AI Control Library / CF-01: Lifecycle Governance
Designation: Supplemental | Control types represented: Operational
A plan stored only behind the failed identity service may be unavailable when needed. Stale contacts, inaccessible secrets or contradictory copies can prevent an otherwise sound recovery process.
Control requirement
Protect and maintain continuity documentation so authorized responders can obtain accurate, usable instructions during the disruptions the plans address. Control versions, access, dependencies and confidential recovery information.
Why this matters
The control is effective when its required decisions and safeguards can be demonstrated in the actual workflow. An approved document or completed form alone is insufficient if the described actions are not performed.
How the control types work together
Operational controls provide the policies, decisions and recurring processes described here.
When it applies
Continuity procedures, contact lists, dependency maps, recovery references and supporting records for AI-supported services.
Tailor depth and review frequency to potential impact, system authority and uncertainty. Document the reason for any exclusion; a supplemental designation does not make an otherwise applicable safeguard optional.
Ownership
The continuity documentation owner maintains availability and integrity; service owners verify technical accuracy and access requirements.
Implementation guidance
- Identify essential documents and their authoritative versions; define ownership, review triggers and controlled distribution.
- Provide a protected alternate access route suitable for expected outages, including offline access where justified.
- Keep secrets in an appropriate protected system with a tested emergency access route; avoid embedding reusable credentials in broadly distributed plans.
- Test access during representative dependency failures and reconcile superseded copies, contact changes and revised procedures.
How to verify it
Use a representative sample of actual records or an authorized controlled exercise. A reviewer with suitable expertise should compare observed practice with the approved scope and acceptance criteria.
| Test | Expected result |
|---|---|
| Assume normal collaboration or identity systems are unavailable | Authorized responders can still retrieve necessary instructions. |
| Compare distributed copies | The operative version and contact details agree. |
| Inspect sensitive recovery material | Access is restricted and emergency retrieval is tested. |
Record a finding when a required result is absent, evidence cannot substantiate the claim, or practice differs materially from the approved conditions. An exception may record accepted risk, but does not turn a failed safeguard into an effective one.
Evidence to retain
- Document register and version history
- Distribution and access arrangements
- Availability tests
- Sensitive-information handling records
Protect evidence according to its sensitivity and approved retention requirements. Retain enough detail to substantiate the assessment without unnecessarily duplicating confidential or personal information.
If the control fails
Escalate inaccessible or contradictory instructions to the continuity lead. Establish an authorized temporary reference and resolve the source/version problem before declaring recovery readiness.
Example in practice
Hypothetical example: A recovery plan is kept in a cloud workspace dependent on the affected login service. A protected emergency copy and separate credential-recovery procedure allow the response team to proceed.
Related controls
- CF01-S07: AI Continuity Planning
- CF01-S10: AI Continuity Communication
- CF01-S12: AI Disaster Response Plan
Framework mappings
- CSA AICM (BCR-05)
- NIST AI RMF (MANAGE 4.1)
- ISO 42001 (Cl. 8.2)
Review and maintenance
Review at the interval approved by the control owner and after a material change, relevant incident or failed assessment. Reassess the affected scope, update records and verify corrective actions before closing findings.
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