CLD-05: Virtual Machine Images

There is no evidence of a capability to ensure the integrity of virtual machine images at all times.

Cloud Security (CLD) efforts are ad hoc and inconsistent. CMM Level 1 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

• Cloud-based technologies are governed no differently from on-premise network assets (e.g., cloud-based technology is viewed as an extension of the corporate network).
• A Shared Responsibility Matrix (SRM), or similar Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM), is documented for each Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) instance that takes into account differences between Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) methodologies.

Cloud Security (CLD) efforts are requirements-driven and governed at a local/regional level, but are not consistent across the organization. CMM Level 2 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist: o Identify cybersecurity and data protection controls that are appropriate to address applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements for cloud security management. o Use an informal process to govern cloud-specific cybersecurity and data privacy-specific tools.

• Cloud security management is decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
• IT/cybersecurity personnel:
• A Shared Responsibility Matrix (SRM), or similar Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM), is documented for each Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) instance that takes into account differences between Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) methodologies.
• IT personnel have a documented architecture for cloud-based technologies to support cybersecurity and data protection requirements.
• Cybersecurity and data privacy requirements are identified and documented for cloud-specific sensitive/regulated data processing, storing and/ or transmitting, including restrictions on data processing and storage locations.

Cloud Security (CLD) 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 Ensure the cloud security architecture supports the organization's technology strategy to securely design, configure and maintain cloud employments. o Ensure multi-tenant CSP assets (physical and virtual) are designed and governed such that provider and customer (tenant) user access is appropriately segmented from other tenant users. o Ensure CSPs use secure protocols for the import, export and management of data in cloud-based services. o Implement a dedicated subnet to host security-specific technologies on all cloud instances, where technically feasible. o Governs changes to cloud-based systems, applications and services to ensure their stability, reliability and predictability. o Reviews processes to identify and prevent use of unapproved CSPs.

• Roles and associated responsibilities for governing cloud instances, including provisioning, maintaining and deprovisioning, are formally assigned.
• A Shared Responsibility Matrix (SRM), or similar Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM), is documented for each Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) instance that takes into account differences between Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) methodologies.
• IT architects, in conjunction with cybersecurity architects:
• A Change Advisory Board (CAB), or similar function:
• A dedicated IT infrastructure team, or similar function, enables the implementation of cloud management controls to ensure cloud instances are both secure and compliant, leveraging industry-recognized secure practices that are CC|P-specific.
• Cybersecurity and data privacy requirements are identified and documented for each CSP instance to address sensitive/regulated data processing, storing and/ or transmitting and provide restrictions on data processing and storage locations.
• A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is used to help ensure the protection of sensitive/regulated data processed, stored or transmitted on external systems.
• Cloud requirements for interoperability implemented through standardized virtualization formats are identified and documented.
• The IT Asset Management (ITAM) function uses technical mechanisms to ensure the integrity of virtual machine images throughout the asset lifecycle.

Cloud Security (CLD) 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.

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 ensure the integrity of virtual machine images at all times.