Enterprise Cybersecurity Posture Assessment Playbook

Executive Summary

This playbook provides a structured process for assessing an enterprise’s cybersecurity posture in alignment with the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) 3.2. It guides security teams through preparation, risk management, protection, detection, incident minimization, and post-assessment review, ensuring compliance with CAF objectives (A: Managing Security Risk, B: Protecting Against Cyber Attack, C: Detecting Cyber Security Events, D: Minimising the Impact of Cyber Security Incidents). The process evaluates governance, controls, monitoring, and resilience to identify gaps and drive improvements, protecting critical systems and data.

Assessment Checklist

The following checklist summarizes key actions for conducting a cybersecurity posture assessment per NCSC CAF 3.2.

• Preparation
  • Define assessment scope.
  • Assemble assessment team.
  • Develop assessment plan.
• Risk Management Assessment
  • Review security governance.
  • Identify critical assets.
  • Assess cyber risks.
• Protection Assessment
  • Evaluate protective controls.
  • Assess access controls.
  • Review staff training.
• Detection Assessment
  • Assess monitoring systems.
  • Review log collection.
  • Test detection alerts.
• Incident Minimization Assessment
  • Review incident response plan.
  • Assess backup processes.
  • Test recovery procedures.
• Post-Assessment Review
  • Compile assessment report.
  • Develop improvement plan.
  • Monitor improvement progress.

1. Preparation

Prepare the organization for a comprehensive cybersecurity posture assessment aligned with NCSC CAF 3.2.

Define Assessment Scope

• Identify critical systems, networks, and services to assess (CAF A1: Governance).
• Include third-party dependencies and supply chain elements (CAF A4: Supply Chain).
• Document scope boundaries (e.g., specific departments, data types).

Assemble Assessment Team

• Engage stakeholders from IT, security, compliance, and leadership (CAF A1: Governance).
• Assign roles (e.g., lead assessor, data analyst, report writer).
• Ensure team understands CAF 3.2 objectives and outcomes.

Develop Assessment Plan

• Create a timeline for assessing CAF objectives (A, B, C, D).
• Define methodologies (e.g., interviews, audits, technical scans).
• Obtain leadership approval for the plan and resources.

2. Risk Management Assessment

Assess governance, asset management, and risk processes per CAF Objective A: Managing Security Risk.

Review Security Governance

• Evaluate security policies, roles, and responsibilities (CAF A1: Governance).
• Check if a senior accountable officer oversees cybersecurity.
• Document gaps in governance structure or accountability.

Identify Critical Assets

• Inventory assets supporting critical services (CAF A2: Asset Management).
• Include systems, data, and third-party services (CAF A4: Supply Chain).
• Verify asset criticality and ownership are documented.

Assess Cyber Risks

• Conduct a risk assessment aligned with CAF A3: Risk Management.
• Identify threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts to critical assets.
• Evaluate risk treatment plans and mitigation measures.
• Notify third parties if their systems are involved in risks. Example:
  Subject: Request for Information Regarding Cybersecurity Assessment Dear [Third-Party Contact], We are conducting a cybersecurity posture assessment aligned with NCSC CAF 3.2. Our review has identified your system ([domain.com or service]) as part of our supply chain. To assist our assessment, please provide details on: - Security controls protecting [system/service] - Incident response processes - Recent audit or compliance results Please respond by [deadline] or contact us for clarification. This information will support our compliance and security efforts. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Organization] [Contact Information]
  Copy to Clipboard
• Log notifications and retain copies for records.

3. Protection Assessment

Evaluate protective measures per CAF Objective B: Protecting Against Cyber Attack.

Evaluate Protective Controls

• Assess firewalls, endpoint protection, and encryption (CAF B1: Service Protection).
• Verify patch management processes (CAF B4: Vulnerability Management).
• Document gaps in technical controls or configurations.

Assess Access Controls

• Review IAM policies, MFA, and least-privilege enforcement (CAF B2: Identity and Access Management).
• Check for unauthorized accounts or excessive permissions.
• Evaluate third-party access controls (CAF A4: Supply Chain).

Review Staff Training

• Assess cybersecurity awareness programs (CAF B5: Staff Awareness).
• Verify training frequency and coverage for all staff, including contractors.
• Document gaps in training content or participation.

4. Detection Assessment

Evaluate detection capabilities per CAF Objective C: Detecting Cyber Security Events.

Assess Monitoring Systems

• Review SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection tools (CAF C1: Security Monitoring).
• Verify monitoring covers critical assets and third-party systems.
• Document gaps in monitoring coverage or tool integration.

Review Log Collection

• Check log collection for systems, applications, and network devices (CAF C1: Security Monitoring).
• Ensure logs are retained for sufficient duration per policy.
• Identify missing or incomplete log sources.

Test Detection Alerts

• Simulate events to test alert generation and response (CAF C2: Proactive Detection).
• Verify alerts are prioritized and escalated appropriately.
• Document false positives or detection delays.

5. Incident Minimization Assessment

Assess resilience and recovery per CAF Objective D: Minimising the Impact of Cyber Security Incidents.

Review Incident Response Plan

• Evaluate the incident response plan for clarity and coverage (CAF D1: Response Planning).
• Verify roles, communication protocols, and escalation paths.
• Check third-party response coordination (CAF A4: Supply Chain).

Assess Backup Processes

• Review backup frequency, storage, and encryption (CAF D2: Recovery Planning).
• Verify backups cover critical systems and data.
• Document gaps in backup scope or testing.

Test Recovery Procedures

• Conduct tabletop exercises or simulations (CAF D2: Recovery Planning).
• Measure recovery time and data integrity post-recovery.
• Identify weaknesses in recovery processes or documentation.

6. Post-Assessment Review

Document findings, prioritize improvements, and monitor progress.

Compile Assessment Report

• Summarize findings across CAF objectives (A, B, C, D).
• Highlight strengths, gaps, and risks with evidence (e.g., logs, interviews).
• Distribute the report to leadership and stakeholders.

Develop Improvement Plan

• Prioritize remediation actions based on risk severity (CAF A3: Risk Management).
• Assign owners and deadlines for each action.
• Align improvements with CAF outcomes and business priorities.

Monitor Improvement Progress

• Track remediation tasks using a project management tool.
• Conduct follow-up assessments to verify improvements (CAF A1: Governance).
• Document progress and update stakeholders regularly.

Additional Notes

This playbook aligns with NCSC CAF 3.2, ensuring a robust assessment of enterprise cybersecurity posture.