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IAC-35: Access Control For Mobile Devices

IAC 9 — Critical Protect

Automated mechanisms exist to enforce access control requirements for the connection of mobile devices to organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).

Renumbered: Formerly MDM-02 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization enforce access control requirements for the connection of mobile devices to organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS)?

General (27)
Framework Mapping Values
GovRAMP AC-19
GovRAMP Low AC-19
GovRAMP Low+ AC-19
GovRAMP Moderate AC-19
GovRAMP High AC-19
ISO 27002 2022 8.1
ISO 27017 2015 6.2.1
ISO 27018 2025 8.1
MITRE ATT&CK 16 T1020.001 T1040 T1070.008 T1114 T1114.001 T1114.002 T1114.003 T1119 T1530 T1550.001 T1552 T1552.004 T1557 T1557.002 T1557.004 T1558 T1558.002 T1558.003 T1558.004 T1565 T1565.001 T1565.002 T1602 T1602.001 T1602.002
NIST 800-53 R4 AC-19
NIST 800-53 R5.2 AC-19
NIST 800-53B R5 (low) (source) AC-19
NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) AC-19
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) AC-19
NIST 800-82 R3 AC-19
NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay AC-19
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay AC-19
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay AC-19
NIST 800-161 R1 AC-19
NIST 800-161 R1 C-SCRM Baseline AC-19
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 AC-19
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 AC-19
NIST 800-171 R2 (source) 3.1.18
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.01.18.a 03.01.18.b
NIST 800-171A (source) 3.1.18[a] 3.1.18[b] 3.1.18[c]
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.01.18.a[02] A.03.01.18.a[03] A.03.01.18.b
NIST 800-207 NIST Tenet 1
US (11)
EMEA (4)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 mp.eq.3 mp.eq.4
EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 2-5-1-1
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 2-5-1-3
EMEA Saudi Arabia SACS-002 2022 VII.B.TPC-84
APAC (3)
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.01.18.A 03.01.18.B

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

Mobile Device Management (MDM) 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 MDM domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with MDM 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 MDM domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ MDM-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ MDM may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel restrict the connection of personally-owned, mobile devices to organizational TAASD. ▪ Mobile devices containing sensitive/regulated data use MDM software to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information at rest (e.g., container encryption).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Identification & Authentication (IAC) 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 IAC 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 IAC domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An Identity & Access Management (IAM) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain IAC domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of IAM operations (e.g., directory services, Authenticate, Authorize and Audit (AAA) 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 IAC 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 enforce access control requirements for the connection of mobile devices to organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Mobile Device Management (MDM) 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. IAC-35_A01 configuration requirements are established for organization-controlled mobile devices, including when such devices are outside of the controlled area.
  2. IAC-35_A02 connection requirements are established for organization-controlled mobile devices, including when such devices are outside of the controlled area.
  3. IAC-35_A03 implementation guidance is established for organization-controlled mobile devices, including when such devices are outside of the controlled area.
  4. IAC-35_A04 the connection of mobile devices to the system is authorized.
  5. IAC-35_A05 mobile devices that process, store or transmit sensitive / regulated data are identified.
  6. IAC-35_A06 mobile device connections are monitored and logged.
  7. IAC-35_A07 access control requirements for the connection of mobile devices to organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) are enforced through automated mechanisms.

Evidence Requirements

E-MDM-01 Mobile Device Management (MDM) Configuration

Documented evidence of Mobile Device Management (MDM) configuration, including centralized management, access restrictions for unauthorized devices, device / container encryption, separate profiles and geofencing.

Endpoint Security

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
  • AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)

Small

  • Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
  • AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)

Medium

  • Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
  • AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)

Large

  • Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
  • AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)

Enterprise

  • Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
  • AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)

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