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END-12: Host Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS)

END 9 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to utilize Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS), or similar technologies, to monitor for and protect against anomalous host activity, including lateral movement across the network.

Renumbered: Formerly END-07 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, END-12 was Port & Input / Output (I/O) Device Access. That control is now CFG-05.1.

Control Question: Does the organization utilize Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS), or similar technologies, to monitor for and protect against anomalous host activity, including lateral movement across the network?

General (10)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC6.8
CIS CSC 8.1 13.2 13.7
CIS CSC 8.1 IG2 13.2
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 13.2 13.7
CSA IoT SCF 2 CLS-14 SAP-06
MPA Content Security Program 5.3.1 TS-2.7
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.14.06.a.01 03.14.06.a.02 03.14.06.b 03.14.06.c
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.14.06.a.01[01] A.03.14.06.a.01[02] A.03.14.06.b
Shared Assessments SIG 2025 N.7
SWIFT CSF 2025 6.5A
US (2)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.PEP.IN.IDPSY 3.PEP.SE.ACMIT 3.PEP.WE.ACMIT
USA New York DFS 23 NYCRR500 2023 Amd 2 500.14(b)(1)
APAC (2)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-1034 ISM-1341 ISM-1418
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 18.4.13.C.01
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.14.06.A.01 03.14.06.A.02 03.14.06.B 03.14.06.C

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

Endpoint Security (END) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with END domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Endpoint security 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

Endpoint Security (END) 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 END domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with END 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 END domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Endpoint security-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Endpoint security 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

Endpoint Security (END) 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 END 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 END domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An endpoint technology management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain END domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of endpoint security operations (e.g., unified endpoint 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 END 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 Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS), or similar technologies, to monitor for and protect against anomalous host activity, including lateral movement across the network.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Endpoint Security (END) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

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. END-12_A01 Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS), or similar technologies, are deployed on business-critical systems.
  2. END-12_A02 Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS), or similar technologies, are deployed on systems that store, process and/or transmit sensitive / regulated data.

Evidence Requirements

E-END-01 Endpoint Security Tools

Documented evidence of endpoint security tools employed by the organization to ensure secure, compliant and resilient Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) (e.g., antimalware, FIM, etc.).

Endpoint Security

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS)

Small

  • Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS)

Medium

  • Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS)

Large

  • Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS)

Enterprise

  • Host-based Intrusion Detection / Prevention Systems (HIDS / HIPS)

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