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AAT-08.1: Adequate Protections For AI & Autonomous Technologies

AAT 10 — Critical Govern

Mechanisms exist to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) include reasonable security, compliance and resilience protections that are commensurate with assessed risks and threats.

Renumbered: Formerly AAT-02.3 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) include reasonable security, compliance and resilience protections that are commensurate with assessed risks and threats?

General (1)
Framework Mapping Values
NIST AI 600-1 MG-3.1-001
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA EU AI Act Article 55.1(d) Article 55.2

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

SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.

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 ensure AAT include reasonable security, compliance and resilience protections that are commensurate with assessed risks and threats.

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-08.1_A01 risks and threats for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) are identified.
  2. AAT-08.1_A02 cybersecurity and data protections for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) are defined and are commensurate with assessed risks and threats.
  3. AAT-08.1_A03 cybersecurity and data protections for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) are implemented and are commensurate with assessed risks and threats.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Contractual security requirements in AI vendor agreements

Small

  • Security assessment of AI tools before adoption
  • Vendor security questionnaires

Medium

  • AI security requirements checklist
  • Third-party risk assessment for AI vendors

Large

  • Formal AI security standards
  • Security review in AI procurement process
  • Ongoing vendor monitoring

Enterprise

  • Enterprise AI security requirements framework
  • Automated TPRM platform
  • Continuous AI vendor monitoring

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