Data Rights Management (DRM) Enforcement Point Logging and Analysis (Zero Trust Activity 4.4.2)

We tackled preventing data exfiltration with Data Loss Prevention (DLP) in Activity 4.4.1. Now, we confront an even more granular challenge: controlling how sensitive data is used after it has been legitimately accessed. This brings us to Zero Trust Activity 4.4.2: DRM Enforcement Point Logging and Analysis. 

First, let’s clarify the concept of Data Rights Management (DRM). Unlike traditional access control, which focuses on who can access a file or application, or Data Loss Prevention (DLP), which aims to prevent data from leaving the organization, DRM controls what actions a user can perform on the data itself, even once it’s on their device or in a legitimate application. Think of it as persistent protection that travels with the data. DRM policies can dictate whether an authorized user can copy, paste, print, screenshot, forward, edit, or save a document, based on its classification and the user’s context. This provides granular control over the “rights” associated with data.

This activity mandates that DoD Components identify business rules for managing the accepted use of the assets managing Data Rights Management (DRM) enforcement points, such as specific services and user endpoints. These “business rules” define precisely what actions are permissible for specific types of data. Using the established DoD Enterprise cybersecurity incident response standard, such as what is defined in DoD Instruction (DoDI) 8530.03, “Cyber Incident Response”, Components must then ensure the appropriate level of detail of data is captured at these enforcement points. Furthermore, protection, detection, and response use cases are developed based on these business rules and captured data to better outline solution coverage and response procedures. 

This activity is vital because it extends Zero Trust principles directly to data usage. Even if a user and device are authorized to access data, robust DRM ensures they don’t perform unauthorized actions like copying sensitive files for later misuse, or printing classified documents that should remain digital.

The outcomes for Activity 4.4.2 highlight the establishment of this data-centric visibility and governance:

1. Business rules for managing accepted use of data assets are established and coordinated with Cyber Operations to support standardized logging for managing DRM.
2. Standardized logging schema is enforced at the Component-level.
3. Components identify enforcement points.

The ultimate end state for this activity: Data Rights Management rules restrict the allowed use of information from the access control boundary. This means that policies are in place and enforced to control actions on data, not just access to it.

Solutions for Achieving DRM Enforcement Point Logging and Analysis  (Zero Trust Activity 4.4.2)

1. Defining Business Rules for Data Usage (DRM Policies):

2. Identifying and Implementing DRM Enforcement Points:

• Role: Determine the specific services, applications, and endpoints where sensitive data is accessed and where data usage needs to be controlled by DRM. These are your “DRM enforcement points.” Examples:
  • User Endpoints (Workstations, Laptops, Mobile Devices): Prevent copying content from a sensitive document, block printing, disable screenshots, or restrict saving the document to an unauthorized location.
  • Specific Applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, CAD Software, CRM Systems): A policy might allow a user to view a spreadsheet in Excel but prevent them from copying cells, saving it as a different file type, or even editing certain sections.
  • File Servers and Document Repositories (On-premises or Cloud-based): When a DRM-protected file is stored on a server or in a repository (like SharePoint, network drives), the DRM system manages the access rights associated with that file directly. When a user tries to access the file, the repository (or an integrated DRM component) enforces the policy, ensuring the user only performs allowed actions.
  • Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, Confluence): A shared document might be view-only for most users, preventing downloads or forwarding, even within the trusted platform.
  • Cloud Storage Services: For files stored in cloud drives (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive, Box, SharePoint Online), DRM can persist protection. Even if the file is legitimately downloaded, the DRM wrapper ensures the usage rights (e.g., no printing, no editing, expiration date) travel with the file and are enforced by local DRM agents or integrated cloud services.
  • Email Clients (when handling protected attachments): DLP prevents sensitive emails from leaving, DRM controls what happens to sensitive attachments that are received or opened. A DRM policy might allow a recipient to view an attachment but prevent them from forwarding it outside the organization, printing it, or copying content from it, even if they originally had legitimate access to the email.
• Solutions: Implement DRM technologies that can apply persistent protection to data itself or enforce policies on data usage via agents or gateways. These technologies protect data “in use” regardless of where it is.
  

3. Ensuring Detailed and Standardized Logging:

• Role: Configure DRM enforcement points to capture granular logs of all data access and usage events (who accessed what data, when, from where, and what action was attempted or performed). This level of detail must align with the DoD’s requirements for cyber incident reports per DoDI 8530.03.
• Examples of “Level of Detail of Data” Captured (aligned with DoDI 8530.03, Section 3.1.a):
  • Affected DoD Component(s) 
  • Category level of the incident (e.g., policy violation, unauthorized data usage attempt) 
  • Current level of impact on component functions or services 
  • Type of information lost, compromised, or corrupted (e.g., PII, CUI, classified, proprietary information) 
  • Number of systems and system components, records, and users impacted 
  • Network location of the observed activity 
  • Attack vector(s) that led to the incident (e.g., improper usage, web, email) 
  • When the activity was first detected 
  • Mitigation activities undertaken in response to the incident 

• Standardized Schema: Enforce a standardized logging schema across all DRM tools and Components, coordinating with Cyber Operations. This ensures consistency for centralized analysis and reporting, aligning with the enterprise cybersecurity incident response standard outlined in DoDI 8530.03.

4. Integrating Logs with SIEM for Analysis:

• Role: Feed the detailed, standardized logs from DRM enforcement points into your Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system.
  • Analysis: Utilize the SIEM for aggregation, correlation, and analysis of DRM events alongside other security data (identity, device, network, application logs) to identify suspicious or unauthorized data usage patterns.

5. Developing Protection, Detection, and Response Use Cases:

• Role: Based on your defined DRM business rules and the types of events captured in the logs, develop specific security use cases within your SIEM and other security tools. These align with the DoD’s overall Cyber Incident Response (CIR) process defined in DoDI 8530.03.
  • Protection Use Cases: How DRM actively prevents unauthorized data usage (e.g., blocking a “copy” action for sensitive data).
  • Detection Use Cases: Define alerts for policy violations, unusual data usage patterns, or attempts to circumvent DRM controls. These contribute to the “Detection and Analysis” phase of CIR.
  • Response Use Cases: Establish automated or manual incident response playbooks for DRM alerts, outlining steps for investigation, containment (e.g., device quarantine), and remediation (e.g., revoking user access, escalating to management). These support the “Containment, Eradication, and Recovery” phase of CIR. Integrate with SOAR where possible.

Key Items to Consider:

• Accurate Data Classification: Effective DRM relies fundamentally on accurate data classification and tagging. If data isn’t correctly classified, DRM policies cannot be consistently applied.
• Comprehensive Coverage of Data Lifecycle: Identify all points where sensitive data is accessed, used, and stored to ensure DRM controls are applied persistently.
• Balancing Security and Productivity: Poorly tuned DRM can generate excessive false positives or block legitimate business operations, impacting user productivity. Careful policy creation and tuning are essential.
• Standardized Logging Schema: Enforcing a consistent logging format across diverse DRM products from different vendors is a significant technical challenge but vital for centralized analysis and adherence to DoD CIR reporting requirements.
• Integration with Incident Response: DRM alerts must be seamlessly integrated into your enterprise incident response workflows for timely action, consistent with the DoD CIR process described in DoDI 8530.03.
• User Training and Awareness: Educate users on data handling policies and the purpose of DRM to foster a culture of data security and reduce accidental data misuse.

For the Technical Buyer:

Activity 4.4.2 extends Zero Trust controls directly to how data is used, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected even after access is granted. By defining granular business rules for accepted data usage, implementing DRM technologies at enforcement points, and establishing robust, standardized logging (aligned with DoD CIR standards), you gain the visibility needed to detect and respond to unauthorized data alterations and usage. For technical buyers, success here means selecting appropriate DRM tools, ensuring their logs are detailed and standardized, integrating these logs into your SIEM for analysis and use case development, and leveraging SOAR for automated response. This activity is crucial for enhancing visibility into data handling, restricting the allowed use of information, and strengthening your overall data security posture in alignment with Zero Trust principles.

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Pillar: Data

Capability: 4.4 Data Monitoring and Sensing

Activity: 4.4.2 DRM Enforcement Point Logging and Analysis

Phase: Target Level

Predecessor(s): None

Successor(s): 4.4.6 Comprehensive Data Activity Monitoring