DCH-16: Media Transportation
Mechanisms exist to protect and control digital and non-digital media during transport outside of controlled areas using appropriate security measures.
Renumbered: Formerly DCH-07 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, DCH-16 was Data Mining Protection. That control is now DCH-24.1.
Control Question: Does the organization protect and control digital and non-digital media during transport outside of controlled areas using appropriate security measures?
General (33)
US (11)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | MP-5 MP-5.a MP-5.b MP-5.c MP-5.d MP-5-IS.1 MP-5-IS.2 MP-5-IS.3 MP-CMS-1 MP-CMS-1-IS.1 MP-CMS-1-IS.1.a MP-CMS-1-IS.1.b MP-CMS-1-IS.1.c MP-CMS-1-IS.1.d MP-CMS-1-IS.1.e MP-CMS-1-IS.1.f |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 | MPL2.-3.8.5 |
| USA Federal NNPI (unclass) 2010 | 9-3.c 11-5 11-5.a 11-5.b |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | MP-5 |
| USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 | II.C.13.d |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | MP-05 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | MP-05 |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | 2.B.4 2.B.4.1 MP-5 |
| USA Federal HIPAA Security Rule NIST SP 800-66 R2 | § 164.310(d)(1) |
| USA Federal HIPAA Administrative Simplification 2013 | § 164.310(d)(1) |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | MP-05 |
EMEA (6)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | AM-05.01B.9 AM-11.03B AM-12.01B.6 AM-12.01B.7 |
| EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 | mp.si.3 mp.si.4 mp.si.5 |
| EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 | 12.3.2(c) |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 2024 | 2302 2506 |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L2 2024 | 2302 2506 |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L3 2024 | 2302 2506 |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Japan ISMAP | 8.3.3 8.3.3.1 8.3.3.2 8.3.3.3 8.3.3.4 8.3.3.5 13.2.2.5 |
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | 10.44(d) A1-4 A1-4(b) A1-4(c) |
Americas (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Argentina Reg 132 2018 | D.1.2-DS-3 |
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.08.05.A 03.08.05.B 03.08.05.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
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
Data Classification & Handling (DCH) 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 DCH domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with DCH 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 DCH domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Data classification and handling-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Data classification and handling management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ A formalized data classification scheme exists to identify categories of data, based on protection requirements from applicable laws, regulations and/or contractual obligations. ▪ Data classification and handling criteria govern user behavior for media handling.
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 protect and control digital and non-digital media during transport outside of controlled areas using appropriate security measures.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Data Classification & Handling (DCH) 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
- DCH-16_A01 access to media containing sensitive / regulated data is controlled.
- DCH-16_A02 accountability for media containing sensitive / regulated data is maintained during transport outside of controlled areas.
- DCH-16_A03 types of system media to protect and control during transport outside of controlled areas are defined.
- DCH-16_A04 personnel authorized to conduct media transport activities is/are identified.
- DCH-16_A05 activities associated with the transport of system media are restricted to identified authorized personnel.
- DCH-16_A06 controls used to protect system media outside of controlled areas are defined.
- DCH-16_A07 controls used to control system media outside of controlled areas are defined.
- DCH-16_A08 system media that contain sensitive / regulated data are protected during transport outside of controlled areas.
- DCH-16_A09 system media that contain sensitive / regulated data are controlled during transport outside of controlled areas.
- DCH-16_A10 accountability for system media that contain sensitive / regulated data is maintained during transport outside of controlled areas.
- DCH-16_A11 activities associated with the transport of system media that contain sensitive / regulated data are documented.
- DCH-16_A12 system media that contain CUI are protected during transport outside of controlled areas.
- DCH-16_A13 system media that contain CUI are controlled during transport outside of controlled areas.
- DCH-16_A14 accountability for system media that contain CUI is maintained during transport outside of controlled areas.
- DCH-16_A15 activities associated with the transport of system media that contain CUI are documented.
Evidence Requirements
- E-DCH-14 Media Transportation Records
-
Documented evidence of media transportation records.
Data Protection
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Assigned couriers
Small
- Assigned couriers
Medium
- Assigned couriers
Large
- Assigned couriers
Enterprise
- Assigned couriers