CRY-07.2: Encrypting Offline Storage
Mechanisms exist to remove unused data from online storage and archive it off-line in a secure location until it can be disposed of according to data retention requirements.
Renumbered: Formerly CRY-05.2 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization remove unused data from online storage and archive it off-line in a secure location until it can be disposed of according to data retention requirements?
General (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-53 R4 | SC-28(2) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | SC-28(02) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | SC-28(02) |
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
Cryptographic Protections (CRY) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CRY domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Cryptography 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
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
Cryptographic Protections (CRY) 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 CRY 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 CRY domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A security engineering team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CRY domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of cryptographic protections operations (e.g., PKI management tool). ▪ 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 CRY 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 remove unused data from online storage and archive it off-line in a secure location until it can be disposed of according to data retention requirements.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Cryptographic Protections (CRY) 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
- CRY-07.2_A01 persistent organizational storage locations are identified.
- CRY-07.2_A02 recurring reviews of persistent organizational storage locations are conducted to identify sensitive / regulated data that is no longer needed.
- CRY-07.2_A03 the frequency with which to conduct reviews of persistent organizational storage locations is defined.
- CRY-07.2_A04 information to be removed from online storage and stored offline in a secure location is defined.
- CRY-07.2_A05 information is removed from online storage.
- CRY-07.2_A06 information is stored offline in a secure location.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Move old files to encrypted offline/archive storage; delete when no longer needed
Small
- Encrypted archive storage (e.g., encrypted external media, cloud archive tier)
- Retention schedule
Medium
- Encrypted off-line archive process with retention tracking
- Cloud archive tiers with encryption (e.g., AWS Glacier, Azure Archive)
Large
- Records management with encrypted offline archiving
- Archive media encryption and key escrow
- Retention-driven disposal
Enterprise
- Enterprise archiving platform with encryption and retention management (e.g., Veritas, Microsoft Purview)
- Encrypted offline/vaulted media
- Defensible disposal workflows