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DCH-20: Portable Storage Devices

DCH 9 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to restrict or prohibit the use of portable storage devices by users on external systems.

Renumbered: Formerly DCH-13.2 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, DCH-20 was Archived Data Sets. That control is now DCH-27.2.

Control Question: Does the organization restrict or prohibit the use of portable storage devices by users on external systems?

General (18)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC6.7 CC6.7-POF3
COBIT 2019 DSS06.06
GovRAMP AC-20(02)
GovRAMP Moderate AC-20(02)
GovRAMP High AC-20(02)
IEC 62443-2-1 2024 COMP 1.2
NIST 800-53 R4 AC-20(2) AC-20(5)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 AC-20(02) AC-20(05)
NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) AC-20(02)
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) AC-20(02)
NIST SP 800-66 R2 164.310(d)
NIST 800-82 R3 AC-20(02) AC-20(05)
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay AC-20(02)
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay AC-20(02)
NIST 800-171 R2 (source) 3.1.21
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.01.20.a 03.01.20.d
NIST 800-171A (source) 3.1.21[a] 3.1.21[b] 3.1.21[c]
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.01.20.a A.03.01.20.d
US (8)
EMEA (3)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Spain Royal Decree 311 2022 Article 22(1)
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 11.2(f)(iii)
EMEA Saudi Arabia ECC-1 2018 2-3-3-2 5-1-3-5
APAC (2)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 11.8.11.C.01 11.8.11.C-02 13.3.7.C.01 13.3.7.C.02 13.3.8.C.01 13.3.8.C.02 13.3.9.C.01 13.3.9.C.02 13.3.10.C.01
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 11.1.4
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.01.20.A 03.01.20.D

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 or prohibit the use of portable storage devices by users on external systems.

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-20_A01 the use of portable storage devices containing sensitive / regulated data on external systems is identified and documented.
  2. DCH-20_A02 limits on the use of portable storage devices containing sensitive / regulated data on external systems are defined.
  3. DCH-20_A03 the use of portable storage devices containing sensitive / regulated data on external systems is limited as defined.
  4. DCH-20_A04 restrictions on the use of organization-controlled portable storage devices by authorized individuals on external systems are defined.
  5. DCH-20_A05 the use of organization-controlled portable storage devices by authorized individuals on external systems is restricted.

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)
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Small

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Medium

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Large

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

Enterprise

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program

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