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Organizations today face an increasingly complex landscape of cybersecurity and compliance frameworks. Understanding the differences, overlaps, and practical applications of these frameworks is crucial for building an effective security program without duplicating efforts. This comprehensive guide compares six of the most widely used frameworks globally, helping you navigate their requirements and integrate them efficiently.
Whether you’re an EU entity navigating NIS2 compliance, a SaaS provider seeking SOC 2 certification, or a multinational organization managing multiple frameworks, this guide provides actionable insights to optimize your compliance strategy and strengthen your security posture.
Before diving into the details, let’s understand the fundamental differences between these six frameworks. Rather than viewing them as competing alternatives, consider them as complementary layers that serve different purposes in your overall security and compliance program.
| Framework | What it is | Primary purpose | Who typically “forces” it | Output you show |
| NIS2 | EU cybersecurity directive | Raise baseline cybersecurity + incident reporting for covered entities | Regulators / national authorities | Policies + risk management measures + incident reporting capability (and evidence) |
| GDPR | EU privacy regulation | Protect personal data + rights of individuals | Regulators, customers, partners | Records, privacy governance, breach process (72h rule) |
| NIST CSF 2.0 | Security framework | A common structure to manage cybersecurity risk outcomes | Often internal leadership, customers, public sector | A risk-based “profile” and roadmap using CSF functions |
| SOC 2 | Independent assurance report | Prove controls for a service organization | Customers, procurement, investors | A SOC 2 report covering Security (+ optional categories) |
| CIS Controls v8.1 | Prescriptive control set | Prioritized safeguards that reduce common attacks | Security teams, insurers, maturity programs | Implementation evidence against the 18 Controls / safeguards |
| ISO 27001:2022 | ISMS standard | Build a management system for security risk | Customers, tenders, governance | ISO 27001 certification (or internal conformity) + ISMS artifacts |
Think of these frameworks as different layers that work together to create a comprehensive security and compliance program:
NIS2 is an EU directive aimed at achieving a “high common level of cybersecurity” across the EU internal market. It replaces and strengthens the original Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive from 2016, expanding both scope and requirements.
NIS2 applies to organizations in covered sectors as essential or important entities. The directive defines sectors and scoping rules, with national laws finalizing implementation details. Key sectors include:
Member States were required to adopt and publish national measures by 17 Oct 2024 and apply them from 18 Oct 2024. Organizations in scope need to be compliant with their national implementation of NIS2.
At a practical level, NIS2 pushes organizations to:
NIS2 requires administrative fines at least up to:
Exact enforcement mechanics are implemented via national law, which may vary by Member State.
GDPR is the EU’s core privacy regulation setting rules for lawful processing of personal data, data subject rights, and security of processing. Unlike NIS2, which is a directive requiring national implementation, GDPR is a regulation that applies directly across all EU Member States.
GDPR compliance is usually built from:
A controller must notify a personal data breach to the supervisory authority without undue delay and, where feasible, no later than 72 hours after becoming aware (unless unlikely to result in risk). This strict timeline makes incident detection and response capabilities essential for GDPR compliance.
Depending on the type of infringement, GDPR administrative fines can be up to:
Our interactive assessment helps determine which frameworks apply to your organization based on your sector, location, and business activities.
NIST CSF 2.0 is a widely used, outcomes-focused framework to manage cybersecurity risk across any organization. It provides a common taxonomy for understanding and communicating cybersecurity posture. Released in February 2024, version 2.0 expands on the original framework with additional guidance and a new “Govern” function.
CSF 2.0 is organized around six Functions:
CSF 2.0 does not prescribe exactly how to implement controls; it points you toward practices and resources that can achieve the outcomes. It’s not a checklist or a certification standard, but rather a flexible framework that organizations can adapt to their specific needs and risk profiles.
SOC 2 is an assurance report on controls at a service organization relevant to one or more of:
SOC 2 reports are designed to give users assurance about controls relevant to those criteria. They come in two types:
SOC 2 is procurement-friendly because it’s a standardized way to:
Most SaaS/MSP deals start with Security scope and expand later (Availability/Confidentiality/Privacy) when enterprise customers ask. Starting with just the Security criterion can reduce the initial compliance burden while still meeting most customer requirements.
CIS Controls v8.1 is a prescriptive, prioritized, simplified set of safeguards (“do these first”) to improve cyber defense. Developed by the Center for Internet Security, these controls focus on practical, actionable steps that organizations can take to prevent the most common cyber attacks.
CIS v8.1 (released June 2024) added emphasis including a Governance function and updates for modern environments. This aligns it more closely with NIST CSF 2.0 and reflects the growing importance of governance in cybersecurity programs. Other updates include:
CIS Controls are particularly valuable when:
CIS Controls use Implementation Groups (IGs) to help organizations prioritize:
ISO/IEC 27001 is the world’s best-known ISMS standard. It defines requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System. The 2022 version updates the previous 2013 standard with modernized controls and improved alignment with other ISO management system standards.
Implementing ISO 27001 provides:
A useful concept in ISO 27001 is the idea of selecting controls through a risk approach and comparing them against Annex A as a reference set. This allows organizations to tailor their security controls to their specific risk profile while ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Download our detailed mapping matrix showing how controls and requirements overlap across all six frameworks. Save time and reduce duplication in your compliance efforts.
| Area | NIS2 | GDPR | NIST CSF 2.0 | SOC 2 | CIS v8.1 | ISO 27001 |
| Risk Management | Strong | Medium | Strong | Medium | Medium | Strong |
| Incident Response | Strong | Strong | Strong | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Technical Controls | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium | Strong | Medium |
| Governance | Strong | Strong | Strong | Medium | Medium | Strong |
| External Validation | Varies | No | No | Strong | No | Strong |
Lead with NIS2 (legal driver) and implement it through an ISO 27001 ISMS, then use CIS Controls as your technical baseline and NIST CSF as your “communication layer.” If you sell services, add SOC 2 to satisfy customer procurement.
Lead with SOC 2 + ISO 27001 (fastest procurement impact), then map to NIST CSF and implement technical hardening with CIS Controls. SOC 2 is explicitly designed around controls relevant to security/availability/etc.
Lead with GDPR, then align security to ISO 27001/CIS/NIST to make the “security of processing” operational and auditable. GDPR breach notification duties are explicit and time-bound.
Start with NIS2 (if in EU) or NIST CSF (if in US), then implement technical controls using CIS Controls and formalize your management system with ISO 27001.
Our interactive assessment evaluates your organization’s specific needs and recommends the optimal framework combination based on your industry, location, and business objectives.
Use ISO 27001 to define:
Organize your security roadmap and metrics around:
This is excellent for board reporting and for aligning security outcomes to business risk.
Convert “Protect/Detect/Respond” into a prioritized backlog of safeguards using CIS Controls. This provides concrete, actionable steps to implement the higher-level outcomes defined in your NIST CSF profile.
Map legal requirements to your ISMS artifacts:
When customers demand proof, produce a SOC 2 report using the Trust Services Criteria categories that match your service commitments (often Security + Availability).
Reality: ISO 27001 and SOC 2 answer different procurement questions. Many US-based enterprises want SOC 2 specifically because it’s a familiar assurance format tied to Trust Services Criteria.
Solution: Map your ISO 27001 controls to SOC 2 criteria to leverage existing work, but be prepared to produce both types of evidence for different customer bases.
Reality: CIS Controls helps you implement good security, but NIS2 requires a broader compliance posture (governance, reporting, and legal scoping) and will be enforced via national laws.
Solution: Use CIS Controls as the technical implementation component of your NIS2 program, but ensure you also address the governance, reporting, and legal requirements specific to NIS2.
Reality: GDPR has concrete operational expectations like breach notification within 72 hours and documentation obligations—technical monitoring and incident response maturity matter.
Solution: Implement technical controls for data protection, access management, and incident detection/response as part of your GDPR compliance program.
Reality: There’s significant overlap between frameworks, and implementing them separately creates duplication and inefficiency.
Solution: Use a control mapping approach to identify common requirements and implement them once, then address framework-specific requirements as needed.
| Framework | Key Artifacts |
| NIS2 | Regulator-facing incident readiness; evidence that cybersecurity risk-management measures exist; follow national implementation requirements |
| GDPR | Breach notification process (72h), breach documentation, processor/controller workflows, records of processing activities |
| SOC 2 | Description of the system + control testing evidence aligned to criteria categories |
| CIS Controls | Measurable safeguard implementation mapped to the 18 Controls |
| NIST CSF | Current/target profiles + gap plan |
| ISO 27001 | ISMS scope, risk method, Statement of Applicability, internal audits, continual improvement cycles |
Sort of. NIS2 is a cybersecurity directive with risk-management and reporting expectations for covered entities, while GDPR is a privacy regulation focused on personal data protection and rights (including breach notification rules). They both create legal obligations for organizations in the EU, but with different scopes and focuses.
No single one does. A common winning combo is:
…and then add SOC 2 for customer assurance and GDPR/NIS2 for legal obligations.
NIS2 required Member States to transpose by 17 Oct 2024 and apply measures from 18 Oct 2024. This means that organizations in scope need to be compliant with their national implementation of NIS2 from that date.
It depends on the framework:
Our experts can help you design and implement a streamlined approach that satisfies multiple frameworks without duplication of effort. Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs.
The six frameworks covered in this guide—NIS2, GDPR, NIST CSF 2.0, SOC 2, CIS Controls v8.1, and ISO/IEC 27001—each serve different purposes but can work together effectively in a layered approach. Rather than viewing them as competing alternatives, consider how they complement each other to create a comprehensive security and compliance program.
By understanding the unique strengths and focus areas of each framework, you can prioritize your efforts based on your organization’s specific needs, regulatory requirements, and business objectives. The layered approach outlined in this guide can help you build an efficient, effective program that satisfies multiple frameworks without unnecessary duplication of effort.
Remember that compliance is not a one-time project but an ongoing process. As these frameworks evolve and your organization changes, your compliance strategy should adapt accordingly. Regular assessments, continuous improvement, and a risk-based approach will help ensure your security and compliance program remains effective in the face of evolving threats and regulatory requirements.
