WEB-13: Publicly Accessible Content Reviews
Mechanisms exist to routinely review the content on publicly accessible systems for sensitive and/or regulated data and remove such information, if discovered.
Renumbered: Formerly WEB-14 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, WEB-13 was Website Change Detection. That control is now WEB-12.
Control Question: Does the organization routinely review the content on publicly accessible systems for sensitive and/or regulated data and remove such information, if discovered?
General (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.01.22.b |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.01.22.b[02] |
EMEA (4)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 2024 | 2321 |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L1 2024 | 2321 |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L2 2024 | 2321 |
| EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L3 2024 | 2321 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.01.22.B |
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
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 routinely review the content on publicly accessible systems for sensitive/regulated data and remove such information, if discovered.
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-13_A01 the scope of publicly accessible systems is defined.
- WEB-13_A02 publicly accessible systems containing sensitive / regulated data are identified.
- WEB-13_A03 a capability exists to routinely review the content on publicly accessible systems for sensitive / regulated data and remove such information, if discovered.
- WEB-13_A04 a capability exists to expeditiously remove sensitive / regulated data from publicly accessible systems, if discovered.
Evidence Requirements
- E-DCH-12 Publicly Accessible Information Reviews
-
Documented evidence of reviews for publicly accessible sensitive / regulated data.
Data Protection
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Review public website content for accuracy and appropriateness regularly
Small
- Publicly accessible content review policy and schedule
Medium
- Formal content review program for public-facing web content
Large
- Enterprise content governance program
- Regular content audits
- Content accuracy review
Enterprise
- Enterprise web content governance platform
- Automated content monitoring
- Regular content audits by stakeholders