Independent Cyber Audit Assurance for SEBI Regulated Entities
JointValues supports SEBI Regulated Entities in meeting mandatory cybersecurity compliance obligations under the Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) through independent Cyber Audit coordination and regulatory submission support.
Avoiding Conflict of Interest in Cyber Audit Engagements
SEBI’s Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) requires Cyber Security Audits to be conducted with complete independence and objectivity.
JointValues follows a strict independent audit‑only model.
JointValues does not engage in cybersecurity implementation, system deployment, policy development, or technology operations that may later become subject to audit evaluation. This ensures that Cyber Audits remain unbiased and fully aligned with regulatory expectations.
Audit independence may be compromised when the same organization:
Such situations effectively result in auditing one’s own work and conflict with accepted principles followed under:
JointValues maintains complete independence to deliver credible and regulator‑defensible Cyber Audit outcomes.
About SEBI Cyber Security & Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF)
The Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) establishes a unified cybersecurity framework applicable across all SEBI Regulated Entities.
Issued on 20 August 2024, CSCRF consolidates earlier cybersecurity circulars issued since 2015 and introduces a standardized, risk‑based approach to managing cyber risks within India’s securities market ecosystem.
The framework aims to:
CSCRF moves organizations beyond traditional IT security toward continuous cyber resilience and regulatory assurance.
Alignment with Global Standards
CSCRF incorporates globally accepted cybersecurity practices including:
This enables uniform cybersecurity expectations across SEBI intermediaries.
Key Focus Areas Under CSCRF
Mandatory Cyber Audit Requirement
Under CSCRF, SEBI Regulated Entities are required to:
Cyber Audit serves as the primary regulatory mechanism through which SEBI verifies cybersecurity compliance.
JointValues Conducts Cyber Audit as per CSCRF & Support Submission to SEBI
JointValues specializes exclusively in supporting organizations with CSCRF Cyber Audit execution and regulatory submission.
Our services include:
- CSCRF Cyber Audit coordination
- Audit readiness validation
- Compliance documentation review
- Coordination with CERT‑In empanelled auditors
- Audit observation clarification support
- Compilation of submission documents
- Assistance in timely submission to SEBI
Our focus is ensuring organizations meet mandatory regulatory obligations efficiently and confidently.
CSCRF Domains Covered During Cyber Audit
(What We Evaluate)
Cyber Audit evaluates compliance across key CSCRF control domains:
- Cyber Governance & CISO Framework
- IT Asset Inventory & Critical Systems
- Security Monitoring & SOC Operations
- Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing
- Data Protection & Localization Controls
- Application & API Security
- Software Supply Chain (SBOM)
- Cloud & Third‑Party Risk Management
- Incident Response & Reporting
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
- Cyber Capability Index (CCI) compliance
JointValues Cyber Audit Approach
(How We Execute)
- Validation of CSCRF applicability
- Documentation preparedness assessment
- Identification of compliance gaps
- Coordination with CERT‑In empanelled auditor
- Evidence validation and control verification
- Compliance assessment support
- Clarification of audit findings
- Documentation alignment assistance
- Audit report compilation
- Supporting compliance documentation
- Submission readiness within CSCRF timelines
Trusted Partner Ecosystem
JointValues focuses exclusively on independent Cyber Audit services.
Where technology enhancement or remediation actions are required, organizations may be connected with trusted cybersecurity implementation partners, while JointValues continues to maintain full audit independence.
This ensures:
- No conflict of interest
- Objective audit outcomes
- Efficient compliance closure
Who Requires CSCRF Cyber Audit?
CSCRF Cyber Audit requirements apply to most SEBI Regulated Entities including:
- Stock Brokers
- Depository Participants
- Portfolio Managers
- Investment Advisers
- Mutual Funds / AMCs
- Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
- Market Infrastructure Institutions
- Other SEBI registered intermediaries
Why JointValues
✔ Independent CSCRF Audit‑Only Focus
✔ Regulatory‑Aligned Methodology
✔ CERT‑In Auditor Coordination Expertise
✔ Faster Audit Closure Support
✔ Confidence in SEBI Submission Compliance
✔ Conflict‑Free Assurance Model