What this control covers
Documents data backup and recovery policies per SP-01, aligning with customer agreements and RTO/RPO requirements. Specifies encrypted backups, authorized access, and recovery testing to ensure data availability and integrity for cloud customers.
Why it matters
Risk is the language an executive team understands; this control connects technical reality to board-level decisions and budget allocation.
How to implement
AWS
Codify the policy intent as SCPs, AWS Config conformance packs, and Security Hub standards so the cloud enforces what the document says.
Azure
Codify in Azure Policy initiatives (built-in regulatory compliance for CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA) and assign at management-group level.
GCP
Use Cloud KMS with customer-managed encryption keys (CMEK) for BigQuery, GCS, and Compute. Sensitive Data Protection (DLP API) inspects/de-identifies PII at scale.
Google Workspace
Enable client-side encryption for Drive/Docs and turn on Drive Labels + DLP rules to prevent external sharing of regulated data classes.
GitHub
Apply branch protection on default and release branches: require PR review, status checks, signed commits, linear history, and dismiss stale reviews on new commits. Use CODEOWNERS for required reviewers, Dependabot + CodeQL for SAST, and the Dependency graph / SBOM export for vendor disclosures.
On-premises
Maintain a policy library with a documented review cadence (annual minimum); store in your GRC tool with attestation tracking. Map each policy to controls so an audit pull cites the exact policy clause.
Evidence to collect
policy_document— A signed, version-controlled policy stating leadership intent and the named owner.infra_scan— See the iCompaas Evidence library for the canonical source for this evidence type.
Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Data Protection and Recovery - Concept.
Quick checklist
- Risk — Agreements / Protection
- Review — Agreements / Protection
- Security — Agreements / Protection
- Protection — Agreements / Protection
- Data — Agreements / Protection
- Data Backup — Agreements / Protection
Related articles on this site
- Ensure Backup Data in Recovery Services Vaults Is Encrypted Using Customer-Managed Keys (CMK)
- Ensure Backup Data in Backup Vaults Is Encrypted Using Customer-Managed Keys (CMK)
- Ensure storage for critical data are encrypted with Customer Managed Key
- Ensure to have backup access by someone on the team - could be part of "has retention" policy