MP-8: Media Downgrading
Not Required by DIR or TAMUS (Discretionary)
Review Date: 07/24/2024
- Information system users shall ensure that media downgrading has/has been:
- Established processes to include employing downgrading mechanisms with strength and integrity commensurate with the security category or classification of the information;
- Verified processes that are commensurate with the security category and/or classification level of the information to be removed and the access authorizations of the potential recipients of the downgraded information has been verified;
- Identified where any system media requiring downgrading under their control is completed accordingly; and
- Conducted in accordance with any applicable system media downgrading processes.
Note: Media downgrading applies to digital and non-digital media subject to release outside of the organization, whether the media is considered removable or not. When applied to system media, the downgrading process removes information from the media, typically by security category or classification level, such that the information cannot be retrieved or reconstructed. Downgrading of media includes redacting information to enable wider release and distribution. Downgrading ensures that empty space on the media is devoid of information.