RegScale Joins CSA STAR Registry

As of November 2024, RegScale is now a Trusted Cloud Provider in the CSA STAR program. The certification represents a rigorous validation of our cloud security capabilities from the Cloud Security Alliance. To achieve the Trusted Cloud Provider designation, RegScale has demonstrated our third-party validated security practices, our enhanced trust and reliability in cloud ops, and our compliance with the CSA’s stringent standards. We’ve also been added to the CSA STAR Registry. 

The certification was supported by our Information System Security Officer, Cory Henrickson, whose achievement of the CSA Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) was instrumental in the STAR process. 

Setting a new benchmark in cloud security and compliance excellence

We’re thrilled to announce that RegScale has earned Cloud Security Alliance’s (CSA) STAR Level 1 certification (self-assessment), joining an elite group of organizations recognized for their commitment to cloud security. This means that RegScale has publicly documented its compliance with CSA’s Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM). 

This certification not only underscores our dedication to protecting sensitive data but also highlights the robust capabilities of our platform in streamlining and automating the compliance process. 

Level 1 documents the security controls provided by various cloud computing offerings, helping users assess the security of the cloud providers they currently use or are considering using. To achieve CSA STAR Level 1, RegScale submitted the Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ) to document compliance with the CCM. 

Understanding CSA STAR Certification: A Benchmark in Cloud Security

The CSA STAR (Security, Trust, Assurance, and Risk) registry is a globally recognized registry that evaluates the security practices of cloud service providers (CSPs). It is based on the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM), which incorporates leading industry standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-53. The certification process is comprehensive, covering critical aspects of cloud security, including data protection, identity management, and risk management. 

For tech companies and businesses relying on cloud services, achieving CSA STAR certification is a powerful endorsement of their security posture. It demonstrates a commitment to best practices in cloud security, assuring customers that their data is handled with the utmost care. 

Why CSA STAR Certification Matters in Today’s Cloud-Driven World

In an era of rapid cloud adoption across industries, ensuring that cloud environments are secure is paramount. The CSA STAR certification is more than just a badge of honor; it’s a vital tool for building trust with customers, especially those in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and government. These sectors often require stringent security measures, and the CSA STAR certification clearly signals that a CSP is equipped to meet these demands. 

Unlike other frameworks, CSA STAR is uniquely tailored to address the specific challenges associated with cloud security. While certifications like FedRAMP focus on government cloud services and ISO/IEC 27001 provides a broad approach to information security management, CSA STAR zeroes in on cloud environments’ unique risks and complexities. This makes it one of the most comprehensive and rigorous certifications available, positioning certified companies as leaders in cloud security. 

Key Benefits of CSA STAR Certification for Our Customers 

We relentlessly focus on our customers! To that end, achieving CSA STAR Level 1 certification brings numerous advantages as it guarantees that we adhere to the highest cloud security standards. It also simplifies our compliance processes, reduces risk, and builds trust—key factors for organizations operating in highly regulated industries.

As a leading continuous controls monitoring platform, the certification is a testament to our commitment to security excellence. It enhances our credibility in the market, differentiates us from competitors, and strengthens our brand as a leader in cloud compliance. Moreover, the certification process itself has reinforced our internal security practices, making our platform even more robust and secure. 

Participation in the STAR program provides multiple benefits, including indications of best practices and validation of security posture of cloud offerings. It consists of two levels of assurance (self-assessment and third-party certification), based upon: 

• The CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) v4, a cybersecurity control framework for cloud computing. It is composed of 197 control objectives that are structured in 17 domains covering all key aspects of cloud technology. It can be used as a tool for the systematic assessment of a cloud implementation, and provides guidance on which security controls should be implemented by which actor within the cloud supply chain. The controls framework is aligned to the CSA Security Guidance for Cloud Computing, and is considered a de-facto standard for cloud security assurance and compliance.
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Compliance with the EU Cloud Code of Conduct (CoC).

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From Extreme Automation to OSCAL: RegScale Accelerated the Certification Process

One of the most significant aspects of our journey to CSA STAR Level 1 certification was our ability to leverage our own continuous controls monitoring platform to streamline the process. Traditional methods of achieving risk and compliance certifications often involve manual, time-consuming tasks such as evidence collection, control mapping, and report generation. These processes are labor-intensive and prone to errors, which can delay certification and increase costs. 

With our platform, we automated these tasks, significantly reducing the time and effort required to complete the assessment. Our OSCAL-native platform and extreme automation capabilities allowed us to conduct a thorough self-assessment in just a fraction of the time typically required. This efficiency saved us time and reduced the burden on our team, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks.

How RegScale Sets the Stage for Future Success: The Path to Level 2 Certification

Achieving Level 1 certification is a significant accomplishment, and we’re already looking ahead to the next milestone: CSA STAR Level 2 certification. The next level involves an independent, third-party audit that provides even greater assurance of a company’s security practices. Our experience with Level 1 has positioned us well for this next step, and we’re confident that our RegScale platform will continue to play a crucial role in simplifying and accelerating the process. 

One key advantage of using our platform to accomplish this level is its ability to facilitate a “work once, apply to many” approach. By automating the collection and mapping of evidence across multiple frameworks, RegScale allows organizations to reuse data and streamline compliance efforts across different certifications and standards. This approach saves time and ensures consistency and accuracy, which are critical for achieving and maintaining certifications like CSA STAR. 

The Industry is Shifting from Manual Processes to Compliance as Code

The traditional approach to compliance, which often involves generating static reports, is increasingly becoming outdated in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. As cloud environments grow more complex and dynamic, there’s a growing need for more agile and responsive compliance methods. This is where the shift to Compliance as Code comes into play. 

Compliance as Code is a transformative approach integrating compliance checks directly into the software development lifecycle. By embedding security and compliance controls into the codebase, organizations can achieve continuous compliance, automatically aligning with evolving standards and regulations. This approach reduces the risk of non-compliance and allows organizations to respond more quickly to new threats and requirements. 

Adopting Compliance as Code represents a significant leap forward for CSA and the industries it serves. It moves compliance from a reactive, report-driven process to a proactive, integrated practice that can adapt in real time to changes in the security landscape. As a leader in cloud security, RegScale is at the forefront of this shift, helping organizations transition to more efficient and effective compliance strategies. 

RegScale’s Role in the Evolving Cloud Security Landscape

As cloud security frameworks like CSA STAR evolve, staying ahead of the curve will be essential for organizations looking to maintain their competitive edge. RegScale’s partnership with the Unified Compliance Framework (UCF) positions us as a critical player in this space, providing the tools and capabilities needed to navigate the complexities of cloud compliance. 

Our platform’s ability to automate and streamline the assessment process ensures that organizations can achieve and maintain compliance with CSA STAR and other frameworks. As new threats emerge and standards evolve, RegScale will continue to provide the support and solutions needed to keep organizations secure and compliant. 

What’s Next: Setting a New Standard in Cloud Security

Earning the CSA STAR Level 1 certification is a significant achievement for RegScale, but it’s just the beginning. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to cloud security and our dedication to providing our customers with the highest levels of protection. By leveraging our continuous controls monitoring platform, we’ve simplified the certification process and set ourselves up for continued success as we pursue Level 2 certification and beyond. 

As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving world of cloud security, we’re excited to build on this achievement and set new standards for the industry. Stay tuned as we work toward our next goal and continue to lead the way in cloud security and compliance.