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QTS-09.10: Cryptographic Application Programming Interface (API) Abstraction

QTS 7 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to use a universal interface that bridges established cryptographic Application Programming Interface (API) frameworks by abstracting complex cryptographic operations to support cryptographic agility.

Control Question: Does the organization use a universal interface that bridges established cryptographic Application Programming Interface (API) frameworks by abstracting complex cryptographic operations to support cryptographic agility?

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

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 use a universal interface that bridges established cryptographic Application Programming Interface (API) frameworks by abstracting complex cryptographic operations to support cryptographic agility.

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-09.10_A01 universal interface is used to bridge established cryptographic Application Programming Interface (API) frameworks by abstracting complex cryptographic operations to support cryptographic agility.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Use standard libraries/platform cryptography (e.g., OpenSSL, .NET, Java) rather than custom implementations

Small

  • Use established cryptographic libraries with abstraction (e.g., OpenSSL, BouncyCastle)
  • Avoid direct algorithm calls; use library-level interfaces

Medium

  • Cryptographic abstraction requirements in development standards
  • Use of crypto-agility compatible libraries
  • Abstract cryptographic operations from application code

Large

  • Enterprise cryptographic API abstraction standard
  • Use of PKCS#11 or equivalent for hardware abstraction
  • Crypto abstraction layer in enterprise development frameworks

Enterprise

  • Enterprise cryptographic API abstraction framework
  • Universal cryptographic interface standard across all applications
  • PKCS#11 and provider-based abstraction architecture
  • Automated compliance checking for cryptographic abstraction

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