DCH-37.6: Data Subject Attribute Associations
Mechanisms exist to require personnel to associate and maintain the association of cybersecurity and data protection attributes with individuals and objects in accordance with cybersecurity and data protection policies.
Renumbered: Formerly DCH-05.6 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization require personnel to associate and maintain the association of cybersecurity and data protection attributes with individuals and objects in accordance with cybersecurity and data protection policies?
General (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | AC-16(06) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | AC-16(06) |
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 require personnel to associate and maintain the association of cybersecurity and data protection attributes with individuals and objects in accordance with cybersecurity and data protection policies.
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
- DCH-37.6_A01 cybersecurity / data privacy attributes associated with subjects are defined.
- DCH-37.6_A02 cybersecurity / data privacy attributes associated with objects are defined.
- DCH-37.6_A03 subjects to be associated with cybersecurity / data privacy attributes are defined.
- DCH-37.6_A04 objects to be associated with cybersecurity / data privacy attributes are defined.
- DCH-37.6_A05 cybersecurity / data privacy policies that require personnel to associate and maintain the association of cybersecurity / data privacy attributes with subjects and objects.
- DCH-37.6_A06 personnel are required to associate and maintain the association of organization-defined cybersecurity / data privacy attributes with organization-defined subjects in accordance with organization-defined policies.
- DCH-37.6_A07 personnel are required to associate and maintain the association of organization-defined cybersecurity / data privacy attributes with organization-defined objects in accordance with organization-defined policies.
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