DCH-30: Geographic Data Location
Mechanisms exist to inventory, document and maintain data flows for data that is resident (permanently or temporarily) within geographically distributed Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) (physical and virtual).
Renumbered: Formerly DCH-19 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization inventory, document and maintain data flows for data that is resident (permanently or temporarily) within geographically distributed Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) (physical and virtual)?
General (14)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) | CC2.1-POF9 |
| CSA CCM 4.1.0 | DSP-19 |
| CSA IoT SCF 2 | DAT-04 LGL-08 |
| GovRAMP | SA-09(05) |
| GovRAMP High | SA-09(05) |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | SA-9(5) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | SA-09(05) SA-09(08) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | SA-09(05) SA-09(08) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 | SA-9(5) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 | SA-9(5) |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.04.11.a 03.04.11.b |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.04.11.a[01] A.03.04.11.b[01] A.03.04.11.b[02] |
| NIST CSF 2.0 (source) | ID.AM-03 |
| NIST Privacy Framework 1.0 | ID.IM-P7 ID.IM-P8 |
US (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | SA-9(5) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | SA-09(05) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | SA-09(05) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | SA-9(CE-5) SA-9(CE-8) |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | SA-09 (05) |
EMEA (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | PSS-12.01B |
| EMEA UK CAF 4.0 | B3.a |
| EMEA LUX CCSF 22/806 2022 | 112.b 142.g |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC India RBI Data Localization 2018 | 2.i |
| APAC India RBI PA 2025 | III.9.c Annex 1.1.16 Annex 1.2.3 |
Americas (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.04.11.A 03.04.11.B |
| Americas Canada OSFI B-13 2022 | 2.9.2 3.1.4 |
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. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to document where sensitive/regulated data is stored, transmitted and/or processed.
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 inventory, document and maintain data flows for data that is resident (permanently or temporarily) within a service's geographically distributed applications (physical and virtual), infrastructure, systems components and/or shared with other third-parties.
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
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. ▪ Based on predictive analysis, process improvements are implemented according to “continuous improvement” practices that affect process changes. ▪ Stakeholders make time-sensitive decisions to support operational efficiency, which may include automated remediation actions via Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.
Assessment Objectives
- DCH-30_A01 locations where information processing and data storage is/are to be restricted are defined.
- DCH-30_A02 requirements or conditions for restricting the location of information processing, information storage or information services are defined.
- DCH-30_A03 based on requirements, information processing, information storage or information services is/are restricted to locations.
- DCH-30_A04 the geographic location of information processing and data storage is restricted to facilities located within the legal jurisdictional boundary of the United States.
- DCH-30_A05 data flows for data that is resident (permanently or temporarily) within geographically distributed Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) (physical and virtual) are inventoried and documented.
- DCH-30_A06 the frequency at which to review and update the data flow inventory is defined.
- DCH-30_A07 the data flow inventory is reviewed and updated at the defined frequency and upon changes to the geographic distribution of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).
Evidence Requirements
- E-AST-23 Geolocation Inventory
-
Documented evidence of designated internal and third-party facilities where organizational data is stored, transmitted and/or processed.
Asset Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Data classification program
- Sensitive data inventories
- System Security & Privacy Plan (SSPP)
- Product / project management
Small
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Data classification program
- Sensitive data inventories
- System Security & Privacy Plan (SSPP)
- Product / project management
Medium
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Data classification program
- Sensitive data inventories
- System Security & Privacy Plan (SSPP)
- Product / project management
Large
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Data classification program
- Sensitive data inventories
- System Security & Privacy Plan (SSPP)
- Product / project management
- Data governance program
Enterprise
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Data classification program
- Sensitive data inventories
- System Security & Privacy Plan (SSPP)
- Product / project management
- Data governance program