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NET-20.4: Domain-Based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC)

NET 3 — Low Protect

Mechanisms exist to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Control Question: Does the organization implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC)?

General (3)
Framework Mapping Values
CIS CSC 8.1 9.5
SCF CORE ESP Level 2 Critical Infrastructure NET-20.4
SCF CORE ESP Level 3 Advanced Threats NET-20.4
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
US DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.PEP.EM.DSVIE
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 2315
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2024 ISM-1540

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

There is no evidence of a capability to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Level 1 — Performed Informally

C|P-CMM1 is N/A, since a structured process is required to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

C|P-CMM2 is N/A, since a well-defined process is required to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Network Security (NET) efforts are standardized across the organization and centrally managed, where technically feasible, to ensure consistency. CMM Level 3 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • A Technology Infrastructure team, or similar function, defines centrally-managed network security controls for implementation across the enterprise.
  • Secure engineering principles are used to design and implement network security controls (e.g., industry-recognized secure practices) to enforce the concepts of least privilege and least functionality at the network level.
  • IT/cybersecurity architects work with the Technology Infrastructure team to implement a “layered defense” network architecture that provides a defense-in-depth approach for redundancy and risk reduction for network-based security controls, including wired and wireless networking.
  • Administrative processes and technologies configure boundary devices (e.g., firewalls, routers, etc.) to deny network traffic by default and allow network traffic by exception (e.g., deny all, permit by exception).
  • Technologies automate the Access Control Lists (ACLs) and similar rulesets review process to identify security issues and/ or misconfigurations.
  • Network segmentation exists to implement separate network addresses (e.g., different subnets) to connect systems in different security domains (e.g., sensitive/regulated data environments).
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

See C|P-CMM3. There are no defined C|P-CMM4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

See C|P-CMM4. There are no defined C|P-CMM5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Assessment Objectives

  1. NET-20.4_A01 domain signature verification protections are implemented to authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Technology Recommendations

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