DCH-41: Control Assurance Automation (CAA) Aggregated Telemetry
Mechanisms exist to classify and protect aggregated Control Assurance Automation (CAA) telemetry commensurate with the elevated sensitivity that aggregation can create.
Control Question: Does the organization classify and protect aggregated Control Assurance Automation (CAA) telemetry commensurate with the elevated sensitivity that aggregation can create?
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. ▪ A basic data classification process exists to identify categories of sensitive/regulated data for compliance-related protection requirements. ▪ Data protection controls are primarily administrative in nature (e.g., policies & standards) to classify, protect and dispose of systems and data, including storage media.
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.
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).
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-41_A01 aggregated Control Assurance Automation (CAA) telemetry is assessed to determine whether aggregation elevates its sensitivity above that of the individual source data.
- DCH-41_A02 aggregated Control Assurance Automation (CAA) telemetry is assigned a classification commensurate with its assessed aggregated sensitivity in accordance with the organization's data classification scheme.
- DCH-41_A03 aggregated Control Assurance Automation (CAA) telemetry is protected in accordance with the handling requirements for its assigned classification, including access restriction, encryption and logging of access.
- DCH-41_A04 the classification of aggregated Control Assurance Automation (CAA) telemetry is reviewed at a defined frequency and when new data sources are added to the aggregation.
Evidence Requirements
- E-CPL-12 Control Assurance Automation (CAA) Evidence Integrity Records
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Documented evidence of integrity and chain-of-custody protections for automatically collected evidence, including tamper-evident storage, authorized data feed reconciliation and protection of aggregated telemetry.
Compliance
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Compliance evidence stored in an access-restricted, encrypted cloud folder
- Evidence folder classified as confidential
Small
- Evidence repository classified as confidential/restricted
- Access limited to compliance and security personnel
- Encryption at rest (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)
Medium
- GRC solution (e.g., SCFConnect, Cyturus, SureCloud, SimpleRisk, Ignyte, ZenGRC, Galvanize, MetricStream, Archer, etc.) with role-based access
- Repository classified per data classification standard
- Encryption at rest and in transit
Large
- Compliance automation platform with RBAC and encryption (e.g., Hyperproof, Drata, Vanta)
- Aggregated telemetry classified as restricted
- Access logging and periodic review
Enterprise
- Enterprise GRC / CCM platform with data classification labels, RBAC and encryption
- DLP monitoring of the evidence repository
- Retention limits and access reviews for aggregated telemetry