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DCH-39: Data Rights Management (DRM)

DCH 6 — Medium Protect

Mechanisms exist to utilize Data Rights Management (DRM), or similar technologies, to protect Intellectual Property (IP) rights by preventing the unauthorized distribution and/or modification of sensitive IP.

Renumbered: Formerly DCH-27 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization utilize Data Rights Management (DRM), or similar technologies, to protect Intellectual Property (IP) rights by preventing the unauthorized distribution and/or modification of sensitive IP?

US (2)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture 2.0 5.3
USA Federal DoD Zero Trust Execution Roadmap v1.1 4.3.4 4.4.2 4.5 4.5.1 4.5.2 4.5.3 4.5.4 4.5.5 4.7 4.7.4 4.7.6 4.7.7
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 A10-B12(b)

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

Data Classification & Handling (DCH) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with DCH domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Data management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.

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 utilize Data Rights Management (DRM), or similar technologies, to protect Intellectual Property (IP) rights by preventing the unauthorized distribution and/or modification of sensitive IP.

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-39_A01 Data Rights Management (DRM), or similar technologies, are implemented.
  2. DCH-39_A02 Data Rights Management (DRM), or similar technologies, are configured to protect Intellectual Property (IP) rights by preventing the unauthorized distribution and/or modification of sensitive IP.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Data Rights Management (DRM) solution

Small

  • Data Rights Management (DRM) solution

Medium

  • Data Rights Management (DRM) solution

Large

  • Data Rights Management (DRM) solution

Enterprise

  • Data Rights Management (DRM) solution

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