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DCH-21: Removable Media Security

DCH 10 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to restrict removable media in accordance with data handling and acceptable usage parameters.

Renumbered: Formerly DCH-12 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, DCH-21 was Information Disposal. That control is now DCH-17.

Control Question: Does the organization restrict removable media in accordance with data handling and acceptable usage parameters?

General (10)
US (2)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CISA CPG 2022 2.V
USA Federal C2M2 2.1 ARCHITECTURE-3g
EMEA (9)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany C5 2026 AM-05.01B.12 AM-12.01B AM-12.01B.2 AM-12.01B.5
EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 mp.si.3 mp.si.4 mp.si.5
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 11.2(e) Article 11.2(f)(iii)
EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 12.3.1 12.3.2(a) 12.3.2(d)
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 OTCC-1 2022 2-3-1-9
APAC (7)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-1359 ISM-1713
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 10.44(d) A1
APAC New Zealand HISF Microsmall 2023 HMS09
APAC New Zealand HISF MLHSP 2023 HHSP14 HML14
APAC New Zealand HISF Suppliers 2023 HSUP12
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 13.3.6.C.01 13.3.6.C.02 13.3.6.C.03 13.3.10.C.01
APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 5.11.1 5.11.3
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 removable media in accordance with data handling and acceptable usage parameters.

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-21_A01 removable media restrictions are in accordance with data handling and acceptable usage requirements.

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

Small

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

Medium

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

Large

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

Enterprise

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

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