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SEA-24.1: Randomness

SEA 5 — Medium Protect

Automated mechanisms exist to introduce randomness into organizational operations and assets.

Renumbered: Formerly SEA-14.1 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to introduce randomness into organizational operations and assets?

General (9)
Framework Mapping Values
NIST 800-53 R4 SC-30(2)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 SC-30(02)
NIST 800-82 R3 SC-30(02)
NIST 800-160 Vol2 R1 SC-30(02)
NIST 800-161 R1 SC-30(2)
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 SC-30(2)
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 SC-30(2)
NIST 800-172 R3 03.13.02E
NIST 800-172A R3 DS-A.03.13.02E

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

Secure Engineering & Architecture (SEA) 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 SEA 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 SEA domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A cybersecurity engineering / architecture team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain RSK domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of secure engineering management operations (e.g., project management solution). ▪ 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 SEA 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 secure engineering principles on all applicable Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to automatically introduce randomness into organizational operations and assets.

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. SEA-24.1_A01 changes to organizational systems and system components to introduce a degree of unpredictability into operations are defined.
  2. SEA-24.1_A02 the frequency of changes by system and system components is defined.
  3. SEA-24.1_A03 organizational systems and system components necessitating unpredictability are identified.
  4. SEA-24.1_A04 changes to organizational systems and system components are implemented frequently to introduce a degree of unpredictability into operations.
  5. SEA-24.1_A05 technical and procedural means to confuse and mislead adversaries are defined.
  6. SEA-24.1_A06 technical and procedural means are employed to confuse and mislead adversaries.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Note: Typically not required at this size

Small

  • Note: Typically not required at this size

Medium

  • Randomized scheduling of security scans and maintenance windows
  • Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) enabled via Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)

Large

  • ASLR and randomization features enabled by baseline
  • Randomized credential rotation and scan timing
  • Randomized decoy placement

Enterprise

  • Enterprise moving target defense capabilities (randomized addressing, rotating decoys, randomized operational timing)
  • ASLR/KASLR and randomization enforced by baseline

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