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AAT-08: AI & Autonomous Technologies Internal Controls

AAT 9 — Critical Identify

Mechanisms exist to identify and document internal security, compliance and resilience for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT).

Renumbered: Formerly AAT-02.2 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, AAT-08 was Assigned Responsibilities for AI & Autonomous Technologies. That control is now AAT-05.

Control Question: Does the organization identify and document internal security, compliance and resilience for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT)?

General (2)
Framework Mapping Values
ISO 42001 2023 5.1 8.1 A.6.2.2
NIST AI 100-1 (AI RMF) 1.0 MAP 4.2
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA EU AI Act Article 17.1(e)

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technology (AAT) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with AAT domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ AAT-related processes are expected to follow the organization's existing processes (e.g., incident response, asset management, change control and risk assessments). ▪ No formal Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team exists to provide AAT oversight, where the Chief Information Officer (CIO), or similar function, governs technology decisions what is acceptable for AAT within the organization.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technology (AAT) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with AAT domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with AAT domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with AAT domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Asset management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technology (AAT) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with AAT domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with AAT domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An Artificial Intelligence Governance (AIG) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain AAT domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of AI governance, risk management and compliance operations (e.g., dedicated AI governance platform). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with AAT domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to identify and document internal security, compliance and resilience for AAT.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Assessment Objectives

  1. AAT-08_A01 roles and responsibilities exist to compel data and/or process owners to select required cybersecurity / data privacy controls for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) under their control.
  2. AAT-08_A02 Individual Contributor (IC) performance reviews cover how data and/or process owners operationalized cybersecurity / data privacy practices for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) under their control.

Evidence Requirements

E-AAT-01 Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) Governance Program

Documented evidence of a governance program for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technologies (AAT).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Autonomous Technologies Governance

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Basic AI usage controls (acceptable use policy, access restrictions)
  • AI governance program

Small

  • AI internal controls aligned to AI governance policy
  • Access controls for AI systems and models
  • AI governance program

Medium

  • Formal AI internal controls program
  • AI access controls and role-based permissions
  • AI output review and human oversight requirements
  • NIST AI RMF Manage function

Large

  • Enterprise AI internal controls aligned to NIST AI RMF Manage function
  • AI-specific access controls integrated with IAM
  • Human-in-the-loop requirements for high-risk AI decisions
  • AI audit trails and logging

Enterprise

  • Enterprise AI controls framework (NIST AI RMF, ISO 42001)
  • AI controls integrated with GRC platform
  • Automated AI control testing and monitoring
  • AI explainability and audit trail requirements
  • Independent AI controls assessment program

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