DE.CM-09 DE · Detect · DE.CM Continuous Monitoring

DE.CM-09 — Computing hardware, software and services monitoring

Computing hardware and software, runtime environments, and their data are monitored to find potentially adverse events.

Also written as DE-CM-09, DE.CM-9, CSF 2.0 DE.CM-09, NIST CSF DE.CM.

What NIST CSF DE.CM-09 means

DE.CM-09 is one of 11 subcategories in the Detect (DE) function, under the Continuous Monitoring category (DE.CM). The Core states: “Computing hardware and software, runtime environments, and their data are monitored to find potentially adverse events.” Detect outcomes are assessed on coverage and timeliness together — a monitoring capability that only watches part of the environment, or that nobody reviews, does not achieve the outcome regardless of the tooling in place.

Evidence that supports DE.CM-09

To demonstrate this outcome in an assessment or audit, gather artefacts such as:

  • Endpoint detection and response (EDR) coverage reports
  • Cloud and SaaS security monitoring (CSPM) output
  • Application and host log monitoring rules

ISO 27001 mapping

DE.CM-09 corresponds to the following ISO 27001:2022 Annex A control(s): A.8.1, A.8.7, A.8.12, A.8.16. Evidence collected for one framework typically supports the other.

Map DE.CM-09 to ISO 27001 & SOC 2 →
Crosswalk this subcategory in the Control Mapper & Gap Assessment.
Document the risk →
Record treatment for gaps against DE.CM-09 in the Risk Register.

Other Continuous Monitoring subcategories

DE.CM-01 Network monitoring DE.CM-02 Physical environment monitoring DE.CM-03 Personnel activity and technology usage monitoring DE.CM-06 External provider activity monitoring

All 11 Detect subcategories →

Frequently asked questions

Is NIST CSF DE.CM-09 mandatory?

No. CSF 2.0 is a voluntary framework of outcomes rather than a set of requirements, and there is no certification against it. DE.CM-09 becomes binding only when something else makes it so — a contract, a regulator that references CSF, or your own Target Profile. That is the practical difference between CSF and an auditable standard like ISO 27001 or SOC 2.

How is DE.CM-09 assessed?

Through profiles rather than pass/fail testing. You record how fully the outcome is achieved today in a Current Profile, state where it needs to be in a Target Profile, and the gap between them becomes your action plan. Implementation Tiers (Partial, Risk Informed, Repeatable, Adaptive) describe how rigorous your governance around the outcome is, not whether you have met it.

Who owns DE.CM-09?

The Detect function is normally owned by the security or IT function, but DE.CM-09 still needs a specific named owner. Assessors treat an outcome with no owner as not achieved regardless of the tooling behind it, so record ownership in your profile alongside the assessment.

Does NIST CSF DE.CM-09 map to ISO 27001?

Yes — DE.CM-09 corresponds to ISO 27001:2022 Annex A control(s) A.8.1, A.8.7, A.8.12, A.8.16. Evidence collected for one framework typically supports the other, so a single control library can serve both.