, test products I actually get to keep, and earn money daily. No fees, no pressure – just honest work.' The platform, accessible via offers daily digital tasks and paid product testing jobs designed for women across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and now the UK. No professional background is needed – just a smartphone and internet connection. Most tasks take just a few minutes and include app testing, feedback submission, and Goodie Assignments, where users receive real products to try and review. Unlike many gig platforms, QueenZone257 is: ✅ 100% free to join – no upfront payments or hidden costs – no upfront payments or hidden costs ✅ Fully GDPR-compliant , ensuring user privacy and data protection , ensuring user privacy and data protection ✅ Fast-paying – earnings are paid out promptly, with no minimum thresholds Users are guided through a simple onboarding process via WhatsApp and can choose when and how often they want to work. There are no fixed schedules – the platform adapts to individual lifestyles. 'It's rare to find something online that's actually fair and transparent,' says a London-based user. 'QueenZone257 felt real from day one.' While many online jobs feel impersonal or exploitative, QueenZone257 emphasizes community, clarity, and flexibility. It's designed to help women earn money without pressure, from wherever they are – whether on the sofa, on the go, or during a quiet moment at home. Women aged 18–40 can now apply directly at The application process is digital, fast, and takes only a few minutes. Once accepted, new users typically receive their first assignment within 48 hours. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Forbes

a day ago

• Forbes

Why Post-Quantum Cryptography Is The New Speed And Agility KPI

Jordan Rackie is the CEO of Keyfactor, an identity-first security solution for modern enterprises. getty Quantum computing has taken on an almost mythical status—its arrival is both feared and eagerly anticipated by those in business and technology circles. Fortunately, NIST's guidance on the implementation of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) has been a great guide for the conversation, offering a timeline for organizations amongst a chorus of voices debating when quantum will finally be realized. While helpful, the debate over when exactly quantum will arrive has boards and executives distracted. Leaders and experts continue to debate the exact year that traditional encryption will crumble, missing the most important,real-world consequences of the impending arrival of quantum computing. Whether Q-Day was yesterday or is tomorrow, the risks facing businesses are the same and require attention right now. Leadership often loses sight of the reality that hackers are harvesting encrypted data today, knowing they'll be able to decrypt it tomorrow when quantum tools catch up. If that data includes sensitive customer information, financial records or intellectual property of any capacity, they are in for a world of hurt and exposure. As the CEO of an identity-first security solution company, I believe that the real business risk isn't when quantum hits; it's what you've done to prepare for it. The organizations and leaders that could be able to navigate the post-quantum future successfully are those who understand this imperative to act now. Just as digital transformation and digital trust have become enablers of business success, so too will post-quantum cryptographic health. In fact, I believe it's certain that cryptographic readiness is going to be the next factor that determines pack leaders in all industries. If we consider previous paradigm-shifting transitions in technology—the rise of the internet, generative AI's explosion and now quantum computing—businesses that have thrived through these disruptive forces have had one common denominator: agility. It's not about reacting to disruption; it's about staying ahead of it. Considering PQC as the context, agility means being able to take the entire trust infrastructure of a business and shift it, without disruption or preventing innovation, to meet emerging threats. Much of the work is behind-the-scenes—updating certificates, keys and secrets—but intrinsic to efficient, secure and well-managed operations. Organizations that start now, even if making only very preliminary efforts, will avoid any disruption when quantum does arrive. To get an organization moving on a PQC strategy, executives must have both a ground-up and top-down awareness of their risks. Approaching from the foundation up, technology leaders should have 100% visibility in their assets. This means that all machine identities, like digital certificates and cryptographic keys, are accounted for. Imagine if an unseen certificate expired, exposing a business' sprawling network of digital data like an open door in a dark house. Frightening, right? Now imagine several open doors in your cryptographic house, and you forgot a flashlight to go look for them. In fact, you don't even own a flashlight. Managing machine identities is impossible when you can't see them. For technology leaders, implementing an audit of cryptographic assets can be like turning the lights on in that dark house. Audits can tell technology leaders where keys are, what algorithms they use and how they're managed, even ranking them by greatest risk depending upon the depth of the assessment. An inventory like this ensures that trust is maintained across an organization's interconnected system,rather than pieced together in a patchwork of knowledge. Looking from the top down is also important to building a scalable, secure enterprise that can be agile. This means that leadership—and not just your CISO—should be having regular discussions about the impacts of quantum computing on the organization. This might include a review of cybersecurity policies, checks on overall cryptographic health and conversations about practicable roadmaps for deploying quantum-safe algorithms. By building PQC awareness through the board and C-suite, organizations can ensure that their cryptographic strategies are front and center in conversations about business health—a great place to start, considering that quantum is expected to impact all organizations in the near future. Quantum literacy for boards and stakeholders is becoming more integral to strategy, so addressing realities and risks head-on is key, especially if resources must be allocated to protect a business. Boards need to understand that this preparation is not for a theoretical future, but a fast-approaching reality. Getting a business' cryptographic house in order is not an overnight project. It's a journey that demands planning, prioritization and proactivity. Since the transition to PQC is a major time- and work-intensive shift for businesses, it's of critical importance that they start now. Delaying discussions or even preliminary assessments of cryptographic risks will only further expose organizations when quantum does arrive. Denying or waiting for quantum's approach also means a smaller and smaller market share for those who procrastinate. I believe preparation for a post-quantum world will only increase in importance in the next 12 months. Machine identities continue to proliferate, and PQC migrations will need to accelerate alongside this growth. There will not be time for organizations to scramble. If operations are stalled or disrupted due to a lack of a PQC strategy, that means sidelined goals and missed revenue for leadership. Enterprises need the right tools to maintain trust and scale securely, all while maintaining quantum agility. Connectivity and trust are what keep an organization competitive. Those who can maintain this trust and move quickly, emphasizing proactivity over reactivity, are the ones who have the greatest competitive edge. Preparation for a quantum future is no different from other hurdles this industry has faced, though the stakes are much higher. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?

Time Business News

2 days ago

• Time Business News

How Mobile Apps Are Reshaping the Modern Wellness Lifestyle

Wellness is no longer a weekend retreat or early morning yoga class luxury. It has become a daily pursuit, one that easily integrates into the rhythm of contemporary life. From journaling to meal tracking and guided meditations, wellness has transformed from analog routines to digital rituals. And at the center of this shift are mobile wellness apps. The last ten years have witnessed a paradigm shift in how individuals engage with their well-being, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Rather than taking hours out for self-care, users now use their smartphones to meditate between appointments, do a 15-minute bodyweight workout, or track sleep with a wearable connected to an app. What took six weeks a decade ago can now be done in the space of your hand. In this article, we'll explore how mobile wellness apps are reshaping the wellness lifestyle trends of today. From mindfulness to movement, and everything in between, we'll dive into the tools that are empowering individuals to take control of their well-being, anytime, anywhere. As digital health transformation continues to unfold, the future of wellness is looking smarter, more personalized, and more accessible than ever. While consumers swipe through meditation exercises or monitor their macros, Best Mobile App Development Companies are working behind the scenes to shape the tools that mark contemporary wellness. These companies act as the technical foundation, bringing health-driven concepts into intuitive digital experiences. Whether it's a meditation startup or an international fitness brand, developers collaborate with stakeholders to create secure, scalable, and intuitive apps. Their job is so much more than writing code—they assist brands in taking wellness objectives and turning them into compelling digital experiences. MindSea, TechAhead, and WillowTree are some of the companies that have established themselves as leaders in wellness app development, reputed for intuitive interfaces and HIPAA-compliant designs. These experts specialize across mental wellness, fitness, nutrition, and more. Contemporary well-being apps thrive on AI-driven personalization, real-time insights, and safe handling of data. Top developers bring these technologies responsibly to life—protecting privacy without losing performance. All these companies put together are not only creating apps—they're creating the future of self-care, experience by experience. Mindfulness apps such as Calm and Headspace have simplified the act of prioritizing mental health by providing short, guided meditation sessions to ease stress and increase concentration. The apps enable users to incorporate mindfulness into daily life on their schedule, easing anxiety and sleeping better, all independently. Along with meditation, mood tracking, and journaling apps like Daylio and Journey assist people in thinking about their feelings and monitoring mental health cycles over time. Some apps even grant access to online therapy support, providing a complete solution for mental well-being. With the increasing popularity of mobile mental health tools, they continue to enable people to control their emotional well-being. Nutrition and sleep are the pillars of good health, and smartphone apps are simplifying the process of maximizing both. Mobile apps such as MyFitnessPal and Yazio enable you to monitor food consumption, receive hydration reminders, and follow customized meal plans, which will keep you in check regarding your nutritional requirements. Eating nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, for a better immune system, can also boost overall health, making it essential to maintain a balanced diet. In the same way that sleep is paramount for health, these apps claim to monitor your sleeping habits through feedback that can improve your sleep quality and duration. Such apps are often synced with diet apps, showing you how your diet affects your sleep, for example: eating fruits full of vitamins will improve your sleep and immunity. Combined, sleep tracking and nutrition apps provide an end-to-end solution to wellness. They assist you in making better decisions about what you consume and how you sleep, resulting in a healthier and more rewarding wellness regimen. With these applications, you are able to complete the loop of your wellness experience and enhance both your mental and physical health. As wellness apps mature, AI and machine learning are transforming the way we go about our individual health and wellness. Here's a rundown of how they're driving the future: Providing tailored fitness regimens according to progress. Recommending meditation or breathing exercises according to states of mind. Monitoring sleep patterns and optimizing recommendations for improved rest. Real-time monitoring of physical activity, heart rate, and sleep. Tailored insights that adapt over time based on how users behave. An interconnected ecosystem where information from several devices is used to improve overall wellness. Emotional AI: Applications that recognize emotional signals and respond, offering relaxation techniques when appropriate. Applications that recognize emotional signals and respond, offering relaxation techniques when appropriate. Virtual Reality (VR): Immersive experiences for guided relaxation, movement, or fitness, making it seem even more connected and immersive. Immersive experiences for guided relaxation, movement, or fitness, making it seem even more connected and immersive. Accuracy suggestions: Data-driven, hyper-personalized wellness paths led by sophisticated analysis of data and ongoing user inputs. However, the apps also come with a host of challenges that warrant being addressed. One of the biggest issues is data privacy. Many such apps collect highly sensitive health-related information, and many of them are either not entirely transparent or attempt to obscure the means of storing or sharing that data, which is a significant red flag for potential issues with both compliance and trust. Next is the time-on-screen paradox. It would feel counterintuitive to use an app to de-stress or improve sleep if that means spending more time in front of the device. Users have to find a balance between digital tools for wellness and older methods that require stepping away from the computer entirely. Lastly, never-ending app fatigue is setting in, making it difficult to sift through what is genuinely helpful. Choosing resources that carry the weight of their credibility, that provide clear benefits for the user, and that have a user interface that encourages engagement will undoubtedly help tackle these common challenges in digital wellness. With several thousand choices available in the wellness apps market, the key question comes down to your choice of app. Not every app will fulfill your requirements or achieve your targets, and spending too much time in front of a screen will indeed do more harm. Conscious app selection is what matters most, and so use technology to support your lifestyle rather than demand it. Moving forward, wellness will be nurtured by intelligent and sleek technology. Together with the right app, in the right pocket, and the right vibe, the proper choices are yours to think about when considering 'health.' TIME BUSINESS NEWS