What is a cybersecurity maturity model?

A cybersecurity maturity model serves as a structured framework that assists organizations in evaluating their current cybersecurity posture and identifying areas for enhancement. It typically outlines various levels or stages of maturity, which describe how advanced or effective an organization's cybersecurity practices are. This model helps organizations understand where they stand in terms of cybersecurity readiness, which is crucial for developing a strategic plan to improve their security measures and capabilities over time. By using such a model, organizations can establish benchmarks, prioritize their cybersecurity investments, and ultimately enhance their resilience against cyber threats.

The other options do not encapsulate the function of a cybersecurity maturity model. A set of security controls required by law refers to compliance requirements rather than assessment and improvement of cybersecurity practices. A classification of user roles in IACS deals with organizational structure rather than the evaluation of cybersecurity maturity. A list of malware threats focuses on identifying threats rather than assessing an organization's overall security capabilities or planning for enhancements.