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DCH-11.1: Automated Marking

DCH 2 — Low Protect

Automated mechanisms exist to mark physical media and digital files to indicate the distribution limitations, handling requirements and applicable security markings (if any) of the information to aid Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies.

Renumbered: Formerly DCH-04.1 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to mark physical media and digital files to indicate the distribution limitations, handling requirements and applicable security markings (if any) of the information to aid Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies?

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

Data Classification & Handling (DCH) 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 DCH 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 DCH 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 DCH domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of data classification and handling 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 DCH 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 automatically mark physical media and digital files to indicate the distribution limitations, handling requirements and applicable security markings (if any) of the information to aid Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies.

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

  1. DCH-11.1_A01 automated mechanisms mark media and system output to indicate the distribution limitations, handling requirements and applicable security markings (if any) of the information to enable the use of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and similar automated data protection technologies.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Data classification program
  • Metadata tagging
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Small

  • Data classification program
  • Metadata tagging
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Medium

  • Data classification program
  • Metadata tagging
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Data governance program

Large

  • Data classification program
  • Metadata tagging
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Data governance program

Enterprise

  • Data classification program
  • Metadata tagging
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Data governance program

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