CIS Controls Implementation & Advisory Services
Practical, risk-based guidance to strengthen cybersecurity posture using the CIS Critical Security Controls.
What This Service Is
The CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) are a globally recognized set of prioritized cybersecurity best practices designed to help organizations defend against the most common and impactful cyber threats.
Maintained by the Center for Internet Security and updated based on real-world attack data, the CIS Controls provide a practical, implementation-focused roadmap for improving security hygiene across people, process, and technology.
The current version, CIS Controls v8.1, organizes 18 controls (153 safeguards) organized to reflect modern cloud-first and perimeter-less environments. While CIS Controls are not a certification or regulatory requirement, they are widely adopted as a baseline security framework and frequently mapped to standards such as NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and CMMC.
RSI Security provides implementation, assessment, and operationalization support to help organizations adopt CIS Controls in a way that aligns with their risk profile, resources, and broader compliance objectives.
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When This Service Is Needed
Organizations typically engage CIS Controls support when they:
- Need a foundational cybersecurity framework to reduce risk.
- Want to align security practices with industry-recognized best practices.
- Are preparing for or supporting compliance efforts (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, NIST).
- Require practical guidance for improving security maturity.
- Need to prioritize controls due to limited resources.
CIS Controls are especially useful as a starting point or supporting framework within larger security and compliance programs.
How RSI Security Delivers CIS Controls Support
Our approach emphasizes practical adoption, not checkbox compliance:
Scope & Prioritization
Identify relevant assets, systems, and risks and align CIS Controls to the appropriate Implementation Group (IG1, IG2, or IG3).
Gap Assessment
Evaluate current security practices against CIS Controls v8 to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.
Implementation Guidance
Support control implementation across technical, administrative, and procedural domains, including alignment with CIS Benchmarks where applicable.
Operationalization Support
Help integrate CIS Controls into day-to-day operations through documentation, workflows, and staff awareness.
Building a Stronger Security Foundation
Outcomes & Value
Organizations using RSI Security to implement CIS Controls gain:
- Reduced exposure to common cyber threats (phishing, ransomware, misconfiguration)
- Clear prioritization of high-impact security safeguards
- Improved consistency across security operations
- Stronger alignment with widely adopted security standards
- A scalable foundation for future compliance initiatives
This service is designed to strengthen security posture, not to certify compliance or replace regulatory assessments.
CIS Controls are frequently used as a baseline or supporting framework alongside other security and compliance efforts. RSI Security commonly integrates CIS Controls with:
- SOC 2 and HITRUST readiness initiatives
- NIST CSF / NIST SP 800-53 alignment
- PCI DSS and HIPAA security programs
- Risk management and continuous improvement efforts
This ensures CIS adoption supports long-term security maturity rather than operating in isolation.
About RSI Security’s Role
RSI Security provides independent advisory and implementation support for CIS Controls. We:
- Help organizations interpret and implement CIS Controls v8
- Support mapping to other frameworks and business objectives
- Do not issue certifications or formal attestations
- Do not represent CIS, regulators, or accreditation bodies
Clients retain full flexibility in how CIS Controls are adopted and used within their security programs.
Resources & Education
Explore CIS-related guidance and security best practices, including:
- CIS Controls v8 implementation guides
- Security hygiene and prioritization checklists
- Framework mapping insights
Common FAQs
What are the CIS Controls?
The CIS Critical Security Controls are a set of 18 prioritized cybersecurity best practices maintained by the Center for Internet Security, built from real-world attack data. The current version, v8.1, organizes 153 individual safeguards across those 18 controls.
Are the CIS Controls a certification or regulatory requirement?
What are CIS Implementation Groups (IG1, IG2, IG3)?
Implementation Groups are self-assessed tiers that help organizations prioritize which safeguards to adopt first based on their size, resources, and risk profile. IG1 covers the 56 foundational safeguards essential for basic cyber hygiene; IG2 and IG3 add safeguards for organizations with greater complexity or higher risk exposure.
How do the CIS Controls relate to CIS Benchmarks?
CIS Controls define what an organization should do to reduce risk. CIS Benchmarks are separate, detailed configuration guides that define how to securely configure specific systems and technologies.
Next Steps
If your organization is looking to strengthen its cybersecurity foundation using proven,
risk-based best practices, let’s discuss how CIS Controls can support your security goals.