Benefits:

Reduced Risk of Data Breaches: By limiting the use of portable storage devices, organizations significantly reduce the potential for data breaches due to loss, theft, or unauthorized access.

Enhanced Data Integrity: Restricting the use of portable storage devices helps maintain the integrity of data by minimizing the chance of unauthorized modifications or accidental data corruption during transfers.

Improved Compliance: Implementing this control demonstrates an organization's commitment to data security compliance with various regulations, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for defense contractors.

Accountability:

Senior Management: Establish and enforce policies: Senior management is responsible for setting clear policies that define authorized use of portable storage devices, including limitations on external systems. Provide resources: They must allocate resources for implementing and maintaining the control, including training and technology solutions. Oversee compliance: They hold ultimate accountability for ensuring the organization adheres to the control and address any identified gaps.

IT Security Team: Develop and implement procedures: The IT security team is accountable for developing and implementing detailed procedures for enforcing the control. This includes methods for device registration, access control, and security measures like encryption. Monitor and audit: They are responsible for monitoring and auditing device usage, identifying and reporting suspicious activity, and ensuring compliance with established procedures. Provide training and guidance: The team must provide training and guidance to users on the acceptable use of portable storage devices and the risks associated with non-compliance.

System Owners: Implement control on their systems: System owners are accountable for implementing the control on their specific systems. This might involve disabling USB ports or implementing device authentication mechanisms. Report non-compliance: They are responsible for reporting any instances of non-compliance with the control to the IT security team or relevant authorities.

Individual Users: Adhere to policies and procedures: Users are accountable for complying with established policies and procedures regarding portable storage device usage. This includes obtaining authorization before using such devices on external systems and implementing security measures as advised. Report suspicious activity: They are responsible for reporting any suspicious activity involving portable storage devices, such as lost or stolen devices, to the IT security team.

Implementation:

Develop a comprehensive policy: This policy should clearly define authorized uses of portable storage devices, approved device types, and data transfer procedures. It should also outline consequences for non-compliance.

Implement technical controls: Consider configuring systems to disable USB ports or restrict access to specific devices and file types. Endpoint security software can be utilized to scan portable storage devices for malware before data transfer.

Emphasize user awareness and training: Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees on the risks associated with portable storage devices, emphasizing the importance of adhering to policies and procedures for secure data transfer.

Develop alternative data transfer methods: Promote secure cloud storage options or network-based file transfer protocols as alternatives to portable storage devices.