What should an IT security team implement to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements?

Implementing a security framework is essential for ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements because security frameworks provide a structured approach to managing security risks. These frameworks typically outline best practices, guidelines, and standards that organizations should follow to protect their information systems.

A security framework, such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO/IEC 27001, or COBIT, helps organizations define their security posture and aligns their security policies with regulatory requirements. It encompasses not only technical controls but also managerial and organizational policies that address compliance with laws and regulations. By adhering to a recognized framework, organizations can systematically assess their compliance, identify gaps, and implement measures to address those gaps, enhancing their ability to meet legal and regulatory obligations.

In contrast, while Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), controls checklists, and configuration settings checklists are valuable tools and practices in the context of security, they serve more as components of a comprehensive security management strategy. SIEM focuses on monitoring and analyzing security events, while checklists are useful for ensuring that specific controls are implemented but do not provide an overarching compliance strategy. Therefore, the holistic approach provided by a security framework best supports compliance with various legal and regulatory requirements.