As digital assets become more mainstream, traditional security standards alone are not enough. Traditional frameworks such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II audits have long been considered the gold standard for information security and organizational controls. Although these frameworks are valuable, they were designed for general IT systems and enterprise data instead of cryptographic assets. 

This is why the CryptoCurrency Security Standard (CCSS) was developed. It introduces a crypto-specific framework focused on one of the critical elements in digital asset security: key material management.

Traditional Standards

Most organizations lean on traditional security standards because of their universal recognition and the broad assurance they provide to regulators, partners, and customers. These standards establish trust which demonstrates credibility in a wide range of industries.

• ISO 27001 establishes a structured framework for identifying risks, implementing security controls, and continuously improving governance across IT systems.
• SOC 2 Type II evaluates how effectively an organization’s controls operate over time, focusing on the core trust principles of security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

While these frameworks are valuable for general IT environments, they leave a critical gap when it comes to safeguarding digital assets.

CCSS: Designed for Cryptocurrency

The CryptoCurrency Security Standard (CCSS) addresses risks unique to the cryptographic key material used with blockchain-based systems. It establishes the conditions that must be met to ensure the secure generation of key material. It outlines the parameters for securely generating, storing, and using key material. 

The CCSS covers several aspects regarding key material including:

• Key Generation: Ensuring randomness, entropy, and verifiable secure processes.
• Key Storage: Protecting against single points of failure by enforcing redundancy and separation.
• Key Usage: Requiring multiple factors or parties to authorize transactions, minimizing insider and external threats.
• Auditability: Offering measurable, cryptographic-specific benchmarks rather than generic IT policies.

Traditional frameworks measure how organizations secure their systems broadly, while the CCSS focuses on safeguarding the key material protecting digital assets. 

Organizations securing digital assets should consider layering these standards, as each covers a different scope. Achieving ISO 270001 or SOC 2 certification establishes baseline trust with traditional partners and regulators, while CCSS certification demonstrates cryptographic key security to customers, exchanges, and custodians. Traditional security frames are broad and valuable, but the CCSS fills a critical gap by addressing key management practices that maintain trust in cryptographic systems. Together, they form a comprehensive defense that combines broad organizational security with specialized protection for digital assets.