In today’s increasingly digital world, achieving compliance with cyber security standards is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. One such framework that businesses often look to is the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), designed to help organisations understand their cyber security posture.
Having recently conducted several CAF assessments, I’ve identified common pitfalls and valuable lessons that organisations should consider when pursuing compliance. If your organisation is considering CAF compliance, this blog will provide valuable insights and practical takeaways.
Common Findings from CAF Assessments
1. Lack of Documented Policies and Procedures
One of the most consistent findings during CAF assessments is that businesses often underestimate the importance of documenting their procedures and policies. While organisations may have robust informal practices in place, the absence of written documentation can lead to inconsistencies, knowledge silos, and challenges during audits.
Why it Matters:
- Documentation ensures everyone is working from the same information, reducing confusion and miscommunication.
- Auditors require clear evidence of compliance—verbal assurances aren’t enough.
- Written policies make onboarding and ongoing training smoother and more effective, saving time and resources.
2. Overlooked Risk Management Processes
Risk management is another area where gaps frequently arise. Many businesses either don’t have a formal risk management process or fail to revisit it regularly. This means critical steps—like identifying key assets, assessing threats, and planning mitigations—are often missed.
Why it Matters:
- Regular risk assessments help identify and address vulnerabilities before they become major issues.
- Leadership involvement ensures that risk management aligns with business goals, making decisions more strategic.
- A strong risk management process boosts resilience against unexpected challenges, protecting the business and its reputation.
3. Inadequate Asset Management
Asset management is an area that’s often underestimated. While businesses may feel confident about their asset tracking, many lack a complete and comprehensive asset register. This oversight can result in vulnerabilities going untracked and unmanaged.
Why It Matters:
- An up-to-date asset register helps in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.
- Comprehensive tracking helps include all critical assets in risk assessments and security plans.
- Effective asset management enhances both compliance and operational efficiency, keeping everything running smoothly.
4. Weak Access Controls
Another common area of improvement lies in managing access to systems and data. Weak access controls, such as shared passwords or lack of multi-factor authentication, expose businesses to unnecessary risks.
Why it Matters:
- Regular reviews and updates to access permissions minimize the risk of unauthorised access.
- Role-based access controls (RBAC) ensure employees only have access to what they need, enhancing security.
- Strong password policies and multi-factor authentication add critical layers of defense against cyber threats.
5. Gaps in Incident Response Planning
Despite growing cyber risks, many organisations lack a detailed incident response plan—or fail to update and test the one they have. Without prioritising cyber security in these plans, breaches can lead to delayed or ineffective responses.
Why it Matters:
- A clear, well-tested incident response plan ensures a quick and effective reaction when incidents occur, minimising damage.
- Tabletop exercises prepare teams to handle real-world scenarios, reducing panic and confusion during an actual event.
- Focusing on cyber security within the response plan prevents gaps in defence and helps protect critical data and systems.
Key Lessons for Businesses Considering CAF Compliance
Start with a Gap Analysis
Before diving into CAF compliance, conduct a gap analysis to identify areas of strength and improvement. This will save time and resources by focusing efforts where they’re needed most.
Engage Stakeholders Across the Organisation
Cyber security is not solely the responsibility of the IT department. Management, HR, and operations teams all play a role in building a culture of security and ensuring compliance.
Invest in Training and Awareness
Employees are often the first line of defence against cyber threats. Regular training can help them recognise phishing attempts, adhere to policies, and respond appropriately to incidents.
Don’t Underestimate Documentation
As mentioned earlier, documented policies and procedures are foundational to CAF compliance. Start small if necessary, but ensure all critical areas—like access control, incident response, and risk management—are covered.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Achieving CAF compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about building a resilient and secure organisation. The lessons learned from a CAF assessment can help your business:
- Reduce the risk of cyber incidents.
- Build trust with customers and partners.
- Streamline operations through clear policies and processes.
Ready to strengthen your organisation’s cyber resilience? Let us help you begin your CAF compliance journey with a comprehensive gap analysis. Reach out today to start building a more secure future.
Photo by Zan Lazarevic
Andrei Draghiciu
Penny Yap
Nicolas Aristegui
Lucia Turner