TDA-19: Developer Screening
Mechanisms exist to ensure that the developers of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) have the requisite skillset and appropriate access authorizations.
Renumbered: Formerly TDA-13 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, TDA-19 was Error Handling. That control is now TDA-12.1.
Control Question: Does the organization ensure that the developers of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) have the requisite skillset and appropriate access authorizations?
General (14)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-53 R4 | SA-21 |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | SA-21 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) | SA-21 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | SA-21 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | SA-21 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 | SA-21 SA-21(1) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Flow Down | SA-21 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 | SA-21 SA-21(1) |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 | SA-21 SA-21(1) |
| 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 |
US (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | SA-21 |
EMEA (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | DEV-02.02B.3 |
| EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 | 10.2.1 |
APAC (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-2121 |
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
Technology Development & Acquisition (TDA) 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 TDA domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with TDA 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 TDA domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Technology development and acquisition-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Technology development and acquisition management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Secure development practices mostly conform to industry-recognized standards for secure engineering of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) (e.g., OWASP, NIST SP 800-218 and NIST SP 800-160). ▪ An application development team, or similar function, uses a structured process to design, build and maintain secure configurations for test, development, staging and production environments.
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 ensure that the developers of Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) have the requisite skillset and appropriate access authorizations.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Technology Development & Acquisition (TDA) 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
- TDA-19_A01 the system, systems component or system service that the developer has access to is/are defined.
- TDA-19_A02 official duties assigned to the developer are defined.
- TDA-19_A03 additional personnel screening criteria for the developer are defined.
Evidence Requirements
- E-HRS-02 Assigned Roles - Application Developers
-
List of employed or contract personnel assigned to application development roles.
Human Resources
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Verify developer qualifications/references before hiring or contracting
Small
- Background checks and skills verification for developers
- Access agreements
Medium
- Developer screening per HRS-05 including skills assessment and background check
- Third-party developer screening requirements in contracts
Large
- Role-based screening standards for developers with access to sensitive systems
- Skills verification (certifications, assessments)
- Contractor screening flow-down
Enterprise
- Enterprise developer screening and qualification program (background checks, skills validation, continuous vetting for sensitive roles)
- Third-party developer screening attestations