WEB-12: Website Change Detection
Mechanisms exist to detect and respond to Indicators of Compromise (IoC) for unauthorized alterations, additions, deletions or changes on websites that store, process and/or transmit sensitive and/or regulated data.
Renumbered: Formerly WEB-13 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, WEB-12 was Web Browser Security. That control is now WEB-11.
Control Question: Does the organization detect and respond to Indicators of Compromise (IoC) for unauthorized alterations, additions, deletions or changes on websites that store, process and/or transmit sensitive and/or regulated data?
General (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) | 11.6 11.6.1 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A (source) | 11.6.1 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) | 11.6.1 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) | 11.6.1 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) | 11.6.1 |
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
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 detect and respond to Indicators of Compromise (IoC) for unauthorized alterations, additions, deletions or changes on websites that store, process and/or transmit sensitive/regulated data.
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
- WEB-12_A01 Indicators of Compromise (IoC) include unauthorized alterations, additions, deletions or changes on websites that store, process and/or transmit sensitive / regulated data.
- WEB-12_A02 a capability exists to monitor for web-based IoC triggers.
Evidence Requirements
- E-WEB-03 Website Change Detection & Unauthorized Code Monitoring
-
Documented evidence of website change detection and monitoring for unauthorized code on web pages.
Website Security
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Periodically verify website content has not been modified unexpectedly
Small
- Website integrity monitoring policy
- Periodic manual checks for defacement
Medium
- Formal website change detection program
- Automated monitoring for unauthorized changes
Large
- Enterprise website change detection tool (e.g., Sitelock, RiskIQ)
- Automated alerting for changes
Enterprise
- Enterprise web integrity monitoring platform (e.g., Reflectiz, RiskIQ, c/side)
- Real-time change detection and alerting