Selecting and implementing a cybersecurity framework is one of the most strategic decisions a local government or public entity can make. Frameworks provide structure, consistency, and a shared language for managing cyber risks across departments, vendors, and leadership. They also help align cybersecurity efforts with regulatory requirements, funding eligibility, and enterprise risk management.
Why Frameworks Matter
Cybersecurity frameworks:
- Standardize practices across departments.
- Support communication between technical teams and leadership.
- Enable benchmarking and continuous improvement.
- Align with compliance mandates and funding requirements.
For smaller governments, frameworks can feel overwhelming. But right-sizing your approach—through shared services, outsourcing, or phased adoption—can make implementation realistic and effective
Key Frameworks to Consider
| Framework | Focus Area | Best For | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIST CSF | Risk-based cybersecurity management | Public and private sectors | Flexible, scalable, organized into five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover. Widely adopted and regularly updated. |
| NIST SP 800-53 | Security and privacy controls | Federal agencies and contractors | Dense and detailed. Provides hundreds of specific controls. Ideal for organizations needing granular technical guidance. |
| NIST CIS (Critical Infrastructure Security) | Sector-specific protections | Energy, healthcare, transportation | Tailored to critical infrastructure sectors. Often used in conjunction with CSF. |
| PCI DSS | Payment card data protection | Finance, retail, municipalities handling payments | Mandates encryption, access control, and regular audits. |
| HIPAA | Patient data protection | Healthcare providers | Requires safeguards for electronic protected health information (ePHI). |
| CJIS | Criminal justice data security | Law enforcement, courts | Strict access control and audit requirements. |
| CCPA | Consumer privacy rights | California-based entities | Focuses on data transparency, access, and deletion rights. |
| FAA/EPA | Sector-specific cybersecurity | Aviation, environmental agencies | Includes operational and compliance mandates. |
| OWASP | Application security | Developers, IT teams | Focuses on common vulnerabilities like injection, broken authentication, and misconfigurations. |
How to Choose the Right Framework
Ask these guiding questions:
- Does the framework align with our size, mission, and regulatory environment?
- Can we integrate it into our enterprise risk management strategy?
- Are there opportunities to share services or outsource functions?
- Does it support communication with leadership and external stakeholders?
- Are there clear guidelines for incident response and recovery?
- Is the framework regularly updated to reflect evolving threats?
Local Government Cybersecurity Alliance 