HRS-10.1: Workplace Investigations
Mechanisms exist to conduct employee misconduct investigations when there is reasonable assurance that a policy has been violated.
Renumbered: Formerly HRS-07.1 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization conduct employee misconduct investigations when there is reasonable assurance that a policy has been violated?
General (6)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) | CC1.1 CC1.5 CC2.2-POF3 CC2.3-POF4 |
| COSO 2013 | 1.0 5.0 |
| ISO 27002 2022 | 6.4 |
| ISO 27018 2025 | 6.4 |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.01.01.f.04 03.01.01.f.05 |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.01.01.f.04 A.03.01.01.f.05 |
US (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal C2M2 2.1 | WORKFORCE-1g |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 3 | PS.L3-3.9.2E |
| USA Federal FACTA & FCRA 2023 | 606(b) |
EMEA (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | HR-04.02B.1 |
| EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 | 10.4.1 |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC New Zealand HISF MLHSP 2023 | HHSP03 HHSP73 HML03 HML73 |
| APAC New Zealand HISF Suppliers 2023 | HSUP03 HSUP64 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.01.01.F.04 03.01.01.F.05 |
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
Human Resources Security (HRS) 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 HRS domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with HRS 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 HRS domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Personnel management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Personnel management is decentralized at a localized/regionalized function, where there are non-standardized methods to govern personnel matters across the organization. ▪ Localized HR practices are implemented for hiring, managing, training, investigating and terminating employees, contractors and other personnel that work on behalf of the organization. ▪ Requests for investigations are handled through a formal, management-approved process.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Human Resources Security (HRS) 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 HRS 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 HRS domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A Human Resources (HR) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain HRS domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of human resources security operations (e.g., personnel management software 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 HRS 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 conduct employee misconduct investigations when there is reasonable assurance that a policy has been violated.
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
- HRS-10.1_A01 individuals with access to sensitive / regulated data are identified.
- HRS-10.1_A02 adverse information about individuals with access to sensitive / regulated data is defined.
- HRS-10.1_A03 organizational systems to which individuals have access are identified.
- HRS-10.1_A04 mechanisms are in place to protect organizational systems if adverse information develops or is obtained about individuals with access to sensitive / regulated data.
Evidence Requirements
- E-HRS-27 Personnel Sanctions
-
Documented evidence of personnel management practices to formally sanction unacceptable behavior(s).
Human Resources
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Employee security policy acknowledgment
- Background check for sensitive roles
Small
- Security awareness policy
- Background checks
- Security onboarding checklist
Medium
- HR security program
- Background checks for all staff
- Security onboarding training
Large
- Enterprise HR security program
- Background screening service
- Automated offboarding workflows
Enterprise
- Enterprise HR security framework
- Background screening platform
- Integrated HR/IAM offboarding
- Continuous monitoring