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OPS-09: 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.

Renumbered: Formerly OPS-07 in SCF 2025.4.

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

US (3)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.PEP.EN.SITDE
USA Federal DoW BaTB IT 2026 3
USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 II.C.13.e
EMEA (2)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 16.5
EMEA LUX CCSF 20/750 2020 3.6.2-74
APAC (3)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC India SEBI CSCRF 2024 ID.AM.S3
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 10.16
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 6.5.1 6.5.2

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

Security Operations (OPS) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with OPS domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Cybersecurity operations-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ Cybersecurity operations are primarily viewed as additional duties for IT staff. ▪ There is no Security Operations Center (SOC) with 24x7x365 operations coverage.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Security Operations (OPS) 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 OPS domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with OPS 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 OPS domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Security operations management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Security operations management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Security Operations (OPS) 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 OPS 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 OPS domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A Security Operations Center (SOC), or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain OPS domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of security operations management (e.g., SIEM solution and EDR/XDR tools). ▪ 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 OPS 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). ▪ Cybersecurity personnel create “run books,” or SOPs, to capture operational knowledge in documentation form for critical business functions and/or for sensitive/regulated obligations. ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to detect the presence of unauthorized Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) in use.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Security Operations (OPS) 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. OPS-09_A01 organizational policy prohibits unauthorized software, systems and services in use by the organization (e.g., shadow IT).
  2. OPS-09_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-09_A03 instances of unauthorized software, systems and services in use by the organization (e.g., shadow IT) are investigated as cybersecurity incidents.
  4. OPS-09_A04 personnel responsible for unauthorized software, systems and services are held accountable per the organization's disciplinary processes.

Evidence Requirements

E-CLD-04 Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Configuration

Documented evidence of Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), or similar, configuration governing sanctioned and unsanctioned cloud service use.

Asset Management

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)

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