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EMB-13: Embedded Technology Reviews

EMB 8 — High Identify

Mechanisms exist to perform evaluations of deployed embedded technologies as needed, or at least on an annual basis, to ensure that necessary updates to mitigate the risks associated with legacy embedded technologies are identified and implemented.

Renumbered: Formerly EMB-10 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, EMB-13 was Authorized Communications. That control is now EMB-17.

Control Question: Does the organization perform evaluations of deployed embedded technologies as needed, or at least on an annual basis, to ensure that necessary updates to mitigate the risks associated with legacy embedded technologies are identified and implemented?

General (1)
Framework Mapping Values
CSA IoT SCF 2 CCM-01 IOT-08
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal TSA / DHS 1580/82-2022-01 III.C.5
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA LUX CCSF 20/750 2020 3.4.6-47

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

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 perform evaluations of deployed embedded technologies as needed, or at least on an annual basis, to ensure that necessary updates to mitigate the risks associated with legacy embedded technologies are identified and implemented.

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-13_A01 deployed embedded technologies are evaluated per an organization-defined interval to identify and implement necessary updates that mitigate the risks associated with legacy embedded technologies.

Evidence Requirements

E-EMB-05 Embedded Technology Configuration Monitoring & Reviews

Documented evidence of embedded technology configuration monitoring, alteration prevention and periodic reviews.

Asset Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Vulnerability & Patch Management Program (VPMP)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Small

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Vulnerability & Patch Management Program (VPMP)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Medium

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Vulnerability & Patch Management Program (VPMP)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Large

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Vulnerability & Patch Management Program (VPMP)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Enterprise

  • Configuration Management (CM) program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Technology maintenance program
  • Vulnerability & Patch Management Program (VPMP)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

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