What Are Cyber Security Standards?

Cyber security standards typically refer to a list of rules or guidelines used by an organization or group to promote practices that ensure greater security of digital information and networks. This can include general rules that are implemented and enforced by security personnel at a company or organization. Some guidelines can also be more specific, and include rules such as requirements for password choice, different procedures for incorporating new people into a system, and practices regarding information for someone who has left. Cyber security standards can be established by one organization and adopted by others, or created specifically for the particular needs and concerns of a group.

The basic idea behind cyber security standards is for there to be a document that clearly indicates best practices and procedures for digital security. This can alleviate confusion among members of a group, and gives everyone a single point of reference for concerns over security issues. The nature and specific content of this document can vary quite a bit, though it usually serves the same general function.

Cyber security standards can include general types of rules and guidelines for an organization. This can include practices for background checks on new members, especially those who are going to be involved directly in digital security. An organization’s cyber security standards can also indicate the types of hardware and software that it uses to enhance security.

Some groups may also use cyber security standards that are more specific and give members of the organization a clear understanding of different practices. A company, for example, might have standards that indicate requirements for employee passwords, such as the need for at least one number, and at least two letters in both lower and uppercase. Other specific practices can include procedures for providing new members of a group with identification and establishing the systems they are authorized to access. Similar cyber security standards can indicate requirements for eliminating system access for someone who is leaving a group.

There are several sets of cyber security standards that have been created by different technological and data security organizations. These standards can be used by any other organization or group, including businesses and government agencies, to ensure that digital information and computer networks are secure. Some companies, however, may prefer more customized and personalized standards that meet their specific needs. Digital security professionals may assist such a company with the establishment of customized standards, which may use established sets from other organizations as a framework, and then build more robust security guidelines upon them.