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HRS-12.3: High-Risk Terminations

HRS 9 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to expedite the process of removing "high risk" individual's access to Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) upon termination, as determined by management.

Renumbered: Formerly HRS-09.2 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization expedite the process of removing "high risk" individual's access to Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD) upon termination, as determined by management?

General (19)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC1.5
CSA CCM 4.1.0 IAM-07
GovRAMP AC-02(13)
GovRAMP High AC-02(13)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 AC-02(13)
NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) AC-02(13)
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) AC-02(13)
NIST 800-82 R3 AC-02(13)
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay AC-02(13)
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay AC-02(13)
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.09.02.a.01 03.09.02.a.02 03.09.02.b.01
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.09.02.a.01 A.03.09.02.a.02[01] A.03.09.02.a.02[02] A.03.09.02.b.01[01]
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 8.2.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A (source) 8.2.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) 8.2.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) 8.2.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) 8.2.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 8.2.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 8.2.5
US (4)
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.09.02.A.01 03.09.02.A.02 03.09.02.B.01

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.

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 expedite the process of removing "high risk" individual's access to TAASD upon termination, as determined by management.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Human Resources Security (HRS) 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. HRS-12.3_A01 time period within which to disable accounts of individuals who are discovered to pose significant risk is defined.
  2. HRS-12.3_A02 significant risks leading to disabling accounts are defined.
  3. HRS-12.3_A03 accounts of individuals are disabled within an organization-defined time period of discovery of organization-defined significant risks.
  4. HRS-12.3_A04 individuals with access to sensitive / regulated data are identified.
  5. HRS-12.3_A05 adverse information about individuals with access to sensitive / regulated data is defined.
  6. HRS-12.3_A06 organizational systems to which individuals have access are identified.
  7. HRS-12.3_A07 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-19 Deprovisioning Checklist (Offboarding)

Documented evidence of personnel management practices to formally offboard personnel from their assigned roles due to employment termination or role change.

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

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