CIS Critical Security Controls
CloudTech24 work with you to strengthen your organisation’s cyber defences with CIS (Center for Internet Security) Critical Security Controls.
Benefits of CIS 18 alignment include:
- Protection against current and emerging threats
- Structured improvement of your security posture
- Compliance-ready documentation
- Guidance for both SMEs and large enterprises.
CIS Critical Security Controls implementation
At CloudTech24, we help UK businesses implement and maintain the CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1, the globally recognised cybersecurity framework from the Centre for Internet Security (CIS) that helps you protect your organisation from today’s top cyber threats.
We align our approach with the CIS Critical Security Controls implementation guide, ensuring every control is deployed in line with best-practice guidance and prioritised based on your organisation’s size, risk profile, and maturity level. This structured methodology ensures that the initial focus is on actioning safeguards that deliver the greatest risk reduction, while building a scalable, long-term security posture.
CloudTech24’s comprehensive service covers all 18 controls, from initial gap analysis through to ongoing monitoring and management. We don’t just list recommendations, we take ownership of implementation, integrating technical controls, policies, and processes into your existing IT environment.
Whether you’re working towards Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, ISO 27001 certification, or defending against cyber-attacks, our CIS-led approach provides a clear, measurable, and proven path to achieving and maintaining a stronger cybersecurity posture with minimal disruption to your business.
We let the numbers do the talking
At CloudTech24, we’re proud of the results we deliver for our clients. With a 96% year-over-year client retention rate, we’ve built lasting relationships by consistently providing reliable and effective solutions.
Today, we support over 250 customers across more than 10 countries worldwide, showcasing our ability to scale and serve businesses globally. What sets us apart is our speed and efficiency. We resolve issues in less than 68 minutes on average, ensuring our clients get the support they need without delays. These achievements reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional service and value every single day.
96%
Retention of current clients YoY
250+
Customers in over 10 countries worldwide
<68
Minutes to issue resolution
What is the Center for Internet Security (CIS)?
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that develops globally recognised security benchmarks and controls. Their Critical Security Controls are widely used by businesses, governments, and institutions to implement effective cybersecurity frameworks.
The CIS Critical Security Controls are regularly updated, to ensure they address new cyber threats and provide organisations with a practical roadmap for improving security.
What are the 18 top-level CIS Controls?
The CIS Controls v8.1 framework provides businesses with 18 proven security best practices that deliver maximum impact against real-world cyber threats. CloudTech24 leverages these controls to strengthen your defences across every layer of your IT environment.
The Controls are split into three Implementation Groups (IG1, IG2 and IG3), beginning with the controls in the IG1 group, which cover the minimum level of information security and offer protection against common cyber-attacks. IG2 and IG3 build on the foundation laid by IG1, allowing for a scalable approach to cybersecurity.
The 18 CIS Controls include:
- Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets: Full visibility of all hardware
- Inventory and Control of Software Assets: Tracking all applications and software versions
- Data Protection: Securing sensitive information
- Secure Configuration: Hardening systems against known methods of attack
- Account Management: Managing user identities and privileges
- Access Control Management: Least privilege access enforcement
- Continuous Vulnerability Management: Automated scanning and prioritisation
- Audit Log Management: Comprehensive logging of incidents
- Email and Web Browser Protections: Defending against email phishing attacks
- Malware Defences: Multi-layered endpoint protection
- Data Recovery Capabilities: Ensuring business continuity in the event of a cyber-attack
- Network Infrastructure Management: Securing routers, switches and firewalls
- Network Monitoring and Defences: Real-time threat detection
- Security Awareness and Skills Training: Improving human defences
- Service Provider Management: Securing your supply chain partners
- Application Software Security: Protecting business applications
- Incident Response Management: Rapid detection and recovery
- Govern: Strategic cybersecurity governance framework.
How CloudTech24 helps with CIS Controls implementation
We offer a range of services to help your business align with the CIS Critical Security Controls framework, including:
- Gap Analysis & CIS Mapping: We evaluate your current security posture and align it with the relevant CIS Implementation Group
- CIS Controls Consulting: CloudTech24 deliver expert guidance and support on implementing each CIS Control
- Managed Security Services: We can provide Managed Detection and Response services (MDR), managed email security, endpoint protection, vulnerability management services and assessments, firewall management, and more
- CIS Security Compliance Monitoring: Our service ensures you maintain alignment with the CIS Controls, through a combination of automated tools and human oversight from our 24/7/365 in-house team of experts.
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CIS Critical Security Controls - FAQs
Take a look at some common questions we receive about CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS 18). If you would prefer, then please do give us a call and speak to one of our team.
What are the CIS Critical Security Controls?
CIS (Center for Internet Security) Critical Security Controls are a prioritised set of 18 actions designed to guide secure IT practices and to help protect your organisation from cyber-attacks.
What is the purpose of the CIS Critical Security Controls?
The purpose of the CIS Critical Security Controls is to strengthen your cybersecurity posture and improve your cyber resilience. This is achieved by implementing 18 prioritised best practices, which address the most common methods of attack.
How many CIS controls are there?
There are 18 controls in total, as outlined in CIS v8.1. These controls form a framework of safeguards for organisations of any size.
What is the difference between the CIS and NIST frameworks?
While both the CIS (Center for Internet Security) and the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) have respected cybersecurity frameworks, the CIS Critical Security Controls are a simpler and more prescriptive list of security controls to deploy, making them easier to implement for small and medium-sized organisations with limited IT resources.
The NIST standard has a broader, more strategic approach, detailing how to build and manage your cybersecurity framework.
Is CIS compliance mandatory?
CIS cybersecurity compliance is not a legal requirement; however, it is strongly recommended as a baseline security framework. It can also support compliance with other standards such as ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIST.
Are the CIS Critical Security Controls regularly updated?
Yes. Global cybersecurity professionals maintain and update the CIS Critical Security Controls, so they reflect the latest threat intelligence and security best practices.
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Their cybersecurity expertise has also added a strong layer of confidence, we know our systems, data, and users are properly protected.
What stands out most is the level of service. Communication is clear, response times are fast, and nothing feels like too much trouble. They operate more like an extension of our team than an external provider, which makes a big difference.
Overall, it’s taken a lot of stress away from managing IT internally and allowed us to focus on growing the business, knowing everything behind the scenes is in safe hands.
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