NET-03.4: Direct Internet Access Restrictions
Mechanisms exist to prohibit, or strictly-control, Internet access from sensitive and/or regulated data enclaves (secure zones).
Renumbered: Formerly NET-06.5 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, NET-03.4 was Personal Data (PD). That control is now NET-03.12.
Control Question: Does the organization prohibit, or strictly-control, Internet access from sensitive and/or regulated data enclaves (secure zones)?
General (7)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| MPA Content Security Program 5.3.1 | TS-2.8 |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | SC-07(28) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | SC-07(28) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay | SC-07(28) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | SC-07(28) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | SC-07(28) |
| SWIFT CSF 2025 | 1.4 |
US (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CISA CPG 2022 | 2.X |
| USA Federal 33 CFR Part 101 Subpart F | 101.650(e)(3)(iv) 101.650(e)(3)(v) |
EMEA (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 | 2-4-1-3 2-4-1-6 |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 | 2-4-1-7 |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1863 |
| APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 | 5.6.3 |
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
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
Network Security (NET) 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 NET 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 NET domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A network security management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain NET domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of network security operations (e.g., network management solution and log aggregator). ▪ 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 NET 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). ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) enforce the principles of least privileges and least functionality for boundary protection technologies. ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to prohibit, or strictly-control, Internet access from sensitive/regulated data enclaves (secure zones).
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
- NET-03.4_A01 Internet access from sensitive / regulated data enclaves (secure zones) is prohibited or strictly controlled.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Small
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Medium
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Large
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Enterprise
- Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
- Access Control Lists (ACLs)