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AST-02.5: Network Access Control (NAC)

AST 4 — Medium Protect

Automated mechanisms exist to employ Network Access Control (NAC), or a similar technology, which is capable of detecting unauthorized devices and disable network access to those unauthorized devices.

Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to employ Network Access Control (NAC), or a similar technology, which is capable of detecting unauthorized devices and disable network access to those unauthorized devices?

General (10)
Framework Mapping Values
CIS CSC 8.1 13.9
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 13.9
NIST 800-53 R4 IA-3(4)
NIST 800-53 R5 (source) IA-3(4) SC-7(19)
NIST 800-161 R1 SC-7(19)
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 SC-7(19)
NIST 800-172 3.5.3e
NIST 800-207 NIST Tenet 6
SCF CORE ESP Level 2 Critical Infrastructure AST-02.5
SCF CORE ESP Level 3 Advanced Threats AST-02.5
US (3)
Framework Mapping Values
US CMMC 2.0 Level 3 (source) IA.L3-3.5.3E
US DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.UNI.INVENT
US HIPAA HICP Large Practice 5.L.B 6.L.E
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Israel CDMO 1.0 23.6
APAC (2)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2024 ISM-0520 ISM-1182
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 11.2.4
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada CSAG 4.21 4.24

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

There is no evidence of a capability to employ Network Access Control (NAC), or a similar technology, which is capable of detecting unauthorized devices and disable network access to those unauthorized devices.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

C|P-CMM1 is N/A, since a structured process is required to employ Network Access Control (NAC), or a similar technology, which is capable of detecting unauthorized devices and disable network access to those unauthorized devices.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

C|P-CMM2 is N/A, since a well-defined process is required to employ Network Access Control (NAC), or a similar technology, which is capable of detecting unauthorized devices and disable network access to those unauthorized devices.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Asset Management (AST) efforts are standardized across the organization and centrally managed, where technically feasible, to ensure consistency. CMM Level 3 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • An IT Asset Management (ITAM) function, or similar function, governs asset management to help ensure compliance with requirements for asset management.
  • An ITAM function, or similar function, maintains an inventory of IT assets, covering both physical and virtual assets, as well as centrally managed asset ownership assignments.
  • Technology assets and data are categorized according to data classification and business criticality criteria.
  • A Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) function oversees supply chain risks including the removal and prevention of certain technology services and/ or equipment designated as supply chain threats by a statutory or regulatory body.
  • Data/process owners document where sensitive/regulated data is stored, transmitted and processed, generating Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) and network diagrams to document the flow of data.
  • Network Access Control (NAC) technologies are deployed on network segments and/ or endpoint devices to prevent unauthorized network communications, as well as personal and third-party devices from connecting to internal networks.
  • NAC is also configured to alert cybersecurity personnel for possible incidents (e.g., NAC logs are directed to a SIEM).
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Asset Management (AST) efforts are metrics driven and provide sufficient management insight (based on a quantitative understanding of process capabilities) to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and identify areas for improvement.

  • Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs).
  • Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties.
  • Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review).
  • Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes.
  • Both business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving

See C|P-CMM4. There are no defined C|P-CMM5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to employ Network Access Control (NAC), or a similar technology, which is capable of detecting unauthorized devices and disable network access to those unauthorized devices.

Assessment Objectives

  1. AST-02.5_A01 system components that are known, authenticated, in a properly configured state or in a trust profile are identified.
  2. AST-02.5_A02 automated or manual/procedural mechanisms to prohibit system components from connecting to organizational systems are identified.
  3. AST-02.5_A03 automated or manual/procedural mechanisms are employed to prohibit system components from connecting to organizational systems unless the components are known, authenticated, in a properly configured state or in a trust profile.
  4. AST-02.5_A04 configuration management process to be employed to handle device identification and authentication based on attestation is defined.
  5. AST-02.5_A05 device identification and authentication are handled based on attestation by configuration management process.

Technology Recommendations

Medium

  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) (https://cisco.com)
  • HPE Aruba Central (https://arubanetworks.com)
  • Juniper Juniper Mist Access Assurance (https://juniper.net)
  • Packet Fence (https://packetfence.org)
  • Forescout (https://forescout.com)

Large

  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) (https://cisco.com)
  • HPE Aruba Central (https://arubanetworks.com)
  • Juniper Juniper Mist Access Assurance (https://juniper.net)
  • Packet Fence (https://packetfence.org)
  • Forescout (https://forescout.com)

Enterprise

  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) (https://cisco.com)
  • HPE Aruba Central (https://arubanetworks.com)
  • Juniper Juniper Mist Access Assurance (https://juniper.net)
  • Packet Fence (https://packetfence.org)
  • Forescout (https://forescout.com)

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