Control statement
- a.Establish [Organization-defined: system media downgrading process] that includes employing downgrading mechanisms with strength and integrity commensurate with the security category or classification of the information;
- b.Verify that the system media downgrading process is commensurate with the security category and/or classification level of the information to be removed and the access authorizations of the potential recipients of the downgraded information;
- c.Identify [Organization-defined: system media requiring downgrading] ; and
- d.Downgrade the identified system media using the established process.
Discussion
Media downgrading applies to digital and non-digital media subject to release outside of the organization, whether the media is considered removable or not. When applied to system media, the downgrading process removes information from the media, typically by security category or classification level, such that the information cannot be retrieved or reconstructed. Downgrading of media includes redacting information to enable wider release and distribution. Downgrading ensures that empty space on the media is devoid of information.
Organization-defined parameters
These values must be resolved through the organization’s tailoring and governance process. Bracketed parameter references in the control text identify where a decision is required.
From control text to operational evidence
Use Media Downgrading as a testable risk decision. Translate the official statement into accountable people, repeatable processes, configured technology, and evidence that demonstrates the outcome over time. In this family, pay particular attention to media accountability, handling, sanitization, transport, and disposal across physical and digital forms.
Implementation workflow
- Define the control boundary, responsible owner, inherited portions, and systems or processes in scope.
- Resolve each organization-defined parameter before declaring the control implemented.
- Document how the implementation satisfies every clause of the official control statement.
- Collect evidence as a normal byproduct of operation rather than only before an assessment.
- Review exceptions, changes, and monitoring results on a risk-based cadence.
Evidence examples
- media inventories and chain-of-custody records
- sanitization certificates
- transport and storage procedures
- removable-media control logs
Common failure patterns
- cloud snapshots and virtual media excluded from policy
- sanitization method not matched to media type
- untracked removable media
- disposal vendors accepted without verification
Questions practitioners should ask
- What risk decision is this control intended to support in this system?
- Which parts are implemented locally, inherited, shared, or not applicable—and what evidence supports that decision?
- Do the documented narrative, deployed configuration, operating process, and collected evidence agree?
- What event or threshold requires the implementation to be reviewed or changed?
Assessment objectives and methods
Show the assessment objective
- MP-08a.
- MP-08a.[01]a [Organization-defined: system media downgrading process] is established;
- MP-08a.[02]the [Organization-defined: system media downgrading process] includes employing downgrading mechanisms with strength and integrity commensurate with the security category or classification of the information;
- MP-08b.
- MP-08b.[01]there is verification that the system media downgrading process is commensurate with the security category and/or classification level of the information to be removed;
- MP-08b.[02]there is verification that the system media downgrading process is commensurate with the access authorizations of the potential recipients of the downgraded information;
- MP-08c.[Organization-defined: system media requiring downgrading] is identified;
- MP-08d.the identified system media is downgraded using the [Organization-defined: system media downgrading process].
Examine
- System media protection policy
- procedures addressing media downgrading
- system categorization documentation
- list of media requiring downgrading
- records of media downgrading
- audit records
- system security plan
- other relevant documents or records
Interview
- Organizational personnel with system media downgrading responsibilities
- organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
- system/network administrators
Test
- Organizational processes for media downgrading
- mechanisms supporting and/or implementing media downgrading
Control enhancements
Enhancements add specificity, strength, or scope to the base control. Baseline badges show explicit selections in the official SP 800-53B OSCAL profiles.
MP-8(1) — Documentation of Process
Document system media downgrading actions.
Official discussion
Organizations can document the media downgrading process by providing information, such as the downgrading technique employed, the identification number of the downgraded media, and the identity of the individual that authorized and/or performed the downgrading action.
Assessment objectives and methods
system media downgrading actions are documented.
Examine
- System media protection policy
- procedures addressing media downgrading
- system categorization documentation
- list of media requiring downgrading
- records of media downgrading
- audit records
- system security plan
- other relevant documents or records
Interview
- Organizational personnel with system media downgrading responsibilities
- organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
- system/network administrators
Test
- Organizational processes for media downgrading
- mechanisms supporting and/or implementing media downgrading
MP-8(2) — Equipment Testing
Test downgrading equipment and procedures [Organization-defined: organization-defined frequency] to ensure that downgrading actions are being achieved.
Official discussion
None.
Organization-defined parameters (3)
Assessment objectives and methods
- MP-08(02)[01]downgrading equipment is tested [Organization-defined: frequency] to ensure that downgrading actions are being achieved;
- MP-08(02)[02]downgrading procedures are tested [Organization-defined: frequency] to ensure that downgrading actions are being achieved.
Examine
- System media protection policy
- procedures addressing media downgrading
- procedures addressing testing of media downgrading equipment
- results of downgrading equipment and procedures testing
- records of media downgrading
- audit records
- system security plan
- other relevant documents or records
Interview
- Organizational personnel with system media downgrading responsibilities
- organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
Test
- Organizational processes for media downgrading
- mechanisms supporting and/or implementing media downgrading
MP-8(3) — Controlled Unclassified Information
Downgrade system media containing controlled unclassified information prior to public release.
Official discussion
The downgrading of controlled unclassified information uses approved sanitization tools, techniques, and procedures.
Assessment objectives and methods
- MP-08(03)[01]system media containing controlled unclassified information is identified;
- MP-08(03)[02]system media containing controlled unclassified information is downgraded prior to public release.
Examine
- System media protection policy
- access authorization policy
- procedures addressing downgrading of media containing CUI
- applicable federal and organizational standards and policies regarding protection of CUI
- media downgrading records
- system security plan
- other relevant documents or records
Interview
- Organizational personnel with system media downgrading responsibilities
- organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
Test
- Organizational processes for media downgrading
- mechanisms supporting and/or implementing media downgrading
MP-8(4) — Classified Information
Downgrade system media containing classified information prior to release to individuals without required access authorizations.
Official discussion
Downgrading of classified information uses approved sanitization tools, techniques, and procedures to transfer information confirmed to be unclassified from classified systems to unclassified media.
Assessment objectives and methods
- MP-08(04)[01]system media containing classified information is identified;
- MP-08(04)[02]system media containing classified information is downgraded prior to release to individuals without required access authorizations.
Examine
- System media protection policy
- access authorization policy
- procedures addressing downgrading of media containing classified information
- procedures addressing handling of classified information
- NSA standards and policies regarding protection of classified information
- media downgrading records
- system security plan
- other relevant documents or records
Interview
- Organizational personnel with system media downgrading responsibilities
- organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
Test
- Organizational processes for media downgrading
- mechanisms supporting and/or implementing media downgrading
Authoritative sources
Bare Metal Cyber is an independent educational publisher and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NIST. Official control requirements and interpretations remain with NIST and the responsible authorizing organization.