Custom Compliance Frameworks in GitLab allow organizations to define, implement, and enforce compliance standards tailored to their specific needs. This feature extends GitLab's built-in compliance capabilities by enabling teams to create customized frameworks that align with specific regulatory requirements, internal policies, or industry standards.

Key Benefits

• Unified Compliance Management: Map multiple, overlapping controls from different standards into a single framework, reducing complexity.
• Automated Enforcement: Embed compliance directly into CI/CD pipelines, ensuring real-time validation as code progresses through the pipeline.
• Out-of-the-Box Controls: Leverage over 50 pre-defined controls aligned with standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CIS Benchmarks.
• Simplified Audits: Automated evidence collection and reporting streamline the audit process, cutting preparation time significantly.

Implementing Custom Compliance Frameworks in GitLab

To effectively utilize Custom Compliance Frameworks, follow these steps:

1. Define Compliance Requirements

• Identify Applicable Regulations: Determine which regulations and standards apply to your organization (e.g., GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA).
• Map Requirements to Controls: Break down each regulation into specific, actionable controls.
• Prioritize Requirements: Focus on high-risk areas and requirements with the greatest impact.docs.gitlab.com+4about.gitlab.com+4about.gitlab.com+4

2. Create a Custom Compliance Framework

• Navigate to your GitLab group's Secure > Compliance Center.
• Click on New framework and select Create blank framework.
• Provide a name, description, and color for your framework.
• Add requirements by selecting relevant controls from the list (e.g., at least two approvals, SAST running).
• Save the framework.

3. Apply the Framework to Projects

• In the Compliance Center, go to the Projects tab.
• Select the project(s) you wish to apply your framework to.
• Use the Apply frameworks to selected projects option.
• Choose your framework(s) and apply.

4. Monitor and Report on Compliance

• Use the Compliance Center to track compliance status across projects.
• Generate compliance reports for audits and stakeholder reviews.
• Set up compliance alerts to notify stakeholders of potential compliance issues.
• Review audit events to review actions taken on compliance settings.

Suggested Read: Enhancing Security and Compliance During GitLab Migration

Real-World Example: Implementing a SOC 2 Compliance Framework

System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) is a rigorous auditing standard that assesses a service organization's controls related to security best practices, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

To implement a SOC 2 compliance framework in GitLab:

• Name: SOC2 Security Requirements
• Description: Adds the security requirements for SOC2 framework compliance
• Requirements:
  • Implement controls to protect against unauthorized access:
    • Auth SSO enabled
    • CI/CD job token scope enabled
    • Require MFA at the org level
  • Establish procedures for identifying and mitigating risks:
    • At least two approvals
    • Author approved merge request
    • Committers approved the merge request
    • Default branch protected
  • Setting up systems for detecting and addressing security incidents:
    • Dependency Scanning running
    • SAST running
    • DAST running

Applying this framework to your projects allows you to oversee compliance status and take corrective actions as needed.

Best Practices for Using Custom Compliance Frameworks

• Start Small: Begin with one critical regulation or standard before expanding.
• Involve Key Stakeholders: Include compliance, security, and development teams in framework creation.
• Automate Where Possible: Use GitLab CI/CD to automate compliance checks.
• Document Thoroughly: Maintain clear documentation of how your framework maps to regulatory requirements.
• Review Regularly: Update your frameworks as regulations evolve or new requirements emerge.

Final Thoughts

GitLab’s Custom Compliance Frameworks help organizations shift compliance left, making it a natural, automated part of software development. With VivaOps’ guidance, companies can implement these frameworks confidently, enforce them effectively, and demonstrate compliance effortlessly.

If your organization is ready to level up its compliance maturity while scaling DevSecOps, we’re here to help.

Contact VivaOps to learn how our GitLab-certified experts can support your journey.

For more information and to get started, visit GitLab's Compliance Center documentation.

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