DCH-16.2: Encrypting Data Outside of Controlled Areas
Cryptographic mechanisms exist to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information stored on digital media during transport outside of controlled areas.
Renumbered: Formerly DCH-07.2 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Are cryptographic mechanisms utilized to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information stored on digital media during transport outside of controlled areas?
General (18)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| CSA CCM 4.1.0 | DCS-05 |
| GovRAMP | SC-28(01) |
| GovRAMP Moderate | SC-28(01) |
| GovRAMP High | SC-28(01) |
| ISO 27002 2022 | 7.10 |
| ISO 27018 2025 | 7.10 |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | MP-5(4) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | SC-28(01) |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) | SC-28(01) |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) | SC-28(01) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | SC-28(01) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | SC-28(01) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | SC-28(01) |
| NIST 800-160 Vol2 R1 | SC-28(01) |
| NIST 800-171 R2 (source) | 3.8.6 |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.08.05.a |
| NIST 800-171A (source) | 3.8.6 |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.08.05.a[02] |
US (9)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | MP-5.a MP-5-IS.2 MP-5(4) |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 | MPL2.-3.8.6 |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | SC-28(1) |
| USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 | II.C.13.d |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (low) | SC-28(01) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | SC-28(01) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | SC-28(01) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | SC-28(CE-1) |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | SC-28 (01) |
EMEA (6)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany FDPA 2017 | 3.4.64(3)8 |
| 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 |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L2 2024 | 2302 |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L3 2024 | 2302 |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1059 |
| APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 | 8.4.13.C.01 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.08.05.A |
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.
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 cryptographic capability exists to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information stored on digital media during transport outside of controlled areas.
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
- DCH-16.2_A01 information requiring cryptographic protection is defined.
- DCH-16.2_A02 system components or media requiring cryptographic protection is/are defined.
- DCH-16.2_A03 cryptographic mechanisms are implemented to prevent unauthorized disclosure and/or modification of information at rest on organization-defined system components or media.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Cryptographic governance program
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Microsoft BitLocker (https://microsoft.com)
Small
- Cryptographic governance program
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Microsoft BitLocker (https://microsoft.com)
Medium
- Cryptographic governance program
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Microsoft BitLocker (https://microsoft.com)
Large
- Cryptographic governance program
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Microsoft BitLocker (https://microsoft.com)
Enterprise
- Cryptographic governance program
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- NIST Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) (https://csrc.nist.gov)
- Microsoft BitLocker (https://microsoft.com)