# CIS 3.4 — Enforce Data Retention

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_gen_cis_34_865da0fdc1-cis-34-enforce-data-retention
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [AWS Checks New Version](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/62000112673) › [Protect](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/f_gen_62000112673_protect)
- Last updated: 2026-05-30
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

CIS · Control 3.4 · Priority: critical · Component: Protect

### What this control covers

Retain data according to the enterprise's data management process. Data retention must include both minimum and maximum timelines.

### 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.

#### 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.

Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Enforce Data Retention.

### Quick checklist

-   Enforce — Data Management Process / Data Retention
-   Protect — Data Management Process / Data Retention

### Related articles on this site

-   [Ensure IAM password policy requires minimum length of 14 or greater](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000080817-ensure-iam-password-policy-requires-minimum-length-of-14-or-greater)
-   [Ensure S3 buckets have default encryption (SSE) enabled or use a bucket policy to enforce it](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000086777-ensure-s3-buckets-have-default-encryption-sse-enabled-or-use-a-bucket-policy-to-enforce-it)
-   [Ensure S3 buckets have default encryption (SSE) enabled or use a bucket policy to enforce it](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000129497-ensure-s3-buckets-have-default-encryption-sse-enabled-or-use-a-bucket-policy-to-enforce-it)
-   [Data Retention & Destruction](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000225143-data-retention-destruction)

## Related compliance guidance

- [SOC 2 compliance: a practical implementation guide for cloud-native SaaS teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/soc-2-trust-services-criteria): Configuration checks like this one are the technical half of a SOC 2 / ISO 27001 programme — the guide shows where they fit, what else an auditor expects, and how to evidence them.
- [ISO/IEC 27001:2022 compliance: a practical implementation guide](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/iso-27001-2022): ISO 27001 Annex A.8 (technological controls) is where cloud hardening evidence lands; the guide shows how to run the ISMS around it.