How to Explain CIS Controls or NIST to a Non-Technical SMB Client Cybersecurity frameworks like CIS Controls and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework are critical for IT governance. But for small businesses, these frameworks can often seem overly technical or difficult to apply. In this video, we’ll show you how to explain NIST vs CIS in simple, business-friendly terms to help them understand how these two secure their IT environments. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne’s IT video hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. What are CIS Controls and NIST? A simple way to explain NIST vs CIS is this: “NIST is the security roadmap, while CIS is the daily IT checklist.” To be more in-depth, NIST shows where your security program currently is and where it needs to go. It will have checkpoints and goals to ensure that your security program is heading in the right direction. CIS Controls focus on concrete actions such as patching, MFA protection, endpoint protection, and admin access control. These can be recurring tasks, typically daily tasks that ensure you're following your NIST framework Explaining CIS Controls and NIST Clearly In this chapter, we'll go through tips for when you explain CIS Controls and NIST to your SMB clients. Start with Business Risk, Not Framework Names Our first tip is to start explaining how CIS controls and NIST mitigate security risks. Instead of starting with technical definitions, open the conversation with what they care about. This can be anything between avoiding ransomware downtime, protecting revenue, qualifying for cyber insurance, and maintaining customer trust. Use Business Analogies Now that they have a basic understanding of both concepts, you can explain further using business analogies. Describe NIST as a six-part business health plan built around the functions Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Then explain CIS as the daily security maintenance checklist, which is similar to locking doors, checking alarms, and regularly updating systems. Tie Frameworks to Real Outcomes Next, demonstrate how CIS and NIST drive business results. Examples you can give include reduced ransomware risk via patching and MFA. Faster recovery due to backup support. Increased protection because of access controls and improved cyber insurance eligibility due to compliance alignment. Pro-tip: tie your explanations to visible actions, such as showing a simple task automation. This helps demonstrate that security safeguards are active, measurable, and aligned with the organization's goals. Explaining NIST and CIS doesn’t require technical jargon. Focus on business protection, use simple analogies and demonstrate measurable security progress. For more information, check out our official blog post on How to Explain CIS Controls or NIST to a Non-Technical SMB Client Linked in the description below.