CFG-04.7: Non-Console Administrative Access
Cryptographic mechanisms exist to protect the confidentiality and integrity of non-console administrative access.
Renumbered: Formerly CRY-06 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Are cryptographic mechanisms utilized to protect the confidentiality and integrity of non-console administrative access?
General (11)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| CIS CSC 8.1 | 4.6 12.3 |
| CIS CSC 8.1 IG1 | 4.6 |
| CIS CSC 8.1 IG2 | 4.6 12.3 |
| CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 | 4.6 12.3 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) | 2.2.7 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) | 2.2.7 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ B-IP (source) | 2.2.7 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) | 2.2.7 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) | 2.2.7 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) | 2.2.7 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) | 2.2.7 |
EMEA (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | CRY-04.02B COS-05.01AC |
APAC (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | A10-B9(a)(v) |
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
Cryptographic Protections (CRY) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CRY domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Cryptography management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel provide an encryption solution (software or hardware) for the storage of sensitive/regulated data.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Cryptographic Protections (CRY) 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 CRY domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CRY 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 CRY domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Cryptographic management controls-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Cryptographic management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) that store, process or transmit sensitive/regulated data use cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure of information as an alternate to physical safeguards.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Configuration Management (CFG) 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 CFG 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 CFG domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A configuration management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CFG domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of configuration management operations (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 CFG 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 cryptographic capability exists to protect the confidentiality and integrity of non-console administrative access.
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
- CFG-04.7_A01 cryptographic mechanisms are utilized to protect the confidentiality and integrity of non-console administrative access.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Use SSH/HTTPS (not Telnet/HTTP) for device administration
Small
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- SSH/HTTPS/RDP with TLS for all administrative access; insecure protocols disabled
Medium
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- Encrypted administrative protocols enforced (SSH, TLS 1.2+, RDP with NLA)
- Jump host for administration
Large
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- PAM session brokering with encrypted channels
- Certificate-based administrative access
Enterprise
- Enterprise privileged access standards (PAM, encrypted protocols, mutual TLS, certificate-based auth)
- Automated detection of cleartext administrative protocols