Our Manifesto Statement
“As cybersecurity threats grow more complex, securing our digital infrastructure becomes a moral imperative. ISAUnited is committed to building robust, engineering-driven standards that empower security architects, engineers, and organizations to protect what matters most. Guided by our philosophy of clarity, discipline, and practicality, we aim to create standards that are technically rigorous, accessible, and actionable for professionals across the industry. To achieve this, we ensure collaboration with organizations across all industries and academic institutions, uniting diverse perspectives to foster innovation and inclusivity. Our approach ensures robust security is achievable without unnecessary complexity, fostering confidence and consistency in cybersecurity architecture”.
Standards in Engineering Disciplines: A Model for Cybersecurity
In well-established fields like civil engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, and medical devices, standards organizations play a critical role in shaping practice. Each sector has dedicated Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) - such as ASCE.org, ATSM.org, IEEE.org, and ASME.org—that rigorously define technical specifications, safety protocols, and design principles. These standards ensure consistency, safety, and quality across practices, empowering engineers and designers to develop solutions that meet universally recognized benchmarks.
The Gap in Cybersecurity Standards
In contrast, the cybersecurity industry continues to face unique challenges. Unlike traditional engineering disciplines, cybersecurity has only a few standardized frameworks, most focusing on compliance rather than technical security implementation or architectural integrity. While frameworks like NIST and ISO set essential baseline requirements, they often lack the depth of technical specifications that other engineering fields rely on to guide design and system architecture.
Most current frameworks provide only high-level controls in brief statements without additional guidance, leaving much to interpretation. As a result, cybersecurity practices can vary widely, leading organizations to adopt fragmented approaches and leaving security gaps that adversaries can exploit.
Building on NIST and ISO: ISAUnited’s Approach
Cybersecurity still relies largely on foundational frameworks like NIST and ISO, which focus on essential baseline controls and compliance. ISAUnited builds on these respected standards, using their guidance to align security architecture practices with global best practices. However, we aim to address the gaps by expanding the focus to include in-depth technical specifications and prioritizing engineering and architectural detail.
Our new standards initiative will provide cybersecurity practitioners with technical precision to construct robust and resilient security architectures. By bridging the gap, ISAUnited will support a more standardized, cohesive approach to cybersecurity.
ISAUnited: The First SDO for Security Architecture and Engineering
As the first dedicated Standards Development Organization (SDO) for Enterprise Security Architecture, ISAUnited brings cybersecurity the same rigor and technical guidance as traditional SDOs in other fields. Our standards are designed to support security architects, engineers, and IT professionals in creating resilient, unified architectures that stand up to modern threats.
Through ISAUnited, we are building a framework that fosters consistent, high-quality security practices, offering clarity and conformity to an industry needing robust, standard guidance.
A Foundation for the Future
As the cybersecurity industry confronts increasingly complex threats, ISAUnited’s standards will be the backbone for effective and secure design practices, aligning cybersecurity with technical excellence in civil, mechanical, and other engineering disciplines. This isn’t just a new set of guidelines; it’s a transformation. ISAUnited will be the foundation for modern, secure architecture, establishing a gold standard in cybersecurity technical standards and ushering in a new era of clarity, consistency, and security.
Join Us in Shaping a Stronger, More Secure Future
With ISAUnited, we are setting standards and elevating the entire cybersecurity field—empowering organizations to meet the challenges of today’s digital landscape with confidence and rigor. Join us as we build a stronger, more secure future and promote the respect that cybersecurity engineering deserves.