Secure Controls Framework (SCF)

Name: Secure Controls Framework (SCF)

Type: Metaframework (framework of frameworks)

Authoritative Source:  Secure Controls Framework Council

Certification Available: Yes. The Secure Controls Framework Conformity Assessment Program (SCF CAP) enables organizations to obtain a third-party certification against SCF controls.

Too Long / Didn’t Read (TL/DR): The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) represents an evolution in cybersecurity governance as a metaframework that recognizes the overlapping, evolving demands organizations face. By providing a normalized catalog of richly mapped controls, maturity tools and a certification program, SCF enables organizations to build secure, compliant and resilient operations that support the actual needs of the organization.

Success with SCF demands thoughtful control selection, disciplined implementation and rigorous documentation. Control language, mapping and evidence become shared assets across functional teams. The SCF is designed not just about satisfying auditors, but about building operational resilience, managing risk more effectively and demonstrating a principled commitment to cybersecurity and data privacy.

For organizations balancing complex requirements across statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations, the SCF offers clarity and traction. The SCF CORE Fundamentals represents a tailored set of cybersecurity controls for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs), so the SCF has the ability to support organizations from the Fortune 100 all the way down to SMBs.

Cost To Use The SCF

The SCF is free to use. There is no subscription or software to buy. This makes the SCF very attractive for use in GRC tools.

Restrictions On Using The SCF

The free license to use the SCF is governed by the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License.

Origins of the Secure Controls Framework (SCF) - Origins and Purpose

The SCF emerged from a collaborative effort among volunteers and cybersecurity professionals who recognized the inefficiency and risk of siloed compliance with overlapping control sets. SCF’s origin dates back to its early volunteer-led development phase and its first public release in early 2018. Since then, the framework has matured through continuous updates in response to evolving legal landscapes and new standards.

Notably, SCF 2024.1introduced enhancements such as Set Theory Relationship Mappings (STRM), based on NIST IR 8477, to perform crosswalk mapping between different cybersecurity and data privacy laws, regulations and frameworks.

Governance is overseen by the SCF Council. The SCF Council also governs the SCF Conformity Assessment Program (CAP) in partnership with the Cyber AB, the designated Accreditation Body (AB) for the SCF CAP.

Purpose of the Secure Controls Framework (SCF)

The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is a comprehensive "Rosetta Stone" control framework designed to harmonize cybersecurity and data privacy requirements across the multitude of legal, regulatory, contractual and industry standards organizations face today. Rather than competing with well-established frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST SP 800‑53, or PCI DSS, SCF builds a unified catalog of over 1,000 controls, logically organized into 33 domains, that are mapped to more than 150 laws, regulations and frameworks.

The SCF serves as a flexible yet rigorous meta-framework, enabling organizations, particularly those with multiple compliance obligations, to consolidate controls, streamline governance and improve operational maturity. SCF’s design focuses on security, compliance and resilience, making it uniquely positioned for enterprises navigating complexity.

Strategic Value of SCF

  • Consolidation and efficiency: Organizations burdened with overlapping frameworks often gain significant efficiency by implementing SCF, avoiding redundant controls and documentation effort.
  • Scalability: Applicable to small, mid-size and large enterprises across sectors.
  • Future-proofing: With mappings updated regularly (quarterly updates), the SCF positions organizations to adapt as new frameworks emerge or are updated.
  • Vendor and third-party assurance: SCF-based evidence can satisfy Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) and/or regulator expectations.
  • Operational coherence: Shared control definitions and structure break down silos between security, privacy, risk and audit functions.

Industries and Organizations Likely to Use SCF

SCF’s meta-framework nature makes it appealing across sectors where organizations contend with multiple cybersecurity, privacy and assurance requirements. Industries that derive particular benefit include:

  • Cloud service providers / SaaS companies operating under NIST 800-171, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR and PCI DSS expectations.
  • Financial services and fintech firms operating under GLBA, SOX, NY DFS, or FFIEC regulations.
  • Healthcare and life sciences vendors navigating HIPAA, NIST 800-171, GDPR and research-specific controls.
  • Global enterprises with complex supply chains and varying geographic compliance obligations.
  • Manufacturing and OT operators seeking alignment across ISO, IEC, NIST and regulatory regimes.

SCF’s flexibility also scales down to Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) thanks to constructs like the SCF CORE Fundamentals, a lean control set aligned with NIST CSF 2.0 fundamentals, enabling organizations to begin responsibly and grow maturity over time. The SCF CORE Fundamentals is also designed to help SMBs comply with Texas’ “safe harbor law, SB 2610.

Structure and Core Capabilities - Control Catalog and Domains

At its core, SCF organizes controls into 33 domains (logical categories like access control, asset management, incident response, privacy, etc.) and encompasses well over 1,500 individual control criteria. This provides an expansive palette from which organizations can draw upon according to their compliance obligations and risk profile.

Meta-Framework Mapping

SCF functions as a Common Controls Framework (CCF)-style translation layer. Controls are mapped to nearly 150 external laws, regulations and frameworks including NIST CSF, ISO 27001/27002, NIST 800-171, TSC (SOC 2), GDPR, PCI DSS, COBIT, IEC 62443, HIPAA/HITECH and many others. This mapping streamlines compliance, where implementing a single SCF control may satisfy multiple obligations.

Governance Models: ICM, C|P-CMM, C|P-RMM

SCF introduces methodologies to manage controls over their lifecycle:

These built-in maturity and risk mechanisms distinguish SCF from other frameworks and metaframeworks.

Secure Controls Framework Conformity Assessment Program (CAP)

The SCF CAP is an organization-level conformity assessment that is designed to utilize tailored cybersecurity and privacy controls that specifically address the applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations an Organization Seeking Assessment (OSA) is required to comply with. By using the metaframework nature of the SCF, an OSA is able to perform conformity assessment that spans multiple cybersecurity and privacy-specific laws, regulations and frameworks.

The SCF CAP is focused on using the SCF as the control set to provide a company-level certification. While the SCF-CAP shares some similarities with other existing, single-focused certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, etc.), the SCF CAP is unique in its metaframework approach to covering cybersecurity and data protection requirements that span multiple laws, regulations and frameworks

Earning a SCF Certified™ conformity designation is meant to signify an accomplishment, rather than be viewed as a “participation ribbon” that has little practical value for the OSA or stakeholders in the OSA’s supply chain to understand the OSA’s security posture.

Common Methods to Implement The Secure Controls Framework (SCF)

  1. Scoping and Selecting Controls. Organizations begin by assessing applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations and internal risk drivers, then use SCF to select relevant controls designating them as “must have” or “nice to have” according to compliance needs and risk tolerance. This scoping process is explained in the Integrated Controls Management (ICM) model.
  2. Adopting CORE Fundamentals (for SMBs or initial phase). SMBs or those starting their cybersecurity journey may begin with the SCF CORE Fundamentals, a subset of 68 essential controls covering foundational security hygiene. These align closely with NIST CSF 2.0, providing a practical starting point.
  3. Maturity Planning and Evolution. Organizations establish baseline maturity (via C|P-CMM), implement controls, assess operating effectiveness and improve over time. The PDCA-aligned ICM model supports continuous monitoring and lifecycle management.
  4. Certification via SCF CAP. Organizations may choose to be assessed under SCF’s Conformity Assessment Program (CAP), yielding formal proof of compliance through SCF-specific certifications for internal controls that can be valuable in audits and vendor assurance.

Understanding The Value of Quality Cybersecurity Documentation in SCF Conformity

Documentation plays a pivotal role at every stage. Without it, neither design nor operating effectiveness can be demonstrated. Key artifacts include:

  • Control inventory and selection rationale. Documenting how each SCF control was chosen and mapped to external obligations.
  • Policies and procedures. Evidence of operationalization, including workflows, escalation paths and control ownership.
  • Evidence logs and records. Control testing results, incident logs, access reviewer records, change logs.
  • Maturity and risk assessments. Showing control effectiveness, gaps and improvement plans over time.
  • CAP audit artifacts. For those pursuing certification, documentation supports SCF CAP evaluation.

High-quality documentation ensures transparency, audit readiness and enables teams across security, privacy, legal and compliance to converge on a common controls language.