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DCH-19: Digital Media Use Restrictions

DCH 8 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to restrict the use of types of digital media on systems or system components.

Renumbered: Formerly DCH-10 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, DCH-19 was Geographic Location of Data. That control is now DCH-30.

Control Question: Does the organization restrict the use of types of digital media on systems or system components?

General (21)
US (11)
EMEA (8)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany C5 2026 AM-05.01B.12 AM-12.01B.1 AM-12.01B.2
EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 mp.si.3 mp.si.4 mp.si.5
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 11.2(e) Article 35.1(b)
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 2024 2310
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L1 2024 2310
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L2 2024 2310
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L3 2024 2310
EMEA Saudi Arabia ECC-1 2018 5-1-3-5
APAC (3)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-0341 ISM-0343
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 A1-3
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 13.3.4.C.01
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.08.07.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 capability exists to restrict the use of types of digital media on systems or system components.

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

  1. DCH-19_A01 the use of removable media on system components is controlled.
  2. DCH-19_A02 organization-defined types of system media are restricted or prohibited.
  3. DCH-19_A03 types of system media with usage restrictions or that are prohibited from use are defined.
  4. DCH-19_A04 systems or system components on which the use of specific types of system media to be restricted or prohibited are defined.
  5. DCH-19_A05 controls to restrict or prohibit the use of specific types of system media on systems or system components are defined.
  6. DCH-19_A06 the use of types of system media is organization-defined criteria on systems or system components using controls.
  7. DCH-19_A07 the use of portable storage devices in organizational systems is prohibited when such devices have no identifiable owner.
  8. DCH-19_A08 the use of the following types of system media is restricted or prohibited: <A.03.08.07.ODP[01]: types of system media>.

Evidence Requirements

E-DCH-18 Removable Media Controls

Documented evidence of removable media and portable storage device restrictions and use authorizations.

Data Protection

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Small

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Medium

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Large

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Enterprise

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

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