Active

Exception Approval

The organization shall approve exception requests, ensuring exceptions are authorized by appropriate authorities based on risk assessment results and defined approval criteria. Approval shall include review of exception requests, evaluation of risk assessments, consideration of compensating controls, and formal approval of exceptions.

Requirement ID
EXC-002-R003
Parent Control
Domain Code

Requirement Details & Guidance

EXC-002-R003 · EXC-002
Why This Requirement Exists

To ensure deviations are authorized only by personnel with appropriate authority and after the relevant business, security, compliance, and risk factors have been evaluated.

Implementation Guidance

Implement approval workflows based on risk level, affected control, business impact, and duration; enforce segregation of duties; require documented approval decisions and conditions; prevent activation before approval is complete.

Practical Application & Audit Readiness

EXC-002-R003 · Field Guidance

Business Examples

    Common Audit Findings

      Common Mistakes

        Best Practices & Ownership

        EXC-002 · Recommended Approach

        Recommended Practices

          Typical Owner

          Cross-Mapped Regulatory Frameworks

          Harmonized Control Mappings
          FRAMEWORK CODE FRAMEWORK NAME & DETAILS FAMILY / CATEGORY VERSION ACTION
          ISO27001 ISO/IEC 27001 ISO/IEC 27001 specifies auditable requirements for... Clause: 6.1.3 – Information security risk treatment
          ISO
          Standard
          v2022 View →
          RBI-CSF RBI Cyber Security Framework / Master Directions RBI cyber-security requirements and directions set... Clause: 2) Preventing execution of unauthorised software – 2.4 Defined exception framework, approval and periodic review; Circular §5 – Identification/assessment of inherent cyber risks and controls
          India
          Regulation
          vLatest View →
          PCI-DSS PCI DSS PCI DSS is an industry security standard maintaine... Clause: 12.3.2 – A targeted risk analysis is performed for each
          PCI
          Standard
          v4 View →
          COBIT2019 COBIT COBIT is an enterprise governance and management f... Clause: 4.5 – Monitor, Evaluate and Assess (MEA) > MEA02 – Managed System of Internal Control > MEA02.04 – Identify and report control deficiencies.
          COBIT
          Governance Framework
          v2019 View →
          NIST-CSF NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides high-lev... Clause: ID.RA – Risk Assessment | ID.RA-07 – Changes and exceptions are managed, assessed for risk impact, recorded, and tracked
          NIST
          Framework
          v2 View →
          NIST80053 NIST SP 800-53 NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 presents control families, i... Clause: 3.16 – RISK ASSESSMENT, 3.4 – ASSESSMENT, AUTHORIZATION, AND MONITORING; RA-7 – RISK RESPONSE, CA-6 – AUTHORIZATION
          NIST
          Control Catalog
          vRev. 5 View →
          GDPR General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The General Data Protection Regulation is a bindin... Clause: Article 24(1) – Responsibility of the controller; Article 32(1) – Security of processing
          EU
          Regulation
          vCurrent View →
          SOC2 SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria SOC 2 is an independent examination and reporting... Clause: CC3.2 – Risk Assessment – COSO Principle 7: The entity identifies risks to the achievement of its objectives across the entity and analyzes risks as a basis for determining how the risks should be managed. CC5.3 – Control Activities – COSO Principle 12: The entity deploys control activities through policies that establish what is expected and in procedures that put policies into action.
          AICPA
          Audit Framework
          vLatest View →

          Parent Domain Context

          Governance Domain Baseline
          Domain Name:
          Exception Management (EXC)
          Purpose:
          To manage deviations from established policies and standards through a formal risk-based process.
          Scope:
          Enterprise

          Parent Control Context

          Control Baseline
          Control Name:
          Exception Lifecycle Management (EXC-002)
          Summary:
          Establishes exception lifecycle including request, risk assessment, approval, documentation, monitoring, periodic review, renewal, expiration, closure, and continuous improvement for security and compliance exceptions.
          Business Description:
          Establish and maintain processes to request, assess, approve, document, monitor, periodically review, renew, expire, and close security and compliance exceptions throughout their lifecycle.