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MDM-03: Restricting Access To Authorized Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS)

MDM 8 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to restrict the connectivity of unauthorized mobile devices from communicating with organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).

Renumbered: Formerly MDM-11 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, MDM-03 was Full Device & Container-Based Encryption. That control is now MDM-04.

Control Question: Does the organization restrict the connectivity of unauthorized mobile devices from communicating with organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS)?

General (4)
Framework Mapping Values
IEC 62443-3-3 2013 SR 2.3(a) SR 2.3(c) SR 2.3 RE 1
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.01.18.b
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.01.18.b
Shared Assessments SIG 2025 M.1.2
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 2-5-1-1
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 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

Mobile Device Management (MDM) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with MDM domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ MDM-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ MDM is mostly administrative in nature (e.g., policies & standards) that rely on administrative “acceptable use” restrictions to govern mobile device usage. ▪ MDM software is used to restrict the data that is stored/processed/transmitted on organization-owned and/or applicable Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) (e.g., personal devices). ▪ MDM software is used to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive/regulated data (e.g., cryptographic containerization).

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Mobile Device Management (MDM) 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 MDM 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 MDM 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 MDM domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of mobile device security operations (e.g., Mobile Device Management (MDM) 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 MDM 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 restrict the connectivity of unauthorized mobile devices from communicating with organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).

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. MDM-03_A01 unauthorized mobile devices are restricted from communicating with organizational Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).

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

  • Mobile device policy (lock screen, encryption)

Small

  • Mobile device policy
  • MDM solution (e.g., Microsoft Intune)
  • BYOD policy

Medium

  • MDM/EMM solution (e.g., Microsoft Intune, Jamf)
  • Mobile device policy

Large

  • Enterprise MDM/UEM (e.g., Microsoft Intune, VMware Workspace ONE)
  • Mobile threat defense

Enterprise

  • Enterprise UEM platform (e.g., Microsoft Intune, JAMF)
  • MTD solution
  • Zero-trust mobile access

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