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GOV-04.3: Periodic Review of Exceptions

GOV 7 — High Govern

Mechanisms exist to: (1) Periodically review previously-approved exceptions; and (2) Determine if the exception should be allowed to continue based on evolving risks and threats.

Control Question: Does the organization: (1) Periodically review previously-approved exceptions; and (2) Determine if the exception should be allowed to continue based on evolving risks and threats?

General (5)
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany C5 2026 SP-03.04B SP-03.02AC

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

Compliance (CPL) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CPL domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Compliance management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ Compliance efforts are narrowly-limited to certain compliance requirements. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel use an informal process to govern statutory, regulatory and contractual compliance obligations. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel perform internal assessments of cybersecurity and data protection controls to determine compliance status. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel use an informal process to notify stakeholders about audit activities to minimize the impact of audit/assessment activities on business operations.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Cybersecurity & Data Protection Governance (GOV) 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 GOV domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with GOV 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 GOV domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Governance-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ No formal Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team exists. GRC roles are assigned to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Cybersecurity & Data Protection Governance (GOV) 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 GOV 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 GOV domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain GOV 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). ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of governance, risk management and compliance operations (e.g., GRC platform).

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. GOV-04.3_A01 the frequency at which to review approved exceptions is defined.
  2. GOV-04.3_A02 approved exceptions are reviewed at the defined frequency against current risks and threats.
  3. GOV-04.3_A03 the determination of whether a reviewed exception is allowed to continue is documented, including the rationale and the approving individual or role.
  4. GOV-04.3_A04 exceptions determined not to continue are closed and the underlying non-conformity is remediated or re-submitted for approval.
  5. GOV-04.3_A05 records of exception reviews are retained that evidence the review date, the risks and threats considered and the continuation decision.

Evidence Requirements

E-GOV-06 Exception Management

Documented evidence of authorized exceptions to standards (e.g., configurations, practices, etc.)

Security, Compliance & Resilience Governance

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Manual annual review of the exception log
  • Documented exception request form with expiration date

Small

  • Annual exception review with documented continue/close decision
  • Exception register (spreadsheet or GRC solution (e.g., SCFConnect, Cyturus, SureCloud, SimpleRisk, Ignyte, ZenGRC, Galvanize, MetricStream, Archer, etc.))

Medium

  • GRC solution (e.g., SCFConnect, Cyturus, SureCloud, SimpleRisk, Ignyte, ZenGRC, Galvanize, MetricStream, Archer, etc.)
  • Time-bound exceptions with mandatory recertification
  • Exception review tied to the risk register

Large

  • GRC solution (e.g., SCFConnect, Cyturus, SureCloud, SimpleRisk, Ignyte, ZenGRC, Galvanize, MetricStream, Archer, etc.)
  • Time-limited exceptions with automated recertification reminders
  • Exception review and recertification process owned by the risk function

Enterprise

  • Enterprise exception management program integrated with GRC platform
  • Automated exception expiration and recertification workflows
  • Exception-to-risk register linkage with ongoing monitoring
  • Audit-ready exception review records

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