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AST-19: Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) Storage

AST 8 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to ensure Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) are stored in rooms and/or facilities with reasonable physical security protections.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, AST-19 was Telecommunications Equipment. That control is now AST-31.

Control Question: Does the organization ensure Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) are stored in rooms and/or facilities with reasonable physical security protections?

APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-1974 ISM-1975

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

Asset Management (AST) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with AST domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Asset management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ Asset management is informally assigned as an additional duty to existing IT/cybersecurity personnel.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Asset Management (AST) 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 AST domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with AST 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 AST domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Asset management-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

Asset Management (AST) 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 AST 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 AST domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An IT Asset Management (ITAM) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain AST domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of ITAM operations (e.g., ITAM platform, (e.g., Configuration Management Database (CMBD) Asset Management solution). ▪ 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 AST 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 Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) are stored in rooms and/or facilities with reasonable physical security protections.

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. AST-19_A01 the physical security protections required for rooms and/or facilities used to store Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) are defined.
  2. AST-19_A02 processes exist to define criteria for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) storage.
  3. AST-19_A03 Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) are stored in rooms and/or facilities that implement the organization-defined physical security protections.

Evidence Requirements

E-DCH-13 Media Storage Facilities

Documented evidence of media storage facilities.

Data Protection

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Locked cabinet or secure room for equipment
  • Basic physical access controls (key or PIN)

Small

  • Locked server room with physical access controls
  • Physical access log
  • Environmental controls (temperature, humidity)

Medium

  • Dedicated server room with physical access controls and monitoring
  • Physical access logging
  • Co-location or private cage in certified data center

Large

  • Secure data center facilities (access control, CCTV, environmental monitoring)
  • Co-location or private cage in certified data center
  • Physical security assessments

Enterprise

  • Co-location or private cage in certified data center
  • Multi-layer physical access controls (mantraps, biometrics)
  • 24/7 physical security monitoring
  • Redundant physical infrastructure

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