Differences between the ENS and other international regulations

In an increasingly digital and technology-driven society, organizations, both public and private, must understand which regulatory frameworks and standards they are required to apply in order to protect information, comply with legislation, and build trust with customers and partners. Among these references, the National Security Framework (ENS) holds a central role in Spain, while other frameworks such as ISO 27001, those developed by NIST, or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) have a broader or different scope.

National Security Framwork (ENS): ¿What is It?

The National Security Framework (ENS) is a mandatory regulation in Spain that establishes principles, requirements, and minimum measures for protecting information and the systems that support electronic and administrative services. It is regulated by Royal Decree 311/2022 and applies to all Public Administrations, as well as to companies that provide them with technology and information systems–related services.

The main objectives of the ENS are:

• To ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and public services.
  
  
• To create conditions of trust in the use of electronic systems and services.
  
  
• To define protection levels based on risk (low, medium, high) in order to apply proportional measures.

This framework requires systems to be classified according to their impact and mandates the implementation of specific measures based on those levels. In addition, it requires the definition of policies, controls, and procedures, as well as the demonstration of compliance.

ISO 27001: ¿What is It?

ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS) within an organization. It is part of the ISO 27000 family of standards and is globally recognized.

Key features of ISO 27001

• Voluntary adoption: Implementing ISO 27001 is generally voluntary, although highly recommended.
  
  
• Applicability: It can be implemented in any organization, regardless of sector or size.
  
  
• Certification: It allows organizations to obtain official certification through an audit conducted by an accredited certification body.
  
  
• Risk management: It is based on a process of identifying, treating, and reviewing risks, with a focus on continuous improvement (PDCA cycle).

Comparison: Differences between the ENS and ISO 27001

An organization certified in ISO 27001 is well-positioned to meet many ENS requirements, but it does not necessarily fully comply with all of them without adapting specific practices and controls.

The NIST standard: Technical guide or regulation? 

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops a series of frameworks and guides, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and the NIST SP 800-53 catalog, that are widely used as references for managing cybersecurity risks. Unlike ISO 27001:

• There is no universal official certification; organizations perform self-assessments or may use internal audits to demonstrate compliance.
  
  
• It is more of a flexible reference framework than a regulatory standard, with functions and categories aimed at protecting assets according to operational risks.

GDPR: A privacy regulation, not a security management standard

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European regulation on the protection of personal data, legally binding in all EU countries since 2018. It establishes the rights of individuals and obligations for organizations that process the personal data of European citizens.

Differences with ENS/ISO 27001

• Focus: GDPR protects privacy rights and individual data freedoms, whereas ENS and ISO 27001 focus on information security.
  
  
• Mandatory Compliance: GDPR is law and applies to all organizations processing personal data, regardless of sector or size.
  
  
• Penalties: It imposes significant fines for non-compliance (up to a percentage of annual turnover).
  
  
• Certification: There is no mandatory official GDPR certification, although certification mechanisms and best practices exist.

Is applying multiple frameworks redundant or complementary

Different regulations and standards often partially overlap, but each adds value within its own scope:

• ISO 27001: Structures a robust ISMS with a risk-based approach.
  
  
• ENS: Adapts that control framework to the Spanish legal context for public services.
  
  
• NIST: Provides more detailed and prescriptive technical guidance.
  
  
• GDPR: Ensures respect for privacy rights and proper handling of personal data.

Integrating these frameworks into a comprehensive compliance program helps reduce duplication, better manage evidence, risks, and audits, and demonstrates that the organization not only protects information but also complies with laws and builds trust with customers and partners.