CFG-04.8: Wireless Access Authentication & Encryption
Mechanisms exist to protect the confidentiality and integrity of wireless networking technologies by implementing authentication and strong encryption.
Renumbered: Formerly CRY-07 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization protect the confidentiality and integrity of wireless networking technologies by implementing authentication and strong encryption?
General (35)
US (11)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | AC-18 |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | AC-18 |
| USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 | II.C.9.a |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (low) | AC-18 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | AC-18 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | AC-18 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (LI-SaaS) | AC-18 |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | AC-18 |
| USA Texas DIR SCSC 2.2 2025 | AC-18 |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 1 | AC-18 |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | AC-18 |
EMEA (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | COS-02.01B.4 |
| EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 | Article 13.1(e) |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia SACS-002 2022 | VII.B.TPC-42 |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1314 ISM-1332 |
| APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 | 18.2.9.C.01 18.2.9.C.02 18.2.10.C.01 18.2.10.C.02 18.2.11.C.01 18.2.11.C.02 18.2.11.C.03 18.2.11.C.04 18.2.11.C.05 18.2.12.C.01 18.2.12.C.02 18.2.13.C.01 18.2.14.C.01 18.2.15.C.01 18.2.16.C.01 18.2.17.C.01 18.2.18.C.01 18.2.19.C.01 18.2.20.C.01 18.2.20.C.02 18.2.20.C.03 18.2.21.C.01 18.2.22.C.01 18.2.23.C.01 18.2.23.C.02 18.2.24.C.01 18.2.25.C.01 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.01.16.A |
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. ▪ External compliance requirements for cryptography are identified and documented, based on applicable laws, regulations and contractual obligations. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to implement cryptographic mechanisms that are applicability for statutory, regulatory and/or contractual compliance obligations.
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 capability exists to protect the confidentiality and integrity of wireless networking technologies by implementing authentication and strong encryption.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Cryptographic Protections (CRY) 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
- CFG-04.8_A01 configuration requirements are established for each type of wireless access.
- CFG-04.8_A02 connection requirements are established for each type of wireless access.
- CFG-04.8_A03 implementation guidance is established for each type of wireless access.
Evidence Requirements
- E-NET-14 Wireless Networking Configuration
-
Documented evidence of wireless networking configuration, including authentication and encryption, wireless boundaries and guest network isolation.
Network Security
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)
Small
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)
Medium
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)
Large
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)
Enterprise
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)