Advancing Cybersecurity Standards
Cybersecurity continues to evolve rapidly, creating new challenges for organizations, technologies and critical infrastructure around the world. The ISC2 Standards Development Group (SDG) was established to help address these challenges through the development of consensus-based cybersecurity standards that support security, resilience and innovation.
Building on decades of experience developing globally respected certification standards, the SDG expands ISC2's ability to advance its vision of a safe and secure cyber world by bringing together experts and stakeholders to develop standards that benefit the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.
Why Standards Matter
Standards play an important role in promoting consistency, trust, interoperability and shared understanding across industries. As cybersecurity challenges become increasingly complex, organizations benefit from standards that help establish common approaches, improve security outcomes and support effective risk management.
Through the SDG, ISC2 provides a forum where diverse stakeholders can collaborate to address emerging cybersecurity challenges.
ANSI Accredited Standards Developer 
ISC2 is the first cybersecurity certification organization to be granted Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) status by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
The designation recognizes that ISC2 has demonstrated the organizational capability, governance structure and procedural framework necessary to develop technically sound, fair and broadly supported standards in accordance with ANSI requirements. ASD status enables ISC2 to develop, publish and maintain American National Standards through a recognized consensus-based process.
ANSI accreditation is awarded only to organizations that can demonstrate their standards-development procedures meet rigorous requirements for:
- Openness
- Balance
- Due process
- Consensus
- Right to appeal
These principles help ensure standards are developed fairly, transparently and with meaningful participation from affected stakeholders.
Why Standards Matter
Standards play an important role in promoting consistency, trust, interoperability and shared understanding across industries. As technologies and threats evolve, organizations increasingly rely on trusted standards to improve security outcomes, strengthen resilience and support innovation.
Through the SDG, ISC2 provides a forum where diverse stakeholders can collaborate to address emerging cybersecurity challenges through a transparent and consensus-based process.
Standards Development Principles
The ISC2 Standards Development Group follows ANSI-accredited procedures designed to ensure standards are developed through a transparent, balanced and inclusive process.
The SDG's standards-development activities are guided by:
- Open participation
- Balanced stakeholder representation
- Due process
- Consensus-based decision making
- Transparency and accountability
- The right to appeal
These principles help ensure standards are practical, credible and broadly supported by the communities they serve.
Participate in Standards Development
Effective standards are shaped by the expertise and experience of the communities they serve.
SDG brings together cybersecurity professionals, technology leaders, academics, researchers, government representatives, industry practitioners and other stakeholders to help identify challenges, develop standards and review proposed guidance. Opportunities may include:
- Serving on consensus bodies
- Participating in working groups
- Drafting and reviewing standards
- Providing technical expertise
- Identifying future standards-development opportunities
Whether you are an experienced cybersecurity leader, technical expert, researcher or practitioner, your perspective can help shape standards that strengthen cybersecurity outcomes around the world.
Interested in participating? Please fill out the form.
Questions? Email the SDG team at standardsdevelopment@isc2.org