NET-41.4: Decomposition Into Policy-Related Subcomponents
Automated mechanisms exist to decompose information into policy-relevant subcomponents for submission to policy enforcement mechanisms, when transferring information between different security domains.
Renumbered: Formerly NET-04.9 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to decompose information into policy-relevant subcomponents for submission to policy enforcement mechanisms, when transferring information between different security domains?
General (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-53 R4 | AC-4(13) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | AC-04(13) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | AC-04(13) |
| NIST 800-172 R3 | 03.01.16E |
| NIST 800-172A R3 | A.03.01.16E.ODP[01] |
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 automatically decompose information into policy-relevant subcomponents for submission to policy enforcement mechanisms, when transferring information between different security domains.
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-41.4_A01 policy-relevant subcomponents into which to decompose information for submission to policy enforcement mechanisms are defined.
- NET-41.4_A02 when transferring information between different security domains, information is decomposed into organization-defined policy-relevant subcomponents for submission to policy enforcement mechanisms.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Note: Typically not required at this size
Small
- Note: Typically not required at this size
Medium
- Documented policy decomposition approach for network access
Large
- Formal policy decomposition methodology
- Modular policy design
Enterprise
- Enterprise policy framework with decomposed network access policies
- Automated policy engine