WEB-06: Client-Facing Web Services
Mechanisms exist to deploy reasonably-expected security, compliance and resilience controls to protect the confidentiality and availability of client data that is stored, transmitted or processed by the Internet-based service.
Renumbered: Formerly WEB-04 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, WEB-06 was Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). That control is now WEB-07.
Control Question: Does the organization deploy reasonably-expected security, compliance and resilience controls to protect the confidentiality and availability of client data that is stored, transmitted or processed by the Internet-based service?
General (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-171 R2 (source) | 3.1.22 |
| NIST 800-171A (source) | 3.1.22[a] 3.1.22[b] 3.1.22[c] 3.1.22[d] 3.1.22[e] |
US (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 1 | AC.L1-B.1.IV |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 | ACL2.-3.1.22 |
| USA Federal FAR 52.204-21 | 52.204-21(b)(1)(iv) |
EMEA (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | PSS-06.01B |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 | 2-12-1-1 |
APAC (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC India RBI Digital Payments 2021 | 14.0 54.0 |
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | 12.5(c) 12.6 A3-1(g) A4-2 A4-2(a) A4-2(d) A7-D2(e) A7-D2(e)(i) A7-D2(e)(ii) |
| APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 | 14.1.1 14.1.2 14.1.3 14.1.4 14.2.1 14.2.3 14.2.4 14.2.11 |
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
Web Security (WEB) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with WEB domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Web 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
Web Security (WEB) 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 WEB domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with WEB 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 WEB domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Web security-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Web security management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Web Security (WEB) 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 WEB 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 WEB domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A web management team, or simiE210:E1635main capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of web management operations (e.g., secure web gateway and Content Management System (CMS) 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 WEB 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 deploy reasonably-expected security, compliance and resilience controls to protect the confidentiality and availability of client data that is stored, transmitted or processed by the Internet-based service.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Web Security (WEB) 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
- WEB-06_A01 a capability exists to protect the confidentiality and availability of client data that is stored, transmitted or processed by the Internet-based service.
Evidence Requirements
- E-WEB-02 Client-Facing Web Services Protections
-
Documented evidence of protections for client-facing web services, including Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and secure web traffic.
Website Security
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Only expose necessary web service APIs/endpoints to clients
Small
- Client-facing web service security policy
- Minimize exposed endpoints
Medium
- Formal client-facing web service security standards
- API security controls
Large
- Enterprise client-facing web security program
- API gateway
- WAF
- Rate limiting
Enterprise
- Enterprise web services security platform (e.g., Apigee, AWS API Gateway + WAF)
- Full API security lifecycle