EMB-18: Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) Security
Mechanisms exist to ensure embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Control Question: Does the organization ensure embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)?
General (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| CSA IoT SCF 2 | IOT-06 IOT-07 IOT-09 |
US (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| US DHS ZTCF | SYS-05 |
Capability Maturity Model
Level 0 — Not Performed
There is no evidence of a capability to ensure embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Level 1 — Performed Informally
C|P-CMM1 is N/A, since a structured process is required to ensure embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
C|P-CMM2 is N/A, since a well-defined process is required to ensure embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Level 3 — Well Defined
Embedded Technology (EMB) efforts are standardized across the organization and centrally managed, where technically feasible, to ensure consistency. CMM Level 3 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:
- An IT Asset Management (ITAM) function, or similar function, categorizes embedded technologies according to the data the asset stores, transmits and/ or processes to ensure that the appropriate technology controls are applied to protect the asset and the data it stores, transmits or processes.
- An IT infrastructure team, or similar function, ensures that statutory, regulatory and contractual cybersecurity and data privacy obligations are addressed to ensure secure configurations for embedded technologies are designed, built and maintained for embedded technologies.
- Cybersecurity personnel perform annual evaluations of deployed embedded technologies to identify necessary updates to mitigate any newly discovered risks associated with legacy embedded technologies.
- Configurations for embedded technologies conform to industry-recognized standards for hardening (e.g., DISA STIGs, CIS Benchmarks or OEM security guides) for test, development, staging and production environments.
- Configuration management of embedded technologies is centralized for all operating systems, applications, servers and other technologies that are capable of being configured.
- Special baseline configurations for embedded technologies are created for higher-risk environments.
- Deviations to baseline configurations for embedded technologies are required to have a risk assessment and the business process owner accepts the risk(s) associated with the deviation.
- Unauthorized configuration changes to embedded technologies are responded to in accordance with an Incident Response Plan (IRP) to determine if the unauthorized configuration is malicious in nature.
- A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is used to help ensure the protection of sensitive/regulated data processed, stored or transmitted on embedded technologies, so that cybersecurity and data protection controls are implemented in accordance with applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations.
- Embedded technologies use a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
See C|P-CMM3. There are no defined C|P-CMM4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to ensure embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Level 5 — Continuously Improving
See C|P-CMM4. There are no defined C|P-CMM5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to ensure embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Assessment Objectives
- EMB-18_A01 embedded technologies utilize a securely configured Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Configuration Management (CM) program
- Product / project management
Small
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Configuration Management (CM) program
- Product / project management
Medium
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Configuration Management (CM) program
- Product / project management
Large
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Configuration Management (CM) program
- Product / project management
Enterprise
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
- Configuration Management (CM) program
- Product / project management