AST-02.5: Network Access Control (NAC)
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
- AST-02.5_A01 system components that are known, authenticated, in a properly configured state or in a trust profile are identified.
- AST-02.5_A02 automated or manual/procedural mechanisms to prohibit system components from connecting to organizational systems are identified.
- 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.
- AST-02.5_A04 configuration management process to be employed to handle device identification and authentication based on attestation is defined.
- 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)