V2.0Cybersecurity Compliance Governance Framework

15 Dimensions of Cybersecurity Compliance Governance

Comprehensive evaluation framework across Technical Cybersecurity, Compliance & Governance, and Cultural Intelligence dimensions — aligned with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and global cybersecurity standards

135Assessment Questions90 core + 45 adaptive
15Governance Dimensions3 categories
100Maximum ScoreNon-linear scoring
7Maturity TiersUnaware → Mastery

3-Category Weighting Model

Balanced assessment across technical capabilities, compliance maturity, and organizational culture

45%
Category A: Technical Cybersecurity
Dimensions D1-D6
25%
Category B: Compliance & Governance
Dimensions D7-D9
30%
Category C: Cultural Intelligence & Equity
Dimensions D10-D15
🔧 Category A — 45% Weight

Technical Cybersecurity

6 dimensions evaluating governance frameworks, security architecture, threat detection, identity management, and data protection capabilities

9%
🏛️
D1

Cybersecurity Governance Framework

Evaluates organizational commitment to cybersecurity governance, executive sponsorship, board oversight, and strategic alignment. Assesses the maturity of governance structures, policy frameworks, and accountability mechanisms.

Focus AreasBoard oversight • Executive sponsorship • Governance charter • Strategic alignment • Accountability frameworks
Standards: NIST CSF • ISO 27001 • COBIT • CIS Controls
8%
📋
D2

Policy & Standards Management

Measures the organization's capability to develop, maintain, and enforce cybersecurity policies. Evaluates policy lifecycle management, standards adoption, exception handling, and compliance tracking.

Focus AreasPolicy development • Standards alignment • Exception management • Compliance tracking • Version control
Standards: NIST 800-53 • ISO 27001 • CIS Benchmarks
8%
🔒
D3

Security Architecture & Design

Assesses technical security architecture including defense-in-depth, zero trust principles, network segmentation, and secure design patterns. Evaluates architecture documentation and review processes.

Focus AreasZero trust architecture • Network segmentation • Defense-in-depth • Secure design • Architecture review
Standards: NIST ZTA • TOGAF • SABSA
7%
🛡️
D4

Threat Detection & Response

Evaluates capabilities for detecting, analyzing, and responding to security threats. Assesses SOC maturity, incident response procedures, threat intelligence integration, and continuous monitoring.

Focus AreasSOC operations • Incident response • Threat intelligence • SIEM/SOAR • Continuous monitoring
Standards: NIST IR • MITRE ATT&CK • ISO 27035
7%
🔐
D5

Identity & Access Management

Measures IAM maturity including authentication mechanisms, authorization controls, privileged access management, and identity lifecycle. Evaluates MFA adoption, SSO integration, and access reviews.

Focus AreasMFA implementation • PAM controls • Access certification • SSO integration • Identity governance
Standards: NIST 800-63 • ISO 27001 • CIS Controls
6%
📊
D6

Data Protection & Privacy

Assesses data classification, encryption practices, data loss prevention, and privacy controls. Evaluates compliance with data protection regulations and cross-border data transfer mechanisms.

Focus AreasData classification • Encryption standards • DLP controls • Privacy compliance • Cross-border transfers
Standards: GDPR • CCPA • ISO 27701 • PCI DSS
⚖️ Category B — 25% Weight

Compliance & Governance

3 dimensions assessing regulatory compliance management, risk assessment practices, and third-party risk management capabilities

10%
⚖️
D7

Regulatory Compliance Management

Evaluates the organization's capability to identify, track, and comply with applicable cybersecurity regulations. Assesses compliance monitoring, audit readiness, regulatory change management, and reporting mechanisms.

Focus AreasCompliance mapping • Audit management • Regulatory tracking • Evidence collection • Reporting automation
Standards: SOX • HIPAA • PCI DSS • FISMA • DORA
8%
📈
D8

Risk Assessment & Management

Measures risk identification, assessment, and mitigation capabilities. Evaluates risk appetite definition, quantitative/qualitative assessment methodologies, and risk treatment decision-making.

Focus AreasRisk identification • Risk quantification • Treatment planning • Risk appetite • Continuous assessment
Standards: NIST RMF • ISO 31000 • FAIR
7%
🤝
D9

Third-Party Risk Management

Assesses vendor security assessment, supply chain risk management, and third-party monitoring. Evaluates due diligence processes, contractual security requirements, and ongoing vendor oversight.

Focus AreasVendor assessment • Supply chain security • Due diligence • Contract management • Continuous monitoring
Standards: NIST 800-161 • ISO 27036 • SIG/CAIQ
🌍 Category C — 30% Weight

Cultural Intelligence & Equity

6 dimensions evaluating global awareness, equitable implementation, stakeholder engagement, training effectiveness, innovation capacity, and strategic readiness

5%
🌍
D10

Global Compliance Awareness

Evaluates understanding of international cybersecurity frameworks and cross-cultural compliance considerations. Assesses global regulatory awareness and adaptation to regional requirements.

Focus AreasInternational frameworks • Regional requirements • Cross-cultural awareness • Global standards • Localization
Standards: EU NIS2 • UK Cyber • Singapore CSA • Australia ACSC
5%
🤲
D11

Equitable Compliance Implementation

Measures fairness and equity in cybersecurity implementation across organizational units. Evaluates resource allocation equity, accessibility of security tools, and inclusive policy development.

Focus AreasResource equity • Tool accessibility • Inclusive design • Policy fairness • Disparate impact analysis
Standards: WCAG • Section 508 • ISO 27001 A.7
5%
📢
D12

Stakeholder Communication & Engagement

Assesses communication effectiveness with diverse stakeholder groups. Evaluates security messaging, incident communication, and engagement strategies across different organizational levels.

Focus AreasExecutive communication • Employee engagement • Customer communication • Vendor coordination • Crisis communication
Standards: NIST CSF PR.AT • ISO 27001 A.7.3
5%
📚
D13

Compliance Training & Capability Building

Evaluates security awareness and training program effectiveness. Assesses role-based training, phishing simulation, compliance education, and capability development initiatives.

Focus AreasRole-based training • Phishing simulation • Compliance education • Skill development • Certification support
Standards: NIST SP 800-50 • ISO 27001 A.7.2 • SANS
5%
💡
D14

Innovation & Adaptation

Measures organizational ability to adapt to evolving threats and adopt emerging security technologies. Evaluates innovation culture, technology adoption, and continuous improvement mechanisms.

Focus AreasEmerging technology • Threat adaptation • Security innovation • Technology adoption • Continuous improvement
Standards: NIST CSF ID.RA • ISO 27001 Clause 10
5%
🔮
D15

Strategic Vision & Future Readiness

Assesses strategic security planning, future-state architecture, and organizational resilience planning. Evaluates long-term security roadmap and alignment with business transformation initiatives.

Focus AreasSecurity roadmap • Future-state planning • Business alignment • Resilience planning • Transformation integration
Standards: NIST CSF • ISO 27001 A.5.1 • COBIT

7-Tier Maturity Model

Your assessment results map to a maturity tier with specific capability indicators, governance benchmarks, and improvement pathways

T1
Unaware
0-14%
No formal cybersecurity governance
T2
Emerging
15-28%
Initial awareness and ad-hoc practices
T3
Developing
29-42%
Documented policies and basic controls
T4
Proficient
43-57%
Defined processes and consistent implementation
T5
Advanced
58-71%
Measured and optimized controls
T6
Expert
72-85%
Industry-leading practices and proactive posture
T7
Mastery
86-100%
Continuous innovation and strategic excellence

Advanced Scoring Methodology

Psychometrically validated assessment with adaptive branching and evidence-based feedback

🎯
Non-Linear Scoring
Progressive scale (0, 1, 3, 4, 5) rewards mature capabilities with higher point differentiation
🔄
Adaptive Branching
Questions adapt based on responses: Low, Medium, or High path for targeted evaluation
📊
Psychometric Validation
Cronbach's α: 0.87 | ICC: 0.89 | Cohen's κ: 0.82 — research-grade reliability
📝
Evidence Requirements
Each question includes specific evidence requirements for governance documentation

Assess Your Cybersecurity Maturity

Discover your organization's cybersecurity compliance posture across all 15 dimensions and receive tier-specific recommendations for improvement