CLD-09: Standardized Virtualization Formats
Mechanisms exist to ensure interoperability by requiring cloud providers to use industry-recognized formats and provide documentation of custom changes for review.
Renumbered: Formerly CLD-08 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, CLD-09 was Geolocation Requirements for Processing, Storage and Service Locations. That control is now DCH-30.1.
Control Question: Does the organization ensure interoperability by requiring cloud providers to use industry-recognized formats and provide documentation of custom changes for review?
EMEA (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | PI-01.01B.3 |
APAC (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | A10-B6(c) |
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
Cloud Security (CLD) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CLD domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Cloud 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
Cloud Security (CLD) 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 CLD domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CLD 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 CLD domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Cloud management controls-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Cloud management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Cloud-based Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) are governed according to the same processes used for on-premises TAAS, where no formal, dedicated cloud governance process exists.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Cloud Security (CLD) 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 CLD 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 CLD domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A cloud governance team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CLD domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of cloud governance operations (e.g., multi-cloud governance tools, policy enforcement and cost management). ▪ 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 CLD 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 ensure interoperability by requiring cloud providers to use industry-recognized formats and provide documentation of custom changes for review.
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
- CLD-09_A01 cloud providers use industry-recognized formats to support secure interoperability.
- CLD-09_A02 cloud providers provide documentation of custom changes to virtualization formats for review by affected stakeholders.
Evidence Requirements
- E-CLD-02 Cloud Infrastructure Onboarding / Offboarding Records
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Documented evidence of cloud infrastructure onboarding and offboarding activities (e.g., account provisioning, configuration baselining, decommissioning and data disposition).
Asset Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) program
Small
- Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) program
Medium
- Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) program
Large
- Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) program
Enterprise
- Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) program