Skip to main content

OPS-07: Shadow Information Technology Detection

OPS 8 — High Govern

Mechanisms exist to detect the presence of unauthorized Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) in use.

Control Question: Does the organization detect the presence of unauthorized Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) in use?

General (3)
Framework Mapping Values
SCF CORE Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures (MA&D) OPS-07
SCF CORE ESP Level 2 Critical Infrastructure OPS-07
SCF CORE ESP Level 3 Advanced Threats OPS-07
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
US DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.PEP.EN.SITDE
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC India SEBI CSCRF ID.AM.S3

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

There is no evidence of a capability to detect the presence of unauthorized Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) in use by the organization.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

Security Operations (OPS) efforts are ad hoc and inconsistent. CMM Level 1 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • Cybersecurity operations are decentralized.
  • The responsibility for developing and operating cybersecurity and data privacy procedures are up to the business process owner(s) to determine, including the definition and enforcement of roles and responsibilities.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Security operations (OPS) efforts are requirements-driven and governed at a local/regional level, but are not consistent across the organization. CMM Level 2 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • Security operations management is decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
  • IT/cybersecurity personnel identify cybersecurity and data protection controls to address applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements for security operations.
  • Administrative processes focus on protecting High Value Assets (HVAs), including environments where sensitive/regulated data is stored, transmitted and processed.
  • Critical business functions are documented in “run books” or Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs) to capture operational knowledge in documentation form.
Level 3 — Well Defined

Security Operations (OPS) 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 Security Operations Center (SOC), or similar function, manages cybersecurity operations that covers preparation, detection and analysis, containment, eradication and recovery.
  • Procedures are standardized across the enterprise to ensure uniformity and consistent execution. These Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) identify and document day-to-day procedures to enable the proper execution of assigned tasks.
  • Line of Business (LOB) stakeholders are identified and tasked with documenting business-critical functions in “run books,” or SOPs, to capture the knowledge in documentation form from both a business and technology perspective.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Security Operations (OPS) efforts are metrics driven and provide sufficient management insight (based on a quantitative understanding of process capabilities) to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and identify areas for improvement. In addition to CMM Level 3 criteria, CMM Level 4 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • 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.
  • Both business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes.
  • Finance reports on IT-related expenditures to identify any "shadow IT" operations.
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 detect the presence of unauthorized Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) in use by the organization.

Assessment Objectives

  1. OPS-07_A01 organizational policy prohibits unauthorized software, systems and services in use by the organization (e.g., shadow IT).
  2. OPS-07_A02 no less than annually, financial expenditures are reviewed for instances of unauthorized software, systems and services in use by the organization (e.g., shadow IT).
  3. OPS-07_A03 instances of unauthorized software, systems and services in use by the organization (e.g., shadow IT) are investigated as cybersecurity incidents.
  4. OPS-07_A04 personnel responsible for unauthorized software, systems and services are held accountable per the organization's disciplinary processes.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Product / project management

Small

  • Product / project management

Medium

  • Product / project management

Large

  • Product / project management
  • Program Management Office (PMO)

Enterprise

  • Product / project management
  • Program Management Office (PMO)

The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is maintained by SCF Council. Use of SCF content is subject to the SCF Terms & Conditions.

Manage this control in SCF Connect

Track implementation status, collect evidence, and map controls to your compliance frameworks automatically.