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AST-33: Re-Imaging Devices After Travel

AST 8 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to re-image end user technology (e.g., laptops and mobile devices) when returning from overseas travel to an authoritarian country with a higher-than average risk for Intellectual Property (IP) theft or espionage against individuals and private companies.

Renumbered: Formerly AST-25 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization re-image end user technology (e.g., laptops and mobile devices) when returning from overseas travel to an authoritarian country with a higher-than average risk for Intellectual Property (IP) theft or espionage against individuals and private companies?

General (2)
Framework Mapping Values
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.04.12.b
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.04.12.b
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-1300 ISM-1556
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.04.12.B

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

SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).

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 re-image end user technology (e.g., laptops and mobile devices) when returning from overseas travel to an authoritarian country with a higher-than average risk for Intellectual Property (IP) theft or espionage against individuals and private companies.

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-33_A01 upon return from travel to authoritarian countries, the issued temporary, loaner or "travel-only" end user technology (e.g., laptops and mobile devices) is wiped / re-imaged before being re-issued.
  2. AST-33_A02 organization-defined security requirements are applied to the system or system components when the individuals return from travel.
  3. AST-33_A03 the following security requirements are applied to the system or system components when the individuals return from travel: <A.03.04.12.ODP[02]: security requirements>.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Small

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Medium

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Large

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Enterprise

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

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