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BCD-24.1: Transfer to Alternate Storage Site

BCD 5 — Medium Protect

Mechanisms exist to transfer backup data to the alternate storage site at a rate that is capable of meeting both Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs).

Renumbered: Formerly BCD-11.6 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization transfer backup data to the alternate storage site at a rate that is capable of meeting both Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs)?

General (10)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) A1.2-POF9
CSA CCM 4.1.0 DCS-03
GovRAMP CP-09(05)
GovRAMP High CP-09(05)
NIST 800-53 R4 CP-9(5)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 CP-09(05)
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) CP-09(05)
NIST 800-82 R3 CP-09(05)
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay CP-09(05)
NIST CSF 2.0 (source) PR.DS-11
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) CP-09(05)
EMEA (5)

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

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCD) 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 BCD domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with BCD 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 BCD domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery (BC/DR)-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ BC/DR 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

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCD) 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 BCD 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 BCD domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain BCD domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of BC/DR operations (e.g., BC/DR planning software, Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), Orchestration and Automation Tools). ▪ 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 BCD 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 transfer backup data to the alternate storage site at a rate that is capable of meeting both Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs).

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCD) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

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. BCD-24.1_A01 system backup information is transferred to the alternate storage site for an organization-defined time period.
  2. BCD-24.1_A02 time period consistent with recovery time and recovery point objectives is defined.
  3. BCD-24.1_A03 transfer rate consistent with recovery time and recovery point objectives is defined.
  4. BCD-24.1_A04 system backup information is transferred to the alternate storage site transfer rate.

Evidence Requirements

E-BCD-12 Data Backups - Remote

Documented evidence of event logs for the off-site / remote data backup solution.

Business Continuity

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
  • Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs)
  • Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs)

Small

  • Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
  • Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs)
  • Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs)

Medium

  • Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
  • Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs)
  • Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs)

Large

  • Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
  • Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs)
  • Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs)

Enterprise

  • Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
  • Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs)
  • Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs)

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