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TDA-03.1: Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM)

TDA 9 — Critical Identify

Mechanisms exist to utilize a Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) to govern a secure development lifecycle for the development of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).

Renumbered: Formerly TDA-06.3 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, TDA-03.1 was Supplier Diversity. That control is now TPM-06.

Control Question: Does the organization utilize a Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) to govern a secure development lifecycle for the development of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS)?

General (15)
Framework Mapping Values
CIS CSC 8.1 16.1 16.5 16.11
CIS CSC 8.1 IG2 16.1 16.5 16.11
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 16.1 16.5 16.11
CSA CCM 4.1.0 AIS-06
CSA IoT SCF 2 SDV-03
MPA Content Security Program 5.3.1 TS-1.13
NIST 800-218 PW.1 PW.2 PW.4.2
NIST CSF 2.0 (source) PR.PS-06
OWASP Top 10 2025 A04:2025 A08:2025
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 6.2.2
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) 6.2.2
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) 6.2.2
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 6.2.2
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 6.2.2
SPARTA 4.0 CM0017 CM0043
US (4)
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany C5 2026 DEV-01.01B.4
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-2025 ISM-2034 ISM-2102

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

Technology Development & Acquisition (TDA) 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 TDA 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 TDA domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A software development team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain TDA domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of technology development and acquisition management (e.g., project management software, software escrow solution and software testing 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 TDA 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 utilize a Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) to govern a secure development lifecycle for the development of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).

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. TDA-03.1_A01 a Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) governs a secure development lifecycle for the development of systems, applications and services.

Evidence Requirements

E-TDA-11 Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM)

Documented evidence of a Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM).

Technology Design & Acquisition

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Security requirements checklist for new technology

Small

  • Security review checklist for technology acquisitions

Medium

  • Defined Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM)

Large

  • Defined Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM)

Enterprise

  • Defined Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM)

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