Skip to main content

CHG-04.1: Automated Access Enforcement / Auditing

CHG 3 — Low Detect

Mechanisms exist to perform after-the-fact reviews of configuration change logs to discover any unauthorized changes.

Control Question: Does the organization perform after-the-fact reviews of configuration change logs to discover any unauthorized changes?

General (15)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC8.1-POF10 CC8.1-POF11
CSA CCM 4 CCC-04 CCC-09
GovRAMP Core CM-05(01)
GovRAMP Moderate CM-05(01)
GovRAMP High CM-05(01)
IEC 62443-4-2 2019 CR 3.4 (7.6.3(2))
NIST 800-53 R4 CM-5(1)
NIST 800-53 R4 (high) CM-5(1)
NIST 800-53 R5 (source) CM-5(1)
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) CM-5(1)
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay CM-5(1)
NIST 800-161 R1 CM-5(1)
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 CM-5(1)
SCF CORE ESP Level 2 Critical Infrastructure CHG-04.1
SCF CORE ESP Level 3 Advanced Threats CHG-04.1
US (10)
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 1-5-4
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada CSAG 6.11

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

There is no evidence of a capability to perform after-the-fact reviews of configuration change logs to discover any unauthorized changes.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

C|P-CMM1 is N/A, since a structured process is required to perform after-the-fact reviews of configuration change logs to discover any unauthorized changes.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

C|P-CMM2 is N/A, since a well-defined process is required to perform after-the-fact reviews of configuration change logs to discover any unauthorized changes.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Change Management (CHG) efforts are standardized across the organization and centrally managed, where technically feasible, to ensure consistency. CMM Level 3 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist: o Exists to govern changes to systems, applications and services to ensure their stability, reliability and predictability. o Reviews RFC for cybersecurity and data privacy ramifications. o Notifies stakeholders to ensure awareness of the impact of proposed changes.

  • An IT Asset Management (ITAM) function, or similar function, ensures compliance with requirements for asset management.
  • ITAM leverages a Configuration Management Database (CMDB), or similar tool, as the authoritative source of IT assets.
  • Logical Access Control (LAC) is governed to limit the ability of non-administrators from making configuration changes to systems, applications and services.
  • A formal Change Management (CM) program ensures that no unauthorized changes are made, that all changes are documented, that services are not disrupted and that resources are used efficiently.
  • The CM function has formally defined roles and associated responsibilities.
  • Changes are tracked through a centralized technology solution to submit, review, approve and assign Requests for Change (RFC).
  • A Change Advisory Board (CAB), or similar function:
  • IT personnel use dedicated development/test/staging environments to deploy and evaluate changes, wherever technically possible.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Change Management (CHG) efforts are metrics driven and provide sufficient management insight (based on a quantitative understanding of process capabilities) to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and identify areas for improvement. In addition to CMM Level 3 criteria, CMM Level 4 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • 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.
  • Both business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving

See C|P-CMM4. There are no defined C|P-CMM5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to perform after-the-fact reviews of configuration change logs to discover any unauthorized changes.

Assessment Objectives

  1. CHG-04.1_A01 mechanisms used to automate the enforcement of access restrictions are defined.
  2. CHG-04.1_A02 access restrictions for change are enforced using organization-defined automated mechanisms.
  3. CHG-04.1_A03 audit records of enforcement actions are automatically generated.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Small

  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Medium

  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)

Large

  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)

Enterprise

  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)

The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is maintained by SCF Council. Use of SCF content is subject to the SCF Terms & Conditions.

Manage this control in SCF Connect

Track implementation status, collect evidence, and map controls to your compliance frameworks automatically.