Secure Controls Framework (SCF)
Common control language and mappings.
ISG Unified Security & Risk Framework
ISG Unified Security & Risk Framework (USR)
Measure Once. Govern Intelligently. Operate Securely.
USR is a proprietary, practitioner-engineered framework that integrates leading security, risk, and governance standards into a single operating model. It aligns executive oversight, technical controls, and evidence flows so programs are defensible, resilient, and built for modern enterprise risk.
Unified control language
Risk-first operating model
Audit-ready evidence
Executive-ready reporting
Why USR Exists
Enterprise security teams need a single operating model.
USR was built to unify the standards, decisions, and evidence that most organizations manage separately. It resolves the friction that slows delivery and compromises resilience.
- Parallel compliance efforts (SOC 2, ISO, HIPAA, PCI, internal)
- Conflicting risk language across security/audit/leadership
- Controls implemented for compliance with limited operational value
- Framework fatigue among engineering and ops
- Paper programs that fail under pressure
What USR Unifies
Leading standards, one control language.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
Strategy alignment and maturity model.
NIST SP 800-53 & 800-30
Control rigor and risk methodology.
CIS Critical Security Controls
Prioritized safeguards.
COBIT 2019
Governance, accountability, business alignment.
Core Design Principles
USR is engineered for action, not just compliance.
- Measure Once, Comply Many — SCF control IDs + mapped obligations.
- Risk-First, Not Compliance-First — compliance as outcome of risk mgmt.
- Governance-to-Operations Continuity — policy → risk → control → evidence.
- Plain-Language Risk Communication — probability, impact, velocity, pervasiveness.
Framework Structure
Five domains that anchor the operating model.
Governance & Oversight
- Board and executive accountability
- Policy lifecycle and approvals
- Decision cadence and escalation
- Program health reporting
Risk Management
- Risk profiling and taxonomy
- Assessment methodology
- Risk treatment and prioritization
- Residual risk acceptance
Security Architecture & Controls
- Control catalog and mappings
- Architecture guardrails
- Control ownership and implementation
- Standards-aligned control testing
Security Operations
- Monitoring and detection
- Incident response readiness
- Threat intelligence integration
- Operational reporting
Compliance & Assurance
- Evidence collection and validation
- Audit readiness workflows
- Continuous control monitoring
- Assurance reporting and remediation
How 3HUE ISG Uses USR
Embedded across every managed security and risk program.
Used by ISG to design, operate, and scale:
- Fractional & Virtual CISO program strategy and execution
- Managed Program Operational Workloads (ISP,RMP,VCP,CIRP)
- Regulatory and assurance readiness (SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, CMMC)
- Secure Engineering & Architecture initiatives
- Deployed ISMS and GRC-management systems
Embedded into
- Risk registers
- Control catalogs
- Architecture reviews
- Incident response programs
- Executive reporting and dashboards
Use Cases
Aligned outcomes for every stakeholder.
Executive & Board
- Unified risk narrative
- Governance cadence reporting
- Decision-ready risk profiles
- Cross-framework visibility
Security & IT Leadership
- Single control language
- Operationalized risk management
- Security program maturity tracking
- Clear ownership and accountability
Engineering & Operations
- Reduced framework fatigue
- Actionable control requirements
- Prioritized remediation backlog
- Evidence automation alignment
Audit & Compliance
- Audit-ready evidence pipeline
- Multi-standard mapping clarity
- Continuous readiness reporting
- Faster audit response cycles
Why Unified Beats Single-Framework
USR outperforms isolated frameworks.
| Single-framework approach | USR unified approach |
|---|---|
| Optimized for one purpose | Optimized for the organization |
| Creates silos | Eliminates silos |
| Compliance-driven | Risk-driven |
| Static | Adaptive |
| Tool-centric | Outcome-centric |
| Audit-focused | Operationally defensible |
No single framework was designed to handle modern digital risk alone. USR operationalizes the reality.
Strategic Advantage
Enterprise outcomes, faster.
Reference & Lineage
USR integrates leading standards into a single operating model.
Ready to unify security, risk, and compliance?
Schedule a briefing to align your priorities with a fast-start assessment and a clear roadmap.