Mastering the
cybersecurity
domain in 2025
A practical guide for tackling cyber threats
Free guide Download now
Contents
Introduction
03
The core domains of cybersecurity
05
Cybersecurity domains in practice: Regional frameworks and standards
10
Australia: Essential Eight and Information Security Manual (ISM)
11
European Union: NIS 2 Directive
12
US: NIST Cybersecurity Framework and SOC 2
13
Middle East: UAE National Information Assurance Framework and
Saudi Arabia Essential Cybersecurity Controls
15
Cybersecurity domains across industries
18
Building cybersecurity maturity through GRC integration
22
Common pitfalls in scaling cybersecurity
26
Best practices for successful cybersecurity domain implementation
28
The future of the cybersecurity domain
34
Streamline cybersecurity management with 6clicks
37
Revolutionize your solution offerings with the next-gen cyber GRC platform
39
Learn more about 6clicks
40
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01
Introduction
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In 2025, cybersecurity has evolved into a cornerstone of enterprise resilience, innovation, and
trust. No longer confined to IT departments, it now permeates every facet of business operations
—from supply chains and customer experiences to regulatory compliance and boardroom
strategies. The digital landscape is more interconnected and volatile than ever, with cyber threats
escalating in both frequency and sophistication.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s latest annual Internet Crime Report highlights the escalating
threat landscape, revealing that cybercrime resulted in over $16 billion in global losses in 2024 — a
stark 33% increase from previous records. This surge underscores the growing scale of
cyberattacks worldwide, emphasizing the need for enhanced cybersecurity strategies.
Global cybercrime cost organizations
$16 billion in 2024
For modern enterprises, cybersecurity is no longer optional; it's a strategic imperative. Aligning
cybersecurity initiatives with business objectives ensures that security measures support and
enhance organizational goals.
This guide can equip you with a comprehensive roadmap for navigating the cybersecurity
landscape, delving into its various domains, exploring real-world and regional applications, and
examining the alignment of cybersecurity with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). It will also
identify common pitfalls and best practices for domain implementation, provide an outlook for the
future of cybersecurity, and discuss how platforms like 6clicks can facilitate end-to-end
cybersecurity management for enterprises, advisors, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs).
Read on to discover how you can fortify your organization's cybersecurity
posture and thrive amid the complexities of the digital age.
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The core domains of cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is not a singular discipline—it spans multiple specialized areas or “domains” that
collectively form the foundation of a comprehensive and effective security program. Each domain
represents a critical aspect of safeguarding information, infrastructure, and operations against
various threats.
The concept of cybersecurity domains originates from the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK)
developed by ISC2, the organization behind the globally recognized CISSP (Certified Information
Systems Security Professional) certification. Originally outlined as ten domains, the framework has
since evolved into eight core domains that reflect the modern cybersecurity landscape,
spanning risk governance, data protection, secure development, continuous monitoring, and more.
Security and risk Domain
Domain
Asset security
management 1 2
Software Security
Domain
Domain
development architecture
security 8 3 and engineering
Core
cybersecurity
domains
Communication
Security Domain
Domain
and network
operations 7 4 security
Security assessment Domain
Domain
Identity and access
and testing 6 5 management (IAM)
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Understanding and prioritizing these domains is critical in an era where cybersecurity is both a
board-level concern and a business enabler. As threats grow more sophisticated and regulatory
expectations intensify, organizations must not focus on technical defenses alone but adopt a
holistic approach to ensure a robust and resilient security posture.
Here are the 8 security domains that play a unique role in minimizing risk, ensuring
regulatory compliance, and enabling secure business operations at scale:
1. Security and risk management
Security and risk management lays the strategic groundwork for an organization’s cybersecurity
efforts. It focuses on setting a governance framework, identifying and managing risks, embedding
security into the organization's culture, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
It is here that cybersecurity aligns with broader business objectives, ensuring that risk tolerance,
resource allocation, and incident response are all guided by informed decision-making.
Key elements include
Governance: Defining security roles, responsibilities, and accountabilit
Risk management: Identifying, analyzing, prioritizing, and mitigating risks using frameworks
like NIST RM
Compliance: Ensuring adherence to laws, regulations, and industry standards
(e.g., DORA, HIPAA, PCI DSS
Security awareness training: Building a human firewall by empowering employees against
phishing, social engineering, and insider threat
Conducting business impact analysis and disaster recovery plannin
Developing incident response and crisis management capabilities
2. Asset security
Asset security ensures that all critical information assets are properly identified, categorized,
protected, and managed throughout their lifecycle. It focuses not just on digital data but also
physical assets and the environments in which information resides.
Key elements include
Data classification: Categorizing data based on sensitivity and business value (e.g., public,
internal, confidential, restricted
Ownership and custodianship: Assigning clear responsibility for safeguarding informatio
Data protection: Implementing security controls such as encryption, access restrictions, and
backup strategie
Retention and disposal: Securely managing data lifecycle and ensuring compliance with
privacy and retention laws
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3. Security architecture and engineering
The Security architecture and engineering domain ensure that security is integrated into the
design of IT systems, networks, and infrastructure from the outset, not bolted on as an
afterthought. It involves designing secure frameworks, selecting appropriate controls, and ensuring
systems are resilient against attacks and failures. It covers the full stack — from the physical
hardware layer to application-level defenses.
Key elements include
Architecture models: Adopting strategies like defense in depth and zero trust which involve
implementing multiple layers of security controls and strict access control
System hardening: Reducing vulnerabilities in operating systems, networks, and endpoint
Cryptography: Selecting and implementing cryptographic solutions for confidentiality, integrity,
and non-repudiatio
Designing resilient systems that continue functioning during and after attack
Accounting for emerging technology risks (cloud computing, AI systems, Internet of Things)
4. Communication and network security
Communication and network security is about protecting information as it travels across networks,
ensuring it cannot be intercepted, altered, or disrupted by unauthorized actors.
As organizations increasingly rely on hybrid, multi-cloud, and mobile infrastructures, securing
communications becomes both more complex and more critical.
Key elements include
Network security design: Designing secure network architectures with segmentation, firewalls,
and access control
Secure protocols: Implementing encryption protocols like TLS, SSH, IPSec to protect data
in transi
Threat protection: Monitoring network traffic with intrusion detection/prevention systems
(IDS/IPS) and threat intelligence feed
Securing wireless and remote access (VPNs, secure remote desktop environments
Safeguarding communications at every layer — from physical cabling to cloud APIst
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