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NET-41.5: Detection of Unsanctioned Information

NET 5 — Medium Detect

Automated mechanisms exist to implement security policy filters requiring fully enumerated formats that restrict data structure and content, when transferring information between different security domains.

Renumbered: Formerly NET-04.10 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to implement security policy filters requiring fully enumerated formats that restrict data structure and content, when transferring information between different security domains?

General (5)
Framework Mapping Values
NIST 800-53 R4 AC-4(15)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 AC-04(15)
NIST 800-82 R3 AC-04(15)
NIST 800-172 R3 03.01.17E
NIST 800-172A R3 DS-A.03.01.17E.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

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 implement security policy filters requiring fully enumerated formats that restrict data structure and content, when transferring information between different security domains.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Network Security (NET) 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. NET-41.5_A01 unsanctioned information to be detected is defined.
  2. NET-41.5_A02 cybersecurity / data privacy policy that requires the transfer of unsanctioned information between different security domains to be prohibited is defined.
  3. NET-41.5_A03 when transferring information between different security domains, information is examined for the presence of organization-defined unsanctioned information.
  4. NET-41.5_A04 when transferring information between different security domains, transfer of organization-defined unsanctioned information is prohibited in accordance with the organization-defined cybersecurity / data privacy policy.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Note: Typically not required at this size; email/cloud DLP basic rules (e.g., Microsoft Purview, Google Workspace DLP)

Small

  • DLP rules for detecting unsanctioned data in transfers

Medium

  • DLP solution with content inspection for unsanctioned information detection

Large

  • Enterprise DLP with keyword and pattern matching for unsanctioned info

Enterprise

  • Enterprise DLP platform (e.g., Microsoft Purview, Forcepoint)
  • ML-based unsanctioned information detection

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