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MNT-11: Maintenance Tools

MNT 5 — Medium Protect

Mechanisms exist to control and monitor the use of system maintenance tools.

Renumbered: Formerly MNT-04 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, MNT-11 was Maintenance Monitoring. That control is now MNT-08.

Control Question: Does the organization control and monitor the use of system maintenance tools?

General (24)
Framework Mapping Values
CIS CSC 8.1 2.7
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 2.7
GovRAMP MA-03
GovRAMP Core MA-03
GovRAMP Low+ MA-03
GovRAMP Moderate MA-03
GovRAMP High MA-03
ISO/SAE 21434 2021 RQ-05-14
NIST 800-53 R4 MA-3
NIST 800-53 R5.2 MA-03 MA-03(05) MA-03(06)
NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) MA-03
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) MA-03
NIST 800-82 R3 MA-03 MA-03(05) MA-03(06)
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay MA-03
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay MA-03
NIST 800-161 R1 MA-3
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 MA-3
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 MA-3
NIST 800-171 R2 (source) 3.7.2
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.07.04.a
NIST 800-171A (source) 3.7.2[a] 3.7.2[b] 3.7.2[c] 3.7.2[d]
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.07.04.a[01] A.03.07.04.a[02] A.03.07.04.a[03]
NIST 800-172 R3 03.07.01E
NIST 800-172A R3 DS-A.03.07.01E
US (7)
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.07.04.A

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

Maintenance (MNT) 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 MNT domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with MNT 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 MNT domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Maintenance-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Asset management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ IT personnel, in conjunction with asset custodians, develop and maintain facilitate localized/regionalized procedures to conduct controlled and timely maintenance activities throughout the lifecycle of the Technology Asset, Application and/or Service (TAAS). ▪ Maintenance operations may be centralized for certain locations (e.g., datacenters) and decentralized for other locations, both in terms of change management and execution. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel control and monitor the use of system maintenance tools.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Maintenance (MNT) 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 MNT 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 MNT domain capabilities (e.g., maintenance pans) are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ A centralized Change Management Office (CMO), or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain MNT domain capabilities. ▪ Technical procedures (e.g., ITIL change enablement) are utilized along with change management governance capabilities to ensure successful, efficient and secure maintenance operations. ▪ 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 MNT 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 control and monitor the use of system maintenance tools.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Maintenance (MNT) 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. MNT-11_A01 tools used to conduct system maintenance are controlled.
  2. MNT-11_A02 techniques used to conduct system maintenance are controlled.
  3. MNT-11_A03 mechanisms used to conduct system maintenance are controlled.
  4. MNT-11_A04 personnel used to conduct system maintenance are controlled.
  5. MNT-11_A05 the use of maintenance tools that execute with increased privilege is monitored.
  6. MNT-11_A06 the frequency at which to review previously approved system maintenance tools is defined.
  7. MNT-11_A07 the use of system maintenance tools is approved.
  8. MNT-11_A08 the use of system maintenance tools is controlled.
  9. MNT-11_A09 the use of system maintenance tools is monitored.
  10. MNT-11_A10 previously approved system maintenance tools are reviewed per an organization-defined frequency.
  11. MNT-11_A11 maintenance tools are inspected to ensure that the latest software updates and patches are installed.

Evidence Requirements

E-MNT-05 Maintenance Tool Inspection Records

Documented evidence of maintenance tool inspection records.

Maintenance

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Document maintenance activities in a log

Small

  • Maintenance log
  • Authorized maintenance personnel list

Medium

  • Formal maintenance management program
  • CMMS or ticketing system

Large

  • CMMS (e.g., Maximo, ServiceNow)
  • Scheduled maintenance program
  • Vendor access controls

Enterprise

  • Enterprise CMMS platform
  • Automated maintenance scheduling
  • Vendor access controls
  • Remote access controls

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