CHG-10.1: Documenting Emergency Changes
Mechanisms exist to document the results of "emergency" changes, including an explanation for why standard change management procedures could not be followed.
Renumbered: Formerly CHG-07.1 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization document the results of "emergency" changes, including an explanation for why standard change management procedures could not be followed?
EMEA (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 | Article 17.2(g) |
| EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 | 6.4.3 |
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
Change Management (CHG) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CHG domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Change management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Change Management (CHG) 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 CHG domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CHG 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 CHG domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Change management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Change management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Business stakeholders and process owners ensure changes to Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) within the System Development Lifecycle (SDLC) are controlled through formal change control procedures.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Change Management (CHG) 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 CHG 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 CHG domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A centralized Change Management Office (CMO), or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CHG domain capabilities. ▪ Technical procedures (e.g., ITIL change enablement) are utilized along with change management governance capabilities (e.g., Change Advisory Board (CAB)) to ensure successful, efficient and secure change management operations. ▪ 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 CHG 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 document the results of "emergency" changes, including an explanation for why standard change management procedures could not be followed.
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
- CHG-10.1_A01 the documented results of "emergency" changes include an explanation for why standard change management procedures could not be followed.
Evidence Requirements
- E-CHG-05 Change Control Records
-
Documented evidence of change control records (including test results, when applicable).
Change Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Emergency change log (spreadsheet)
- Post-hoc documentation template for emergency changes
Small
- Emergency change documentation register
- Mandatory post-implementation review requirement
Medium
- ITSM-based post-implementation emergency change documentation
- Mandatory post-implementation review within defined timeframe
Large
- ITSM platform mandatory documentation workflow
- Post-implementation review with management sign-off
- Integration with audit trail
Enterprise
- Automated ITSM documentation requirements for emergency changes
- Mandatory post-implementation review with sign-off
- Integration with GRC and audit reporting