THR-15: Insider Threat Program
Mechanisms exist to implement an insider threat program that includes a cross-discipline insider threat incident handling team.
Renumbered: Formerly IRO-02.2 and THR-04 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization implement an insider threat program that includes a cross-discipline insider threat incident handling team?
General (16)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) | CC3.3 CC3.3-POF1 CC3.3-POF2 CC3.3-POF3 CC3.3-POF4 CC3.3-POF5 |
| COSO 2013 | 8.0 |
| GovRAMP | IR-04(06) |
| GovRAMP High | IR-04(06) |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | IR-4(6) PM-12 |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | IR-04(06) IR-04(07) PM-12 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | IR-04(06) IR-04(07) PM-12 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay | PM-12 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | PM-12 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | PM-12 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 | IR-4(6) IR-4(7) PM-12 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 1 | IR-4(6) IR-4(7) PM-12 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 | IR-4(6) IR-4(7) PM-12 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 | IR-4(6) IR-4(7) PM-12 |
| NIST CSF 2.0 (source) | ID.RA-03 |
| SPARTA 4.0 | CM0052 |
US (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | PM-12 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | IR-04(06) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | 2.C.2-17 IR-4(CE-6) PM-12 |
| USA Federal NISPOM 2020 | §117.7 (b)(4) §117.7 (b)(4)(iii) §117.7 (d) §117.18(b)(4) §117.18(b)(4)(i) §117.18(b)(4)(ii) §117.18(b)(4)(iii) §117.18(b)(4)(iv) |
| USA Federal FINRA 2007 | 248.201(d)(1) 248.201(d)(2) 248.201(d)(2)(i) 248.201(d)(2)(ii) 248.201(d)(2)(iii) 248.201(d)(2)(iv) |
EMEA (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | OIS-08.02AC |
APAC (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1625 ISM-1626 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada OSFI B-13 2022 | 3.0 |
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
Threat Management (THR) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with THR domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Threat management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Incident Response (IRO) 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 IRO domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with DCH 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 IRO domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Incident response-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Incident response management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel operate an incident response capability using a documented and tested Incident Response Plan (IRP) to facilitate incident management operations that cover preparation, detection and analysis, containment, eradication and recovery.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Threat Management (THR) 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 THR 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 THR domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A threat management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain THR domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of threat management operations (e.g., threat intelligence solution and bug bounty 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 THR 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 implement an insider threat program that includes a cross-discipline insider threat incident handling team.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Incident Response (IRO) 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
- THR-15_A01 an incident handling capability is implemented for incidents involving insider threats.
- THR-15_A02 an insider threat program that includes a cross-discipline insider threat incident handling team is implemented.
- THR-15_A03 threat indicator information and effective mitigations obtained from external organizations are used to guide and inform intrusion detection and threat hunting.
Evidence Requirements
- E-THR-09 Insider Threat Program
-
Documented evidence of an insider threat program, including the cross-discipline incident handling team and insider threat monitoring.
Threat Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Subscribe to free threat intelligence feeds (e.g., CISA alerts)
Small
- CISA alerts subscription
- Basic threat awareness program
Medium
- Insider threat program
Large
- Insider threat program
Enterprise
- Insider threat program