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AST-11: Automated Unauthorized Component Detection

AST 3 — Low Detect

Automated mechanisms exist to detect and alert upon the detection of unauthorized hardware, software and firmware components.

Renumbered: Formerly AST-02.2 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, AST-11 was Removal of Assets. That control is now AST-24.

Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to detect and alert upon the detection of unauthorized hardware, software and firmware components?

General (21)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC7.1-POF4
CIS CSC 8.1 1.2 1.3 1.5 2.3 2.4
CIS CSC 8.1 IG1 1.2 2.3
CIS CSC 8.1 IG2 1.2 1.3 2.3 2.4
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 1.2 1.3 1.5 2.3 2.4
CSA IoT SCF 2 SNT-04
GovRAMP CM-08(03)
GovRAMP Moderate CM-08(03)
GovRAMP High CM-08(03)
IEC 62443-2-1 2024 ORG 2.2(a)
NIST 800-53 R4 CM-8(3)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 CM-08(03)
NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) CM-08(03)
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) CM-08(03)
NIST 800-82 R3 CM-08(03)
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay CM-08(03)
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay CM-08(03)
NIST 800-160 Vol2 R1 CM-08(03)
NIST 800-172 R3 03.04.02E
NIST 800-172A R3 DS-A.03.04.02E.a A.03.04.02E.ODP[01]
NIST 800-207 NIST Tenet 5 NIST Tenet 6
US (6)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 CM-8(3) CM-8(3).a CM-8(3).b CM-8(3)-IS CM-8(3)-IS.1 CM-8(3)-IS.2
USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 CM-8(3)
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) CM-08(03)
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) CM-08(03)
USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 CM-8(CE-3) CM-8(CE-3).a CM-8(CE-3).b CM-8(CE-3).b.1 CM-8(CE-3).b.2 CM-8(CE-3).b.3
USA Federal 33 CFR Part 101 Subpart F 101.650(i)(2)
EMEA (4)

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Asset Management (AST) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with AST domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with AST domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An IT Asset Management (ITAM) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain AST domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of ITAM operations (e.g., ITAM platform, (e.g., Configuration Management Database (CMBD) Asset Management solution). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with AST domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to automatically detect and alert upon the detection of unauthorized hardware, software and firmware components.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Asset Management (AST) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ 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. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Assessment Objectives

  1. AST-11_A01 automated mechanisms used to detect the presence of unauthorized hardware within the system are defined.
  2. AST-11_A02 the frequency at which automated mechanisms are used to detect the presence of unauthorized hardware, software and/or firmware within the system is defined.
  3. AST-11_A03 automated mechanisms disable network access by unauthorized components, isolate unauthorized components and/or notify organization-defined personnel or roles.
  4. AST-11_A04 personnel or roles to be notified when unauthorized components are detected is/are defined.
  5. AST-11_A05 organization-defined actions are taken when unauthorized hardware, software and/or firmware is/are detected.

Evidence Requirements

E-AST-34 Asset Discovery Results

Documented evidence of automated asset discovery results reconciled against the asset inventory (e.g., unknown / unauthorized assets identified).

Asset Management
E-MON-04 Rogue Devices

Documented evidence of rogue device identification is included as part of the centralized event log collection and review/analysis process.

Event Log Monitoring

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • DHCP logging
  • Active discovery scan (e.g., Nmap, Angry IP Scanner - free)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Small

  • DHCP logging
  • Active discovery tools (e.g., Nmap, Lansweeper free tier)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

Medium

  • DHCP logging
  • Active discovery tools (e.g., Lansweeper, Nmap)
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)
  • Netwrix Auditor (https://netwrix.com)

Large

  • DHCP logging
  • Network access control (NAC) for unauthorized device blocking
  • Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)
  • Netwrix Auditor (https://netwrix.com)
  • Qualys or Tenable asset discovery

Enterprise

  • Enterprise asset discovery with continuous monitoring (e.g., Qualys CSAM, Tenable.io)
  • Network Access Control (NAC) integration
  • DHCP + SIEM correlation for unauthorized device alerting
  • CimTrak Integrity Suite (https://cimcor.com/cimtrak)
  • CIS Control 1 automated asset discovery alignment

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