NCUA Compliance for Credit Unions 

Align with NCUA Cybersecurity Requirements 

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has made one priority crystal clear: cybersecurity is a top supervisory focus. For credit unions navigating increasingly complex examination, ensuring that cybersecurity practices align with NCUA expectations is critical, not only for regulatory success but for long-term resilience. 

Systems Engineering has developed a thorough understanding of NCUA requirements, with decades of history as an IT, security, and compliance partner for credit unions. With our expertise in NIST CSF alignment, we also provide credit unions with insight and advisory services on governance and policy development. 

In fact, long before governance was added as a key pillar for NIST CSF, we were already working with clients to create robust technology governance.  

Why NCUA Compliance Has Changed — and What That Means for Your Credit Union 

For years, credit unions relied on the FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT) to guide their cybersecurity programs and demonstrate compliance. But in 2024, the FFIEC announced it would retire the CAT, recommending instead that institutions adopt modern, mature frameworks like NIST CSF 2.0. 

This regulatory shift has created some confusion around how to align, but the good news is – we have already aligned our operations with NIST CSF. 

Based on combining NIST CSF and best practices from other industry frameworks, Systems Engineering has developed what we call the Adaptive Cybersecurity Framework (aCSF). 

aCSF is a structured, scalable, and modern cybersecurity framework perfect for regulated financial institutions like credit unions, and it is directly aligned to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 (NIST CSF 2.0). aCSF also integrates seamlessly into how your institution operates, prepares you to demonstrate your cybersecurity program and maturity during NCUA examinations. 

How aCSF Supports NCUA Supervisory Priorities 

NCUA’s directives to credit union boards of directors emphasize: 

  • Third-party due diligence for cybersecurity providers: Examination-ready documentation, board-level reporting, and standardized cybersecurity services, help ensure transparency and compliance confidence. 
  • Vulnerability and patch management: Proactive vulnerability and patch management for credit unions are delivered with automated tools, regular updates, and remediation planning, aligning with NCUA priorities. 
  • Backup protection and recovery testing: Ensures secure backups and regular recovery testing for credit unions with immutable backups and verified restore processes, meeting NCUA standards for data resilience. 
  • Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) and access control: NCUA standards require MFA, role-based access, and least-privilege controls that ensure compliance, examination readiness, and effective cyber risk mitigation 
  • Cybersecurity awareness and training: Awareness and training aligned to NCUA priorities that embed a security-first culture through user education, phishing simulations, and policy-driven best practices.  
  • Ongoing assessment of cybersecurity posture: New threats and the changes in the regulatory landscape mean that credit unions need ongoing assessment and support to ensure a strong cybersecurity posture and protect the business. 

Our aCSF methodology addresses all of these priorities head-on. 

How Credit Unions Benefit 

  • Mapped alignment to NCUA’s cybersecurity expectations
  • Expert-led assessment of cybersecurity and technology practices, and board-ready reporting to strengthen CAMELS-related controls
  • A structured, tiered maturity model to benchmark progress
  • Improved risk visibility and measurable improvement
  • Actionable remediation guidance based on proven standards
  • Support for board-level oversight and examination readiness documentation

The aCSF Advantage for Credit Unions 

aCSF goes beyond static frameworks and assessments: 

  • Ongoing, not one-and-done: We revisit your posture regularly, reducing drift and supporting a culture of continuous improvement. aCSF evolves as threats and vulnerabilities evolve, ensuring useful and relevant assessment. 
  • Integrated into operations: Not a bolt-on exercise but embedded into your IT and compliance workflows. 
  • Backed by real data: Our assessments include evidence-based scoring across key cybersecurity domains, with clear reporting to satisfy examiners, boards, and regulators. 
  • Built for institutions of all sizes: Whether you’re a small credit union or a federal leader, aCSF flexes to your complexity. 

Why Credit Unions Choose Systems Engineering 

  • Trusted cybersecurity and compliance partner to community institutions across the U.S. 
  • Deep experience supporting examinations under NCUA, FFIEC, and SOC2 Type II 
  • Proven results helping credit unions improve CAMELS ratings through better security governance.