Overview – Trust Services Criteria
COSO’s CC6.8 for the component Logical And Physical Access Controls requires the following “The entity implements controls to prevent or detect and act upon the introduction of unauthorized or malicious software to meet the entity’s objectives.”
Points of Focus
Below are the points of focus and any related mappings to other frameworks and standards.
| Description | Mapping to other frameworks and standards |
| Restricts Application and Software Installation — The ability to install applications and software is restricted to authorized individuals. | |
| Detects Unauthorized Changes to Software and Configuration Parameters — Processes are in place to detect changes to software and configuration parameters that may be indicative of unauthorized or malicious software. | |
| Uses a Defined Change Control Process — A management-defined change control process is used for the implementation of software. | |
| Uses Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software — Antivirus and anti-malware software is implemented and maintained to provide for the interception or detection and remediation of malware. | NIST CSF – DE.CM-4 – Malicious code is detected |
| Scans Information Assets from Outside the Entity for Malware and Other Unauthorized Software — Procedures are in place to scan information assets that have been transferred or returned to the entity’s custody for malware and other unauthorized software and to remove any items detected prior to its implementation on the network. | NIST CSF – DE.CM-5 – Unauthorized mobile code is detected |
What is the COSO Framework?
COSO means the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. It is a joint initiative of five private sector organizations and provides thought leadership through the development of frameworks and guidance on enterprise risk management, internal control, and fraud deterrence.
Source: https://us.aicpa.org/interestareas/businessindustryandgovernment/resources/riskmanagmentandinternalcontrol/coso-integrated-framework-project
The COSO Internal Control Framework was developed to help “organizations design and implement internal control in light of the many changes in business and operating environments.” The Treadway Commission designed the framework with SOX in mind, but the framework goes beyond financial reporting controls since it applies to operations, compliance, and reporting (both internal and external). For most public companies, the process of using the COSO Internal Control Framework is an exercise in mapping their SOX controls to the COSO Internal Control Framework and then evaluating the control environment in total against the framework.
The COSO Internal Control Framework is a comprehensive model comprising of the following five (5) integrated Components supported by seventeen (17) Principles. Below are the five (5) Components:
- Control Environment
- Risk Assessment
- Control Activities
- Information and Communication
- Monitoring
Source: https://www.auditboard.com/blog/difference-between-coso-and-sox/
Internal Control Categories
The COSO framework divides internal control objectives into three (3) categories: Operations, Reporting and Compliance.
- Operations objectives, such as performance goals and securing the organization’s assets against fraud, focus on the effectiveness and efficiency of your business operations.
- Reporting objectives, including both internal and external financial reporting as well as non-financial reporting, relate to transparency, timeliness and reliability of the organization’s reporting habits.
- Compliance objectives are internal control goals based around adhering to laws and regulations that the organization must comply with.
Source: https://www.i-sight.com/resources/coso-framework-what-it-is-and-how-to-use-it/