> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-cloud-runtime-security/compliance/monitor-and-track-compliance-adherence/choose-compliance-standards-from-the-compliance-catalog.md). # Choose compliance standards from the compliance catalog The compliance catalogs provide a list of available compliance standards and controls. Cortex provides lists of available standards and controls in the Standards and Controls catalogs under **Posture Management → Compliance → Catalogs**. ## What are standards and controls? Standards are guidelines that organizations follow in order to comply with industry best practices and regulations, as well as internal organizational policies and procedures. They improve security and quality in operational practices. Standards consist of controls, which are measures related to the standard that ensure compliance and mitigate risks. Controls are built from one or more rules, the specific checks that run on an asset. Controls can be grouped into categories, for example RBAC and Pod security. The **Standards** and **Controls** catalogs include built-in industry standards and controls and custom organizational standards and controls. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-cloud-runtime-security/compliance/monitor-and-track-compliance-adherence/choose-compliance-standards-from-the-compliance-catalog.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.