With cyber threats reaching unprecedented levels and data breaches affecting millions of organizations worldwide, implementing robust security frameworks has never been more critical. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides two distinct benchmark levels to help organizations protect their IT infrastructure; but which one is right for your business?

This blog is a follow-up to my previous article: Securing Your Apple Fleet: Why CIS Benchmarks Are Essential for Modern Organizations

This comprehensive guide breaks down the key differences between CIS Level 1 and Level 2, helping you make an informed decision that balances security needs with operational requirements.

Topics

• What are CIS Benchmarks?
• Understanding CIS Level 1: Essential Security for Everyone
• Understanding CIS Level 2: Advanced Security for High-Risk Environments
• Side-by-Side Comparison: CIS Level 1 vs Level 2
• Industry-Specific Applications
• How to Choose the Right CIS Level
• Implementation Best Practices
• The Future of CIS Benchmarks
• Conclusion

What are CIS Benchmarks?

Before diving into the differences, let’s establish the foundation. CIS Benchmarks from the Center for Internet Security (CIS) are a set of globally recognized and consensus-driven best practices to help security practitioners implement and manage their cybersecurity defenses. These guidelines are developed by a global community of security experts and are designed to help organizations proactively safeguard against emerging risks.

CIS Benchmarks are essentially checklists of best practices for IT security. They outline security configurations for operating systems, databases, applications, and more. What makes them particularly valuable is that they’re free, globally recognized, and can be customized to meet the needs of almost any organization.

Understanding CIS Level 1: Essential Security for Everyone

What is CIS Level 1?

Configuration recommendations for the Level 1 profile are basic security recommendations for configuring IT systems. They are easy to follow and do not impact business functionality or uptime. Think of Level 1 as your security foundation—it provides essential protections without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Key Features of CIS Level 1

1. Strong Password Policies

• Enforces complex passwords to prevent weak credentials
• Requires regular password changes to minimize unauthorized access risks
• Prevents common password vulnerabilities like dictionary attacks

2. Account Management

• Disables guest and unused accounts to prevent unauthorized system access
• Reduces attack vectors by removing unnecessary entry points

3. Network Protection

• Enables firewalls by default to block malicious traffic
• Restricts unnecessary internet connections to minimize exposure

4. Attack Surface Minimization

• Disables unneeded services, ports, and protocols
• Prevents attackers from exploiting unused software or configurations

Impact on Operations

The beauty of CIS Level 1 lies in its minimal operational impact. CIS Level 1 security settings balance protection and usability. Most users won’t see any slowdowns or disruptions. Performance remains virtually unchanged, making it an ideal starting point for organizations new to structured security frameworks.

Who Should Use CIS Level 1?

Organizations who only need to achieve a basic level of cybersecurity often find value in implementing Level 1 CIS Benchmarks. This includes:

• Small and medium-sized businesses with limited cybersecurity resources
• Organizations without critical systems handling personally identifiable information (PII)
• Companies seeking basic regulatory compliance
• Businesses wanting to establish a security foundation without operational disruption

Understanding CIS Level 2: Advanced Security for High-Risk Environments

What is CIS Level 2?

Level 2 profile configuration recommendations work best for highly sensitive data where security is a priority. Implementing these recommendations requires professional expertise and diligent planning to achieve comprehensive security with minimal disruptions.

Level 2 builds upon all Level 1 controls while adding more stringent security measures designed to protect against sophisticated threats.

Key Features of CIS Level 2

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Users must verify identity through multiple authentication factors
• Protects against phishing and credential theft attacks
• Adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords

2. Restricted Administrative Access

• Limits who can perform critical system changes
• Implements role-based access control (RBAC)
• Reduces insider threats by restricting admin privileges

3. Advanced Logging and Monitoring

• Enables detailed event logging to track system activity
• Helps with forensic investigations by logging security events
• Integrates with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems

4. Strict System Hardening

• Enforces disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault) to protect stored data
• Requires secure boot mechanisms to prevent malware loading
• Prevents unauthorized software and scripts from running

Impact on Operations

Unlike Level 1, Level 2 can have more noticeable operational impacts:

• Stricter Access Controls: Users may experience delays due to MFA or limited privileges
• Higher Resource Usage: Advanced logging and monitoring consume more storage and processing power
• Increased Administrative Overhead: IT teams must manage complex configurations and audit logs

Who Should Use CIS Level 2?

Level 2 CIS Benchmarks are more comprehensive than Level 1, and implementing them often requires more testing and operational changes. Organizations that handle more sensitive data or are at a greater risk for cybersecurity threats often opt to implement Level 2 CIS Benchmarks. This includes:

• Enterprise organizations with complex IT environments
• Organizations hosting critical infrastructure (energy, communications, healthcare)
• Regulated industries like healthcare and financial services
• Government agencies and high-risk organizations
• Companies handling sensitive data requiring strict compliance

Side-by-Side Comparison: CIS Level 1 vs Level 2

Industry-Specific Applications

CIS Level 1 Use Cases

Healthcare & Life Sciences

• Ensures HIPAA compliance through password policies and firewall protection
• Protects patient data by disabling guest accounts and implementing basic access controls
• Secures hospital networks and IoT-enabled medical devices

Financial Services & Banking

• Protects customer transactions with real-time monitoring
• Ensures compliance with PCI DSS and SOX regulations
• Prevents phishing and fraud attacks through URL filtering

Retail & E-Commerce

• Secures Point of Sale (POS) systems from malware
• Ensures safe online transactions and consumer data privacy
• Complies with PCI DSS standards through secure network configurations

CIS Level 2 Use Cases

Government & Defense

• Protects classified data with advanced encryption standards (AES-256)
• Complies with NIST 800-53, FISMA, and FedRAMP requirements
• Prevents state-sponsored cyberattacks through intrusion prevention systems

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

• Safeguards Electronic Health Records (EHRs) with role-based access control
• Ensures FDA cybersecurity compliance through detailed system logging
• Protects biomedical research and intellectual property

Energy & Critical Infrastructure

• Secures power grids, water systems, and transportation networks
• Prevents ransomware and nation-state attacks through zero-trust policies
• Complies with NERC CIP and ISO 27001 standards

How to Choose the Right CIS Level

Key Decision Factors

1. Risk Assessment

• What type of data does your organization handle?
• How attractive are you as a target to cybercriminals?
• What would be the impact of a successful cyberattack?

2. Regulatory Requirements

• Are you subject to specific compliance frameworks?
• Do you operate in a regulated industry?
• What are the penalties for non-compliance?

3. IT Resources

• Do you have dedicated cybersecurity professionals?
• Can your team handle complex security configurations?
• What’s your budget for security tools and training?

4. Business Impact Tolerance

• How much operational disruption can you accept?
• Are your users comfortable with additional security steps?
• What’s the balance between security and productivity?

Decision Framework

Choose CIS Level 1 if:

• You’re a small to medium-sized business
• You handle minimal sensitive data
• You have limited IT security resources
• You need basic compliance coverage
• You want to establish a security foundation without disruption

Choose CIS Level 2 if:

• You’re in a regulated industry (healthcare, finance, government)
• You handle sensitive or classified data
• You face high cybersecurity risks
• You have dedicated security professionals
• Compliance frameworks specifically require advanced controls

Consider a Hybrid Approach if:

• You have mixed risk environments
• Some systems handle more sensitive data than others
• You want to gradually increase security maturity
• Different business units have varying security needs

Implementation Best Practices

Getting Started with CIS Level 1

1. Conduct a baseline assessment to understand your current security posture
2. Prioritize quick wins like password policies and firewall configurations
3. Document your implementations for future audits and improvements
4. Train your team on new security procedures
5. Monitor compliance regularly to ensure configurations don’t drift

Advancing to CIS Level 2

1. Ensure Level 1 is fully implemented before moving to Level 2
2. Conduct thorough testing in non-production environments
3. Plan for user training on new security procedures like MFA
4. Implement gradually to minimize business disruption
5. Invest in monitoring tools to manage the increased complexity

Common Implementation Pitfalls to Avoid

• Implementing controls without understanding business impact
• Skipping testing phases and rushing to production
• Failing to train users on new security procedures
• Not documenting configuration changes
• Implementing controls in isolation without considering the bigger picture

The Future of CIS Benchmarks

CIS regularly updates its benchmarks to address the evolving threat landscape. Recent trends include:

• Cloud-specific guidance for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform
• Container security recommendations for Docker and Kubernetes
• Zero-trust architecture principles integration
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning security considerations

Organizations should stay current with benchmark updates and plan for evolving security requirements as their business and threat landscape changes.

Conclusion

Choosing between CIS Level 1 and Level 2 isn’t just about security—it’s about finding the right balance between protection, compliance, and operational efficiency for your organization.

Start with CIS Level 1 if you’re new to structured security frameworks or have basic security needs. It provides essential protections without disrupting business operations and serves as an excellent foundation for more advanced security measures.

Move to CIS Level 2 when you handle sensitive data, operate in regulated industries, or face sophisticated cyber threats. While more complex to implement, Level 2 provides the advanced protections necessary for high-risk environments.

Remember, security is a journey, not a destination. Many organizations successfully start with Level 1 and gradually implement Level 2 controls as their security maturity, resources, and risk profile evolve. The key is to begin somewhere and continuously improve your security posture based on your organization’s unique needs and circumstances.

By implementing either CIS Level 1 or Level 2 benchmarks, you’re taking a significant step toward protecting your organization against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats while maintaining the operational efficiency your business demands.

Ready to get started with CIS Benchmarks? Begin by downloading the relevant benchmarks for your systems from the Center for Internet Security website and conducting a baseline assessment of your current security posture. Remember, the best security framework is the one that’s actually implemented and maintained consistently.