- Original Registration Date: 2015-05-10
- Effective Date: 2024-05-10
- Latest Revision Date: 2024-04-24
- Expiry Date: 2027-05-09
CSA (Cloud Security Alliance) STAR (Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk)
With so much sensitive information now being stored in the cloud, keeping it safe weighs heavily on the minds of both cloud service providers (CSP) and cloud customers. Offered by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the Security Trust Assurance and Risk (STAR) program is considered a gold standard in cloud security assurance. CSA Security Trust, Assurance and Risk is the most powerful security assurance program for the cloud. Its program encompasses important principles of rigorous auditing, transparency, and a combination of standards. Organizations who use CSA STAR show that they are dedicated to best practices and validate the secure posture of their cloud offerings. It also enables solution providers to offer proof to current and future customers of the controls in place. This program is based on three foundational tools which bring instant credibility in security circles. The first, CSA’s Cloud Control Matrix (CCM), is considered the de facto standard for cloud security and compliance and outlines all cloud-specific security controls. The second, the Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ), provides a list of 295 questions for cloud customers to ask their providers to gauge CCM compliance. The third, the CSA’s Code of Conduct for GDPR Compliance, is a robust guide created to assist organizations in GDPR adherence.
What Are the Benefits of CSA STAR Compliance?
Cloud service providers obtaining a CSA STAR certification can expect to better build, establish, and maintain robust security programs while solidifying their position as trusted cloud vendors. They can expect to see accelerated sales cycles and to grow their business helping new customers navigate secure cloud adoption. STAR-certified CSPs enjoy being part of a global database that’s viewed as a trusted marketplace by cloud customers. Equally important is that the CSA STAR program can be leveraged as an organization’s integrated security system—demonstrating an advanced level of cloud governance and compliance. CSA STAR maps to multiple standards and regulations, effortlessly blending multiple frameworks for an integrated security system that helps eliminate compliance gaps and avoid unmitigated risks. If your organization already holds other compliance initiatives such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, or GB/T22080-2008n, you can add STAR certification to make any of these specific to cloud environments. Hyperproof’s crosswalks feature allows you to do this dramatically faster and with ease.
