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MDM-04: Full Device & Container-Based Encryption

MDM 9 — Critical Protect

Cryptographic mechanisms exist to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information on mobile devices through full-device or container encryption.

Renumbered: Formerly MDM-03 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, MDM-04 was Mobile Device Tampering. That control is now MDM-10.

Control Question: Are cryptographic mechanisms utilized to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information on mobile devices through full-device or container encryption?

General (16)
US (8)
EMEA (7)
APAC (4)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-0869
APAC India RBI Digital Payments 2021 56.e
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 21.1.13.C.01 22.1.14.C.01 22.1.14.C.02
APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 5.11.4
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.01.18.C

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. ▪ 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

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 cryptographic capability exists to protect the confidentiality and integrity of information on mobile devices through full-device or container encryption.

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. MDM-04_A01 mobile devices on which to employ encryption are defined.
  2. MDM-04_A02 full-device or container-based encryption is implemented to protect the confidentiality of sensitive / regulated data on mobile devices.
  3. MDM-04_A03 mobile devices and mobile computing platforms that process, store or transmit sensitive / regulated data are identified.
  4. MDM-04_A04 encryption is employed to protect sensitive / regulated data on identified mobile devices and mobile computing platforms
  5. MDM-04_A05 full-device or container-based encryption is implemented to protect the confidentiality of CUI on mobile devices.

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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