Cybersecurity Compliance Frameworks in the US (2025 Guide)
Stay ahead of evolving cybersecurity regulations in 2025. This guide breaks down the most widely adopted cybersecurity compliance frameworks in the U.S.—including SOC 2, HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and NIST—and explains how penetration testing supports your audit readiness, risk management, and regulatory obligations. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming assessment or building a scalable compliance program, this resource is tailored to help you navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity compliance.
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Why Cybersecurity Compliance Matters in 2025
Watch this 60-second overview — complete with subtitles — to understand why cybersecurity compliance matters more than ever in 2025.
It’s not just about meeting regulations — it’s about protecting trust, avoiding costly fallout, and staying competitive in a world where the stakes keep rising.
Prefer to dive deeper? You’ll find the full breakdown right next to the video.
No compliance, no customers
- SolarWinds lost U.S. federal clients after its 2020 breach exposed weak internal controls.
- Evolve Bank & Trust saw strained fintech partnerships following a 2024 ransomware attack.
- CardSystems was dropped by Visa and AmEx due to PCI non-compliance after a major breach.
Reputational Damage
- Cybersecurity breaches or non-compliance disclosures can cause lasting brand damage, especially in trust-driven sectors like finance, healthcare, or technology.
- Investor confidence and market value can plummet following high-profile cyber incidents.
Hefty Fines & Legal Penalties
- HIPAA violations can lead to civil penalties of up to $1.5 million per year, per violation category, with additional criminal charges possible for willful neglect.
- SEC enforcement actions are intensifying under new rules requiring disclosure of material cybersecurity incidents — noncompliance now risks public investigations, fines, and reputational fallout.
- PCI-DSS non-compliance can result in monthly penalties from payment processors, contract termination, and liability for breach-related costs (forensics, card reissuance, lawsuits).
Contractual Losses
- Non-compliance doesn’t just affect internal operations — it can cost you business. Organizations without SOC 2, ISO 27001, or CMMC readiness may be disqualified from enterprise RFPs or lose key accounts due to unmet security requirements.
- Public sector contracts, vendor onboarding processes, and partner agreements often require third-party testing documentation or proof of compliance. Without it, even technically sound solutions may be excluded from consideration.
Litigation & Liability
Failure to follow industry-recognized cybersecurity frameworks — such as NIST, SOC 2, or CIS Controls — may expose your organization to:
- Class-action lawsuits from affected customers
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- Breach-of-contract claims from clients or partners
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- Regulatory investigations and enforcement actions
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- Shareholder lawsuits for failing to disclose known cyber risks
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What is a Cybersecurity Compliance Framework?
A cybersecurity compliance framework is a structured set of guidelines, best practices, and security controls that organizations can follow to manage and reduce their cybersecurity risks. In the US, these frameworks are often used to demonstrate due diligence, align with regulatory requirements, and meet client/vendor security expectations.
Unlike one-size-fits-all checklists, a framework offers a flexible, scalable approach to cybersecurity — allowing organizations to align security efforts with their size, industry, and risk profile. While regulations — such as HIPAA, CMMC, or SEC cyber rules — are legally enforced. Many organizations use cybersecurity compliance frameworks to help satisfy the technical and procedural requirements of these regulations.
Security Controls
Defined measures to protect data, systems, and infrastructure, such as: Multi-factor authentication (MFA), Least privilege access, Data encryption (at rest and in transit)
Risk Assessments
Regular evaluations to identify, assess, and prioritize cyber risks. Often used to define the scope of technical testing (e.g., penetration testing).
Policies & Documentation
Clear, written policies and procedures — with proof of implementation — required for internal governance and audit readiness.
Monitoring & Incident Response
Systems for detecting, alerting, and responding to threats. Most frameworks require a documented and tested incident response plan (IRP).
Ongoing Compliance Activities
By mitigating potential attack vectors, penetration testing minimizes the risk of data breaches, a key factor in maintaining customer trust.
Federal vs State Compliance Obligations
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, businesses must navigate an increasingly complex landscape of federal and state-specific regulations. Understanding the distinction between these two layers is essential for achieving and maintaining compliance—especially for organizations operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Watch: Federal vs. State Cybersecurity Compliance – What You Need to Know in 2025
In This Video:
- 00:00 – Introduction: Why federal vs. state compliance matters.
- 00:13 – Key federal laws: HIPAA, GLBA, FISMA, SEC rules, NIST.
- 00:56 – State-specific laws: NYDFS 23 NYCRR 500, CPRA, Massachusetts, Texas.
- 01:42 – What varies across states: breach notifications, definitions, thresholds.
- 01:50 – Final takeaway: Building a strategy for multi-jurisdiction compliance.
Prefer reading? See the full breakdown below ↓
What Are Federal Cybersecurity Regulations?
Federal cybersecurity regulations establish baseline security standards across industries, particularly in sectors handling sensitive consumer data. These laws are enforced by federal agencies and often have nationwide applicability, regardless of where your business operates.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
Regulates the protection of electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) in healthcare and related industries.
GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act)
Governs the security and confidentiality of customer financial information for financial institutions.
FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act)
Applies to federal agencies and contractors, mandating strict security controls and risk assessments.
SEC Cybersecurity Rules
Newly updated to require publicly traded companies to disclose material cybersecurity incidents and detail their cybersecurity risk management strategies.
NIST Frameworks (e.g., NIST SP 800-53, NIST Cybersecurity Framework)
Though not laws, they are widely adopted as best practices and often referenced by federal agencies in enforcement and audits.
FDA Cybersecurity Compliance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces cybersecurity requirements for medical devices and digital health technologies to ensure they are safe, effective, and secure throughout their lifecycle.
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)
Required for organizations that contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across the defense supply chain.
State-Specific Cybersecurity Regulations
While federal laws provide broad mandates, states have begun enacting their own, often stricter, cybersecurity regulations—especially in areas where federal standards are minimal or outdated. Examples of Notable State Regulations:
- New York’s 23 NYCRR 500 (NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation)
Imposes detailed cybersecurity requirements for financial institutions operating under NYDFS jurisdiction, including annual penetration testing and multi-factor authentication. - California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) / California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
While privacy-focused, these laws require businesses to implement reasonable security measures to protect personal data—implying a cybersecurity component. - Massachusetts 201 CMR 17.00
Requires businesses that own or license personal information of Massachusetts residents to develop and maintain a comprehensive written information security program (WISP). - Texas Cybersecurity Framework
Applies to state agencies and includes compliance requirements aligned with NIST guidelines.
Top Industry-Standard Cybersecurity Compliance Frameworks in the U.S. ​
In the United States, organizations across industries face increasing pressure to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity — whether to meet legal obligations, pass audits, win contracts, or retain customer trust.
Here are the most widely adopted cybersecurity compliance frameworks that help U.S. companies meet these expectations:
- SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls Type 2)
SOC 2 is a widely adopted auditing standard for U.S.-based tech and SaaS companies. Developed by the AICPA - PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
A mandatory standard for any organization that stores, processes, or transmits credit card data in the U.S. - Â ISO/IEC 27001
An internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS). ISO 27001 is widely adopted by multinational and enterprise-level organizations, including those with U.S. operations, to prove a commitment to data security. - CIS Critical Security Controls
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) offers a practical, prioritized set of 18 controls that organizations can use to harden their cybersecurity posture.
The Role of Penetration Testing in Compliance Readiness
Penetration testing is a critical component of US compliance readiness — and in many frameworks, it’s not just recommended, it’s expected.
Here’s how it supports your compliance objectives:
- Control Validation
Confirms safeguards like firewalls and encryption are working. - Audit Support
Provides documentation for SOC 2, HIPAA, CMMC, and more. - Risk Identification
Finds and prioritizes vulnerabilities before others do. - Continuous Improvement
Meets continuous testing expectations in NIST CSF, PCI-DSS. - Demonstrating Due Diligence
Adds defensibility even when testing isn’t required.
At Vumetric, we align every test with your compliance framework—delivering clear, audit-ready results that reduce risk and strengthen ongoing compliance.
- Explore all our Penetration Testing Services to find the right fit for your needs. Or download the Buyer’s Guide to better understand how penetration testing drives compliance.
Featured Cybersecurity Compliance Resources
Gain insight on emerging hacking trends, recommended best practices and tips to improve your cybersecurity:
