NET-45.1: Object Security Attributes
Mechanisms exist to associate security attributes with information, source and destination objects to enforce defined information flow control configurations as a basis for flow control decisions.
Renumbered: Formerly NET-04.2 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization associate security attributes with information, source and destination objects to enforce defined information flow control configurations as a basis for flow control decisions?
General (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-53 R4 | AC-4(1) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | AC-04(01) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | AC-04(01) |
| NIST 800-172 R3 | 03.01.10E |
| NIST 800-172A R3 | DS-A.03.01.10E A.03.01.10E.ODP[01] A.03.01.10E.ODP[02] A.03.01.10E.ODP[03] A.03.01.10E.ODP[04] |
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
Network Security (NET) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with NET domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Network security-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Network Security (NET) 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 NET domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with NET 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 NET domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Network security-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Network security 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 define secure networking practices to protect the Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability and Safety (CIAS) of the organization's TAASD. ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) enforce the principles of least privileges and least functionality for boundary protection technologies.
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 associate security attributes with information, source and destination objects to enforce defined information flow control configurations as a basis for flow control decisions.
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-45.1_A01 cybersecurity / data privacy attributes associated with information, source and destination objects are defined.
- NET-45.1_A02 information objects to be associated with cybersecurity / data privacy attributes are defined.
- NET-45.1_A03 source objects to be associated with cybersecurity / data privacy attributes are defined.
- NET-45.1_A04 destination objects to be associated with cybersecurity / data privacy attributes are defined.
- NET-45.1_A05 information flow control policies as a basis for enforcement of flow control decisions are defined.
- NET-45.1_A06 organization-defined cybersecurity / data privacy attributes associated with organization-defined information objects, organization-defined source objects and organization-defined destination objects are used to enforce organization-defined information flow control policies as a basis for flow control decisions.
- NET-45.1_A07 secure information transfer solutions are defined.
- NET-45.1_A08 information flows between security domains on connected systems are identified.
- NET-45.1_A09 solutions are employed to control information flows between security domains on connected systems.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Tag files with classification labels before transferring
Small
- Data classification labels applied to objects in transit
- DLP policy for classified data
Medium
- Object-level security attributes policy
- DLP enforcement based on attributes
Large
- Enterprise DLP with object-level classification enforcement
- Rights management (IRM)
Enterprise
- Enterprise DLP platform (e.g., Microsoft Purview, Symantec DLP)
- IRM/DRM
- Automated classification and enforcement