DCH-37.1: Dynamic Attribute Association
Mechanisms exist to dynamically associate cybersecurity and data protection attributes with individuals and objects as information is created, combined, or transformed, in accordance with organization-defined cybersecurity and data protection policies.
Renumbered: Formerly DCH-05.1 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization dynamically associate cybersecurity and data protection attributes with individuals and objects as information is created, combined, or transformed, in accordance with organization-defined cybersecurity and data protection policies?
General (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | AC-16(01) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | AC-16(01) |
US (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal DoD Zero Trust Execution Roadmap v1.1 | 1.6 |
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
SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).
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 dynamically associate cybersecurity and data protection attributes with individuals and objects as information is created, combined, or transformed, in accordance with organization-defined cybersecurity and data protection policies.
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-37.1_A01 subjects or objects with which cybersecurity / data privacy attributes are to be dynamically associated as information is created and combined are defined.
- DCH-37.1_A02 cybersecurity / data privacy policies requiring dynamic association of cybersecurity / data privacy attributes with subjects and objects are defined.
- DCH-37.1_A03 cybersecurity / data privacy attributes are dynamically associated with organization-defined subjects or objects as information is created or combined.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Data classification policy (public/internal/confidential)
Small
- Data classification policy
- Data handling procedures
Medium
- Data classification program
- DLP tools
- Data handling standards
Large
- Enterprise DLP solution (e.g., Microsoft Purview, Symantec DLP)
- Data classification tool
Enterprise
- Enterprise data governance platform (e.g., Collibra)
- DLP with automated classification
- Data lifecycle management