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QTS-03: Data Shelf-Life Classification for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Prioritization

QTS 7 — High Identify

Mechanisms exist to classify Technology Assets, Applications, Services and Data (TAASD) by confidentiality shelf-life and use that classification as a direct input to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration prioritization, including prioritizing data with a shelf-life exceeding the expected PQC arrival horizon.

Control Question: Does the organization classify Technology Assets, Applications, Services and Data (TAASD) by confidentiality shelf-life and use that classification as a direct input to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration prioritization, including prioritizing data with a shelf-life exceeding the expected PQC arrival horizon?

EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany C5 2026 CRY-01.02AC.1

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

Quantum Security (QTS) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with QTS domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Risk management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel use an informal process to identify, assess, remediate and report on quantum security-related risk. ▪ Data/process owners are expected to self-manage risks associated with their Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), based on the organization's published policies and standards, including the identification, remediation and reporting of risks.

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

Quantum Security (QTS) 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 QTS 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 QTS domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A risk management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain QTS domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of risk management operations (e.g., risk management solution, GRC platform and TPRM tool). ▪ 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 QTS 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). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to classify Technology Assets, Applications, Services and Data (TAASD) by confidentiality shelf-life and use that classification as a direct input to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration prioritization, including prioritizing data with a shelf-life exceeding the expected PQC arrival horizon.

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

  1. QTS-03_A01 a classification scheme exists to determine confidentiality shelf-life.
  2. QTS-03_A02 the shelf-life classification is used as a direct input to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration prioritization, including prioritizing data with a shelf-life exceeding the expected PQC arrival horizon.

Evidence Requirements

E-QTS-14 Post-Quantum Cryptography Agility Plan (PQCAP)

Documented evidence of a Post-Quantum Cryptography Agility Plan (PQCAP), including data shelf-life classification and crypto-agility architecture.

Quantum Security

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Identify records that must stay confidential for many years (e.g., legal, health, financial) and note them for PQC priority

Small

  • Identify data with long-term confidentiality requirements (e.g., legal, financial, health records)
  • Flag for priority PQC protection

Medium

  • Data classification extended to include confidentiality shelf-life dimension
  • Prioritize PQC migration for long-lived sensitive data

Large

  • Formal data shelf-life classification taxonomy
  • Integration with data catalog and PQC migration prioritization
  • Policy-driven PQC protection for long-lived data

Enterprise

  • Automated data shelf-life classification
  • Integration with enterprise data catalog and PQC migration roadmap
  • Continuous monitoring of long-lived data for PQC readiness

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