December 2025

SEBI CSCRF Audit: New Circulars – Why You Must Be Ready Before FY25 Cybersecurity has moved beyond being a technology concern in India’s financial ecosystem. With the full enforcement of SEBI’s Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF), cybersecurity is now a regulatory, governance, and audit obligation for all SEBI-regulated entities. In 2026, CSCRF compliance is no longer about intent or policy documentation. It is about evidence, execution, and accountability. This blog by Lumiverse Solutions explains what the SEBI CSCRF audit is, why it matters today, and how regulated entities should approach compliance in a practical, audit-ready manner. What Is the SEBI CSCRF Audit? The SEBI CSCRF audit is a mandatory, structured cybersecurity audit conducted to assess whether a SEBI-regulated entity has implemented the Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework as prescribed by SEBI. Follows SEBI-defined audit and reporting formats Assesses technical controls and governance effectiveness Requires verifiable implementation evidence Evaluates detection, response, and recovery capabilities In practice, the CSCRF audit determines whether cybersecurity controls are operationally embedded or exist only on paper. Why the SEBI CSCRF Audit Matters in 2026 1. Regulatory Accountability Has Increased Heightened supervisory scrutiny Mandatory remediation programs Increased regulatory engagement 2. Cybersecurity Is a Governance Responsibility Boards and senior management accountability CISO and compliance officer ownership Audit outcomes reflect governance maturity 3. Evidence-Based Compliance Is Mandatory Logs and monitoring records VAPT remediation proof Incident response testing evidence Management approvals and reviews 4. Focus on Resilience, Not Just Prevention Incident detection Response effectiveness Recovery and continuity validation How CSCRF Evolved into an Enforceable Audit Framework Standardised audit and reporting formats Defined compliance timelines Clear applicability across entity categories Strong emphasis on implementation evidence CSCRF is now designed for consistency, comparability, and enforcement across India’s financial ecosystem. Mandatory Services Under SEBI CSCRF Control Area What SEBI Expects Governance & Oversight Defined roles, board and senior management accountability Asset Inventory & Classification Identification and classification of critical systems VAPT & Cybersecurity Audit Testing with remediation and closure evidence Monitoring, Logs & Reporting Log collection, review, and retention Incident & Crisis Management Tested incident response and escalation mechanisms Backup & Disaster Recovery Secure backups and recovery validation Access & Identity Management Role-based access and privilege controls Third-Party Risk Management Vendor risk assessment and ongoing oversight Audit Insight: Absence of evidence for any mandatory control usually leads to direct non-compliance observations. Recommended (Risk-Based) CSCRF Services Control Area Typically Expected For SOC & Advanced Monitoring Mid-size and large entities Endpoint & Data Protection Risk-based environments Red / Purple Team Testing Systemically important entities Cloud & API Security Cloud-hosted and digital platforms Cyber Awareness & Training All entities (risk-based depth) Audit Expectation: When recommended controls are absent, auditors expect risk acceptance or compensating controls. Missing both usually results in findings. Common CSCRF Audit Gaps Observed Incomplete asset inventories VAPT findings without closure evidence Weak log monitoring and review Untested incident response plans Missing governance approvals and oversight records Most audit failures arise from documentation and governance gaps, not lack of technology. How to Prepare for SEBI CSCRF Audits in 2026 Conduct a CSCRF gap assessment Strengthen governance frameworks Maintain a central audit evidence repository Perform mock audits and incident drills Track remediation continuously How Lumiverse Solutions Supports CSCRF Compliance CSCRF gap assessments VAPT coordination and remediation tracking Independent CSCRF cybersecurity audits Incident response planning and drills Audit evidence preparation and executive reporting Preparing for CSCRF audits in 2026? Work with Lumiverse Solutions to move from policy-level compliance to audit-ready cybersecurity governance. Talk to a CSCRF Expert Conclusion In 2026, the SEBI CSCRF audit is a measure of governance maturity and operational resilience. Entities that embed CSCRF into daily operations will not only meet regulatory expectations but also strengthen long-term trust, stability, and resilience. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – SEBI CSCRF Audit What is the SEBI CSCRF audit? The SEBI CSCRF audit is a mandatory cybersecurity audit conducted to assess whether a SEBI-regulated entity has implemented the Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) as prescribed by SEBI. It evaluates governance, technical controls, incident readiness, and resilience using SEBI-defined audit formats. Is the CSCRF audit mandatory for all SEBI-regulated entities? Yes. CSCRF compliance and audit applicability extend to all SEBI-regulated entities, regardless of size. While the depth of controls may vary based on risk and scale, mandatory controls apply universally. How is the CSCRF audit different from earlier cybersecurity audits? Unlike earlier audits, the CSCRF audit: Uses standardised SEBI audit formats Requires implementation evidence, not just policies Evaluates incident response and recovery Emphasises board and senior management accountability What happens if mandatory CSCRF controls are missing? If mandatory controls are missing or lack evidence, auditors typically record direct non-compliance observations, which may lead to regulatory scrutiny and mandatory remediation. Are “recommended” CSCRF controls optional? Recommended controls are risk-based, but they are not optional in practice. If such controls apply to an entity’s size or complexity and are not implemented, auditors expect documented risk justification or compensating controls. What are the most common CSCRF audit gaps? Common gaps observed during CSCRF audits include: Incomplete asset inventory and classification VAPT findings without closure evidence Weak log monitoring and review practices Incident response plans that are not tested Missing governance approvals or oversight records Does CSCRF require a Security Operations Centre (SOC)? A SOC is not mandatory for all entities, but it is strongly expected for mid-size and large entities. If a SOC is not implemented, auditors typically ask for documented justification and alternative monitoring mechanisms. How often should VAPT be conducted under CSCRF? VAPT must be conducted periodically and after significant system changes. CSCRF audits focus on remediation and closure evidence, not just the VAPT report itself. Who is responsible for CSCRF compliance within an organisation? CSCRF assigns responsibility across multiple levels: Board of Directors Senior Management CISO / IT Head Compliance and Risk Teams Cybersecurity is treated as a governance responsibility, not only an IT function. How should organisations prepare for CSCRF audits in 2026? Organisations should: Conduct CSCRF gap assessments Strengthen governance and approvals Maintain

Why Every Business Needs a Red Team Assessment | Strengthening Cybersecurity In today’s threat-filled digital world, even the most secure-looking system can have hidden weaknesses. A Red Team Assessment is a simulated cyberattack designed to uncover these blind spots before real hackers do. Unlike traditional vulnerability scans or penetration tests, a Red Team Assessment goes deeper. It evaluates not just your technology, but also your people, processes, and response capabilities. At Lumiverse Solutions Pvt. Ltd., we believe true cybersecurity isn’t about reacting to threats, it’s about anticipating them. That’s exactly where Red Team Assessments play a crucial role. What Is a Red Team Assessment? A Red Team Assessment is a controlled, real-world style cyberattack performed by ethical hackers who think and act like real adversaries. Instead of focusing only on technical vulnerabilities, the Red Team tests how your entire organisation detects, responds, and recovers from an attack. The goal is simple: give you a realistic picture of your defence posture without the damage, disruption, and reputational loss of an actual breach. How Red Team Assessments Work A Red Team is a specialised group of cybersecurity professionals that emulate real attackers targeting your organisation. A typical Red Team Assessment includes: Red Team Assessment Lifecycle 1. Planning & Scoping: Define objectives, critical assets, scope, and rules of engagement. 2. Reconnaissance: Gather information about systems, applications, employees, and network exposure. 3. Attack Simulation: Attempt real-world techniques such as phishing, credential theft, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. 4. Response Evaluation: Observe how effectively your SOC, IT and security teams detect, contain, and respond to attacks in real time. 5. Reporting & Debrief: Provide a detailed report with attack paths, business impact, and actionable recommendations. This controlled exercise helps you see your organisation the way an attacker does—end-to-end across people, process, and technology. Why Red Team Assessments Matter for Every Business Cyberattacks are no longer limited to large corporations. Small and medium enterprises, financial organisations, and even startups are frequent targets for ransomware, fraud, and data theft. A Red Team Assessment helps businesses of all sizes to: ✓ Uncover Hidden Vulnerabilities: Go beyond automated scans to identify weak links that traditional tests miss. ✓ Test Employee Awareness: Measure how staff respond to phishing, social engineering, and suspicious activity. ✓ Measure Incident Response: Understand how quickly and effectively your team can detect, contain, and recover from an attack. ✓ Strengthen Security Culture: Turn real-world findings into practical training, policies, and preventive controls. Think of it as a “cyber fire drill”—your chance to test systems and people before a real emergency strikes. Red Team Assessment vs. Penetration Testing Many companies confuse Red Teaming with penetration testing, but they serve different purposes and offer different value. Penetration Testing Red Team Assessment Focuses on finding technical vulnerabilities in specific systems. Simulates real-world attacks from an adversary viewpoint end-to-end. Limited scope, usually defined around particular applications or networks. Covers people, processes, and technology across the organisation. Often announced and scheduled with clear boundaries. Typically stealthy, with realistic tactics and minimal prior notice. Usually a one-time or periodic checklist-based exercise. Strategic evaluation used to continuously improve resilience. In short, penetration tests show what’s broken, while a Red Team Assessment shows how an attacker would exploit it—and how your organisation would actually respond. When Should You Consider a Red Team Assessment? If your business already has basic security controls such as firewalls, antivirus, and regular patching in place, a Red Team Assessment is the next logical step in your maturity journey. It is especially valuable when: You want to evaluate the effectiveness of your Security Operations Center (SOC) or monitoring tools. You’ve undergone recent digital transformation (e.g., cloud migration, remote work, new apps). You need advanced testing to support compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001 or PCI DSS. Your leadership wants a realistic, business-impact view of cyber risk—not just technical reports. Why Choose Lumiverse Solutions for Red Team Assessment At Lumiverse Solutions Pvt. Ltd., our cybersecurity experts deliver comprehensive Red Team Assessments tailored to your industry, risk profile, and regulatory needs. Advanced ethical hacking techniques aligned with real-world attacker behaviour. End-to-end assessment of detection, response, and recovery capabilities. Clear, prioritised remediation guidance for security, IT, and business teams. Support for regulatory and compliance readiness (ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and more). Whether you’re a growing startup or an established enterprise, Lumiverse Solutions helps you stay one step ahead of attackers. Strengthen Cyber Resilience with Red Team Assessment In cybersecurity, proactivity is protection. A Red Team Assessment isn’t just a technical exercise, it’s an investment in your organisation’s resilience, reputation, and customer trust. Take the next step towards a secure future. Uncover the unseen before it becomes a threat. Ready to Test Your Defences with a Red Team Assessment? Get a tailored Red Team Assessment, detailed attack-path report, and clear remediation roadmap from Lumiverse Solutions. Talk to a Red Team Expert Explore More: Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT) Cybersecurity Services by Lumiverse Solutions Reference: NIST Cybersecurity Framework Frequently Asked Questions — Red Team Assessment Q1. What is a Red Team Assessment in simple terms? A Red Team Assessment is a controlled cyberattack performed by ethical hackers who act like real attackers. They test how well your organisation can detect, respond to, and recover from an attack across people, processes, and technology. Q2. How is a Red Team Assessment different from a normal penetration test? A penetration test focuses on finding technical vulnerabilities in defined systems. A Red Team Assessment goes further by simulating real-world attack scenarios, testing your people, processes, and tools, and measuring how your organisation responds end-to-end. Q3. Is a Red Team Assessment only for large enterprises? No. While large enterprises commonly use Red Teaming, small and mid-sized businesses also benefit significantly—especially if they handle sensitive data, provide online services, or operate in regulated industries such as BFSI, healthcare, or SaaS. Q4. How often should we conduct a Red Team Assessment? Most organisations conduct a Red Team Assessment annually or after major changes such as cloud migration, mergers, new product