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EMB-07: Interface Security

EMB 4 — Medium Protect

Mechanisms exist to protect embedded devices against unauthorized use of the physical factory diagnostic and test interface(s).

Renumbered: Formerly EMB-04 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, EMB-07 was Embedded Technology Maintenance. That control is now EMB-10.

Control Question: Does the organization protect embedded devices against unauthorized use of the physical factory diagnostic and test interface(s)?

General (2)
Framework Mapping Values
CSA IoT SCF 2 IOT-05 PHY-01
SPARTA 4.0 CM0037
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CISA CPG 2022 2.V
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Saudi Arabia IoT CGIoT-1 2024 2-14-1
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia IoT Code of Practice 2024 13.0

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

Embedded Technology (EMB) 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 EMB domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with EMB 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 EMB domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Embedded technology-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Embedded technology management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Embedded technologies (e.g., IoT and OT) are governed according to the same processes used for generic Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS), where no formal, dedicated embedded technology governance process exists. ▪ Business stakeholders and process owners are expected to take the initiative to work with IT and/or cybersecurity personnel to ensure applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual obligations are properly addressed, including the storage, transmission and processing of sensitive/regulated data. ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBCs) protect embedded technologies commensurate with the criticality of the device and/or sensitivity of the data, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and frameworks. ▪ Special baselines for embedded technologies configurations are created for higher-risk environments.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Embedded Technology (EMB) 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 EMB 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 EMB domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An embedded systems team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain EMB domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of embedded technology operations (e.g., Configuration Management Database (CMBD) Asset Management solution). ▪ 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 EMB 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 protect embedded devices against unauthorized use of the physical factory diagnostic and test interface(s).

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. EMB-07_A01 embedded devices are protected against unauthorized use of the physical factory diagnostic and test interface(s).

Evidence Requirements

E-EMB-01 Embedded Technology Network Separation

Documented evidence that embedded technologies (OT / IoT) are logically or physically separated from IT networks, with restricted and authorized communications.

Asset Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Small

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Medium

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Large

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Enterprise

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

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