What this control covers
Develop, document, and disseminate a media protection policy addressing purpose, scope, roles, responsibilities, and compliance. Implement procedures for media protection controls, regularly review, and update the policy to align with laws, regulations, and events. This control supports the Media Protection Policy capability within the Media Protection family.
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
VM Manager (OS patch + config management) and Artifact Registry vulnerability scanning integrate with Cloud Build to block vulnerable images.
GitHub
Dependabot security updates + version updates, plus CodeQL for SAST and a renovate bot for major-version drift management.
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: Policy And Procedures.
Quick checklist
- Policy — Procedures / Management
- Review — Procedures / Management
- Protection — Procedures / Management
- Control — Procedures / Management
- Compliance — Procedures / Management
- Document — Procedures / Management
Related articles on this site
- Roles and responsibilities
- NIST 800-171 3.8.6 Implement cryptographic mechanisms to protect the confidentiality of CUI stored on digital media during transport unless otherwise protected by alternative physical safeguards.
- NIST 800-171 3.12.2 Develop and implement plans of action designed to correct deficiencies and reduce or eliminate vulnerabilities in organizational systems.
- NIST 800-171 3.12.4 Develop, document, and periodically update system security plans that describe system boundaries, system environments of operation, how security requirements are implemented, and the relationships with or connections to