CIS Benchmark vs NIST vs Compliance - Explained
Recently, we started working deeply with CIS Benchmarks, NIST standards, and compliance frameworks, and we want to share what we’ve learned - not from theory, but from real-world work, conversations, and unexpected findings.
❓ Can They Be Automated?
Yes - with effort. Automating security benchmarks and policy frameworks like CIS and NIST is possible through:
- Shell scripts
- Compliance-as-code tools (e.g., OpenSCAP, Chef InSpec, Ansible)
- Custom audit tools (e.g., Bash, Python)
But first, we need to understand what to automate - and why it matters.
How They Interrelate
- CIS Benchmarks often implement NIST control requirements in technical detail
- NIST provides a framework; CIS translates that into specific system controls
- Compliance is the end goal - proving we've met legal, industry, or organizational security requirements
How They Work Together
Think of it like this:
- CIS = "How"
- NIST = "What"
- Compliance = "Why"
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| CIS | CIS Benchmarks implement NIST controls in a technical way. |
| NIST | NIST controls help you meet compliance goals. |
| Compliance | Compliance ensures you prove what you've done is enough. |
CIS Benchmark vs NIST vs Compliance – Breakdown
CIS Benchmark
- Developed by: Center for Internet Security (CIS)
- Focus: Secure configuration guidelines for systems (OS, apps)
- Use Case: Hardening systems like Ubuntu, Android, Windows, etc.
- Target Audience: Sysadmins, Security Engineers
- Free to use and community-supported
NIST Frameworks (e.g., 800–53, CSF, 800–171, 800–121)
- Developed by: National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA)
- Focus: Risk-based security controls and guidance
- Use Case: Define security policies across an organization
- Target Audience: CISOs, Risk Managers, Policy Makers
- Public domain, widely adopted globally
Compliance (e.g., HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR)
- Definition: Regulatory, legal, or contractual obligations
- Focus: Validation, enforcement, and evidence of control implementation
- Use Case: Regulatory audits, penalties, customer trust
- Target Audience: Legal, Auditors, InfoSec Heads
- Often requires audits, reports, and penalties for violations
What We Worked On…
As part of our regular work in hardware security and firmware auditing, we often intersect with standards and compliance. It’s surprising how frequently IoT, automobile, and smart home devices touch these frameworks - often unknowingly.
How It Started
While reviewing Android-based embedded devices, we ran into manual audit challenges. Then we discovered:
CIS Benchmark for Android 1.5.0
We initially used it for quick checklist-based auditing. But that soon turned into something bigger:
- We automated parts of it
- Found several device-side implementation gaps
- Collaborated as a team for continuous improvement
Use Case: Android in IoT
A real-world scenario that ties everything together:
- Goal: Secure Android devices used in healthcare environments
- NIST Reference: Use NIST SP 800-121 to define Bluetooth security policies
- CIS Benchmark: Apply CIS Android Benchmark 1.5.0 to enforce hardening
- Compliance: Ensure HIPAA compliance by proving secure configurations and access control
Bonus Tool: ANDI - Android Inspector
To make this process more effective and automated for Android-based devices, we developed:
A fully open-source Bash toolkit that:
- Performs Android security audits based on CIS, NIST, and custom controls
- Generates both CLI and HTML reports (with charts and flow summaries)
- Ideal for security researchers, compliance auditors, and IoT product assessors
Final Thoughts
It may sound funny, but all three - CIS, NIST, and Compliance - are interconnected. One gives a checklist, the other defines what matters, and the last ensures accountability.
Whether you're working in the cloud, IoT, firmware, or enterprise - understanding and applying these standards can take your security practice to the next level.
Let’s not wait anymore - dive deep, automate where possible, and understand why it all matters.