CPL-07.1: Internal Audit Function
Mechanisms exist to implement an internal audit function that is capable of providing executive management with insights into the overall management of the organization's security, compliance and resilience capabilities.
Renumbered: Formerly CPL-02.1 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, CPL-07.1 was Grievance Response. That control is now CPL-22.1.
Control Question: Does the organization implement an internal audit function that is capable of providing executive management with insights into the overall management of the organization's security, compliance and resilience capabilities?
General (17)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) | CC4.1-POF1 CC4.1-POF2 CC4.1-POF3 CC4.1-POF4 CC4.1-POF5 CC4.1-POF6 CC4.1-POF7 CC4.1-POF8 |
| BSI Standard 200-1 | 7.4 |
| COBIT 2019 | MEA02.01 MEA02.02 MEA04.02 |
| CSA CCM 4.1.0 | A&A-05 CEK-09 |
| CSA IoT SCF 2 | GVN-04 |
| ISO 22301 2019 | 9.2.1 9.2.1(a) 9.2.1(a)(1) 9.2.1(a)(2) 9.2.1(b) 9.2.2 9.2.2(a) 9.2.2(b) 9.2.2(c) 9.2.2(d) 9.2.2(e) 9.2.2(f) 9.2.2(g) |
| ISO 27001 2022 (source) | 9.2.1 9.2.1(a)(1) 9.2.1(a)(2) 9.2.1(b) 9.2.2 9.2.2(a) 9.2.2(b) 9.2.2(c) |
| ISO 27002 2022 | 5.35 8.34 |
| ISO 27017 2015 | 12.7.1 18.2.1 |
| ISO 27018 2025 | 5.35 8.34 |
| ISO 27701 2025 | 9.2.1 9.2.1(a) 9.2.1(b) |
| ISO 29100 2024 | 6.12 |
| ISO 42001 2023 | 9.2.1 9.2.1(a) 9.2.1(a)(1) 9.2.1(a)(2) 9.2.1(b) 9.2.2 9.2.2(a) 9.2.2(b) 9.2.2(c) |
| NIST 800-171 R2 (source) | 3.12.1 |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.12.01 |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.12.01.ODP[01] A.03.12.01 |
| TISAX ISA 6.0.3 | 1.5.1 5.2.6 |
US (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 | CAL2.-3.12.1 |
| USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 | I.B IV.A.2.d |
| USA Federal FCA CRM 2023 | 609.930(c)(6) |
| USA California CCPA 2025 | 7122(a)(3) |
| USA Nevada NOGE Reg 5 2024 | 5.260.5(b) |
EMEA (11)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | COM-03.02B |
| EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 | Article 27.2(l)(i) Article 28.4 Article 28.5 |
| EMEA EU EBA GL/2019/04 | 3.3.6.25 |
| EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 | 2.3.2 |
| EMEA Israel CDMO 2.0 | 4.1, Stage 5 |
| EMEA LUX CCSF 20/750 2020 | 3.3.1-11 3.3.6-25 |
| EMEA LUX CCSF 22/806 2022 | 25 51 52 52.a 52.b 52.c 52.d 52.e 88 |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia IoT CGIoT-1 2024 | 1-7-2 |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 | 1-4-2 |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia ECC-1 2018 | 1-8-3 |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia SAMA CSF 1.0 2017 | 3.1.4.5 3.2.5.1 |
APAC (8)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia Prudential Standard CPS230 2023 | 46 60 |
| APAC Australia Prudential Standard CPS234 2019 | 32.0 34.0 34(a) 34(b) |
| APAC India DPDPA 2023 | 10(2)(b) |
| APAC Japan ISMAP | 4.6.2.2 4.6.2.4 |
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | 8.5 13.3 A5-B5(c) |
| APAC New Zealand HISF MLHSP 2023 | HHSP67 HML66 |
| APAC New Zealand HISF Suppliers 2023 | HSUP58 |
| APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 | 15.1.1 15.1.2 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.12.01 |
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
SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).
Level 3 — Well Defined
Compliance (CPL) 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 CPL 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 CPL domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CPL domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of governance, risk management and compliance operations (e.g., GRC platform). ▪ 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 CPL 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 implement an internal audit function that is capable of providing senior organization management with insights into the appropriateness of the organization's technology and information governance processes.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Compliance (CPL) 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
- CPL-07.1_A01 an internal audit function exists that is comprised of stakeholders who have the subject matter expertise to serve in an advisory capability on audit-related matters.
- CPL-07.1_A02 an internal audit function formally defines audit-related priorities for the organization.
- CPL-07.1_A03 an internal audit function tracks audit findings that require remediation efforts.
- CPL-07.1_A04 an internal audit function provides executive management with documented assessments of the overall management of the organization's security, compliance and resilience capabilities.
- CPL-07.1_A05 the frequency at which to assess the security requirements for the system and its environment of operation is defined.
Evidence Requirements
- E-CPL-04 Internal Audit (IA)
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Documented evidence of an Internal Audit (IA) capability.
Compliance - E-CPL-07 Control Assessments
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Documented evidence of internal or third-party control assessments to provide governance oversight of cybersecurity & data privacy controls.
Compliance - E-GOV-11 Charter - Audit Committee
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Documented evidence of an executive steering committee, or advisory board, that is formed to perform oversight of internal and external audit management decisions and is comprised of key cybersecurity, technology, risk, privacy and business executives.
Security, Compliance & Resilience Governance
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Internal audit program
Small
- Internal audit program
Medium
- Internal audit program
Large
- Internal audit program
Enterprise
- Internal audit program