Ensuring Cybersecurity and Data Privacy through the Secure Controls Framework

Constant security threats, sensitive data, and never-ending compliance requirements—that's a lot for an organization to handle! It can be overwhelming for companies to drive business outcomes while trying to fulfill security and compliance requirements.
Enforcing cybersecurity and data privacy while also obeying regulatory requirements can be made easier by following a structured security framework.

A security framework is like a handbook that guides an organization with a comprehensive approach to risk management and data protection. It consists of controls, policies, and procedures that help fortify an organization's security posture.
There are several frameworks that help organizations design controls to prevent security risks and maintain compliance, one such framework being the Secure Controls Framework.
The Secure Controls Framework is one of the most comprehensive guidelines using which a company can conceptualize and enforce an in-depth security program. In this blog, we will cover what the secure controls framework is, how it works, and why it is a good idea to use a common control framework for your organization's security.
What is the secure controls framework?
Simply put, the Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is an open-source guide that consists of a set of controls that help an organization design and implement effective security. It offers strategic and operational guidance to manage cybersecurity and data privacy without hindering operational growth.
This security controls framework takes a proactive approach to security, but it also results in compliance. Very often, companies that put compliance first, use controls that only concern compliance requirements.

The SCF, on the other hand, takes into account principles of data and security that comply with both cybersecurity and data privacy law, making an organization both secure and compliant.
How does it work?
The SCF is a framework consisting of several applicable standards. It has over a thousand controls that adhere to over 150+ legislations and standards that are updated regularly by authorities.
It helps conceptualize, set up, and maintain a system that safeguards data, systems, applications, and operations of an organization.
The unique features of the secure controls framework are described below.
Distills requirements
Every organization has different needs to address based on the industry it belongs to or the region it operates in. For instance, fintech companies follow PCI DSS, while organizations handling the data of EU residents adhere to GDPR.
The SCF employs the process of “distilling expectations" to customize controls to address the unique requirements of an organization.
The SCF tackles security concerns by focusing on cybersecurity and data privacy controls for statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations as well as industry-recognized best practices.
By adhering to these standards, it ensures that an organization is both compliant and secure while it focuses on its business processes.
Uses a data-centric approach

The SCF has in place technical and physical security controls that protect an organization's data. The physical controls include things like biometrics, access cards, and surveillance cameras to keep unauthorized people out. The technical controls include authentication tools, antivirus software, and firewalls, among other tools, to keep hackers away from data.
The SCF regards data as the most precious commodity of an organization. All assets of an organization, such as hardware, servers, and applications, can be replaced. However, an organization's data is irreplaceable.
This data-centric approach is kept at the center while setting up and maintaining a security program while following the SCF.
Follows the CIAS quadrant
The CIA (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) Triad does not cut it for the secure controls framework.
The SCF considers the CIA triad inadequate in its approach to cybersecurity and data privacy. This is because it lacks the significant component of safety. The SCF uses the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and safety quadrant to address the ever-evolving needs of organizations that use artificial intelligence (AI) and automated tools.
Since such organizations are prone to frequent security breaches, the SCF emphasizes safety to protect their data. These are the components of the CIAS Quadrant:
Confidentiality: It protects data and proprietary information by restricting its access to authorized users only.
Integrity: It protects data from being altered or destroyed by unauthorized users.
Availability: It ensures that data is made available without any hassle or delay to authorized users.
Safety: It works actively to prevent the risks associated with the use of technologies such as AI by obstructing security threats that could damage or destroy assets.
Safety focuses on preventing dangerous cyber crimes such as cyber stalking, cyber warfare, terrorism, and device tampering.
Uses cybersecurity for privacy by design (C4P)

The SCF follows the concept of cybersecurity for privacy by design (C4P), which addresses privacy concerns by governing people, processes, and technologies.
The objectives of C4P are as follows:
- Enforce privacy using tools like virtual private networks and proxy servers
- Make security configuration settings secure by default
- Integrate security mechanisms into processes while implementing them
- Keep security practices simple and consistent for all users to avoid confusion
- Use methods such as zero trust to verify users
- Security awareness training for all users
What is Scrut's Unified Control Framework and how can it help your organization?
Scrut launched its very own version of the secure controls framework called the Unified Control Framework (UCF). It is a great feature that simplifies the process of meeting compliance requirements across multiple frameworks.

The controls are mapped to frameworks and requirements in your Scrut account, and all artifacts are linked to the controls, including policies, evidence, and tests. This means you are not required to migrate your evidence, controls, or policies when adopting a new standard. We have retained your existing policies and evidence, eliminating any need for additional effort.
Our user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and manage your frameworks and controls. You can create custom frameworks and controls, making compliance management even more effortless.
Final thoughts
Using a secure controls framework helps an organization in the conception, implementation, and maintenance of an effective security posture.
It keeps cybersecurity and data privacy at the forefront and embeds security measures into every process, policy, and operation of an organization.
Using Scrut's Unified Control Framework is a great way to balance both security and compliance needs. It is a game-changer for compliance automation. It lets you save time and effort by mapping controls to frameworks that are applicable to your organization and by satisfying similar requirements at the same time.
Schedule a demo today to learn more.

Ready to see what security-first GRC really looks like?
Ready to see what security-first GRC really looks like?
Ready to see what security-first GRC really looks like?
See what a real security- first GRC platform looks like
Ready to see what security-first GRC really looks like?
Focus on the traveler experience. We’ll handle the regulations.
Achieve and maintain compliance without the busywork.
Choose risk-first compliance that’s always on, built for you, and never in your way.
Ready to see what security-first GRC
One platform, every framework. No more duplicate work.
You can’t manage user access if you’re always playing catch-up.
Explore the future of enterprise GRC
Tired of chasing vendors for risk assessments?
Join the thousands of companies automating their compliance with Scrut.
The right partner makes all the difference. Let’s grow together.
Make your business easy to trust, put security transparency front and center.
Risk-first security starts with risk-first visibility.
Secure your team from the inside out.
Don't settle for slow, expensive compliance. Get Scrut instead.
Risk-first compliance for forward-thinking teams.
Audits without the back-and-forth. Just seamless collaboration.
Scale fast. Stay compliant. Automate the rest.
Compliance? Done and dusted, in half the time.
Get ahead of GDPR compliance before it becomes a problem.
Outgrowing table-stakes compliance? Create custom frameworks with ease.
Navigate SOC 2 compliance, minus the stress.
PCI DSS compliance, minus the panic.
Take the wheel of your HIPAA certification journey today.
We’ve got what you need to fast-track your ISO 27001 certification.
Make your NIST AI RMF journey as smooth as possible.
Your GRC team, multiplied and AI-backed.
Modern compliance for the evolving education landscape.
Ready to simplify healthcare compliance?
Don’t let compliance turn into a bottleneck in your SaaS growth.
Find the right compliance frameworks for your business in minutes
Ready to see what security-first GRC really looks like?
Real-time visibility into every asset
Ready to simplify fintech compliance?
The Scrut Platform helps you move fast, stay compliant, and build securely from the start.
Scrut helps you set up a security program that scales with your business and stands up to audits. Without last-minute chaos.
Scrut helps you streamline audits, close deals faster, and stay ahead of risk without slowing down your team. Because trust shouldn’t take months to earn.
Scrut helps you set up a security program that scales with your business and stands up to audits. Without last-minute chaos.
Tag, classify, and monitor assets in real time—without the manual overhead.
Whether you're entering new markets or launching new products, Scrut helps you stay compliant without slowing down.
Scrut pulls compliance data straight from the tools you already use—so you don’t have to dig for evidence, chase approvals, or manually track controls.
Less manual work, more customizability. The Scrut Platform gives you everything you need to align your compliance to your business’s priorities.
With Scrut, you’re not just adding a tool to your offering—you’re adding a competitive edge. Join our Partner Network and help your clients streamline their GRC program.
Gaining trust is your first step to growing and cracking better deals. The Scrut Platform comes pre-built with all the tools you need to showcase a firm security posture and build confidence.
Don’t settle for rigid systems—Scrut ensures your risk management strategy is as flexible as your business needs.
Start building a security-first culture. Save your operations from improper training and a lack of compliance awareness.
Scrut fast-tracks compliance so you can focus on scaling, not scrambling. Automate compliance tasks and accelerate enterprise deals—without the grind.
Automate assessments, track compliance, and get full visibility into third-party risk—all in one place.
Scrut automates compliance tasks, supports proactive risk management, and saves you time, so you can focus on growing your business. Start building trust with customers and scaling confidently.
Leave legacy GRC behind. Meet the AI-powered platform built for teams managing risk and compliance in real time.
Give auditors direct access, keep track of every request, and manage audits effortlessly—all in one place.
Scrut ensures access permissions are correct, up-to-date, and fully compliant.
Whether you need fast results or a fully tailored program mapped to your risks and needs, Scrut delivers exactly what you need, when you need it. Ready to start?
Scrut unifies compliance across all your frameworks, so you can stop juggling systems and start scaling securely.
Manually managing your compliance processes and audits can get inefficient and overwhelming. Scrut automates these outdated, manual processes and eliminates your last-minute worries.
Access automated compliance, real-time risk tracking, and expert-backed support—all in one platform. Get started with Scrut!
Less manual work, more customizability. The Scrut Platform gives you everything you need to align your compliance to your business’s priorities.
The Scrut Platform helps you move fast, stay compliant, and build securely from the start.
Earn trust and back it up with solid evidence. Scrut takes you through the SOC 2 compliance journey step-by-step, navigating every complexity you face.
Manage your PCI DSS compliance with real-time monitoring and effortless automation. Get started with Scrut today!
Securing your PHI shouldn’t be a constant hassle. Scrut automates your workflows—from risk assessments to monitoring—so you can put your compliance worries on the back burner.
Automate security controls, simplify audits, and keep your ISMS aligned with the latest standards. Get started with Scrut!
Tackle potential AI risks with NIST AI RMF-compliant controls and get expert support every step of the way.
Offload the grunt compliance work to us. Execute manual, draining GRC tasks with the reliable AI-powered Scrut Teammates without switching contexts or bottlenecks.
Whether you're managing student data, partnering with educational institute, or expanding to new geographies—Scrut gives you the tools to stay compliant, manage risk, and build trust at every step.
Scaling healthcare doesn’t have to come at the cost of security. Scrut keeps your organization compliant, audit-ready, and protected—no matter how fast you grow.
Scrut automates the hard parts of compliance and security so you can move fast and stay ahead of risks from day one.
The Scrut Platform helps you move fast, stay compliant, and build securely from the start.
Growth in fintech comes with heavy scrutiny. Scrut helps you stay compliant, audit-ready, and secure—without slowing down your momentum.



