Today’s digital threats don’t discriminate by size or sector. Building a solid cybersecurity foundation is no longer optional—it’s essential. Organizations of all sizes face a constant barrage of sophisticated attacks, making it crucial to implement effective security controls to enhance defenses. The CIS Critical Security Controls ® (CIS Controls®) serve as a powerful cybersecurity framework that provide organizations with the prioritized guidance they need to stay secure and a vital starting point in that framework is Implementation Group 1 (IG1), also known as essential cyber hygiene.
IG1 represents the foundational set of CIS Safeguards that every organization, regardless of size or resources, should implement. These Controls are designed to address the most common and easily exploitable attack vectors, providing a significant reduction in risk with a manageable investment. Think of it as building a solid foundation for your cybersecurity house — without it, the entire structure is vulnerable.
CIS Controls IG1 = Essential Cyber Hygiene
The importance of IG1 cannot be overstated. By focusing on essential cyber hygiene, organizations can drastically improve their ability to:
- Prevent Common Attacks: The Safeguards in IG1 directly mitigate the techniques used in the vast majority of cyber attacks, including malware infections, phishing scams, and ransomware.
- Gain Visibility into Assets: Knowing what hardware and software you have is the first step in protecting it. IG1 emphasizes asset inventory and management, providing a clear picture of your attack surface.
- Control Access: Implementing strong access control measures, such as multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles, limits the damage an attacker can inflict even if they gain initial access.
- Detect and Respond to Incidents: IG1 includes Safeguards for logging and monitoring security events, enabling organizations to quickly identify and respond to suspicious activity.
Implementing IG1 is not just about ticking boxes; it’s about building a culture of security within your organization. It requires a commitment from leadership, engagement from IT staff, and awareness from all employees.
Effectiveness of the CIS Controls
Enterprises naturally want to know how effective the CIS Controls are against the most prevalent cyber attacks. CIS answers that question and more through its Community Defense Model (CDM) v2.0.
The findings in the CDM demonstrate the security value of the CIS Safeguards against the top five attack types:
- Malware: 77% of Malware ATT&CK (sub-)techniques can be defended through
implementation of IG1. - Ransomware: 78% of Ransomware ATT&CK (sub-)techniques are defended through
implementation of IG1. - Web Application Hacking: 86% of Web Application Hacking ATT&CK (sub-)techniques are
defended through implementing IG1 Safeguards. - Insider Privilege and Misuse: IG1 defends against 86% of the Insider Privilege and Misuse
ATT&CK (sub-)techniques. - Targeted Intrusions: IG1 defends against 83% of Targeted Intrusions ATT&CK (sub-
)techniques.
The CDM shows that IG1 of the CIS Controls provides enterprises a high level of protection, positioning them to defend against the top five attack types.
Guidance to Master CIS Controls IG1
SANS Institute is offering a new one-of-its-kind course, “SEC366: CIS Implementation Group 1™,” designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively implement CIS Controls IG1 within your organization.
This course provides a practical, hands-on approach to understanding and implementing each IG1 control. You’ll learn how to:
- Prioritize and implement the most critical Controls.
- Use free and open-source tools to enhance your security posture.
- Develop policies and procedures to support ongoing security efforts.
- Measure and track your progress in implementing IG1.
Delivered on the SANS OnDemand platform, this six-hour course is a proactive first step toward protecting your organization’s valuable assets and building a more resilient cybersecurity posture.
Sign up to empower your organization with the foundational security controls it needs to thrive in the face of modern cyber threats. Building a strong cybersecurity foundation starts with CIS Controls IG1, and mastering IG1 starts with the right training.
