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AST-34: Jump Server

AST 7 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to conduct remote system administrative functions via a "jump box" or "jump server" that is located in a separate network zone to user workstations.

Renumbered: Formerly AST-27 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization conduct remote system administrative functions via a "jump box" or "jump server" that is located in a separate network zone to user workstations?

General (3)
Framework Mapping Values
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.01.12.a 03.01.12.c
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.01.12.a[01] A.03.01.12.c[01] A.03.01.12.c[02]
SWIFT CSF 2025 1.5 2.6
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CISA CPG 2022 2.F
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 2-3-1-4
APAC (3)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia Essential 8 2024 ISM-1387
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-1385 ISM-1387
APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 5.7.2(c)
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.01.12.A 03.01.12.C

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

Asset Management (AST) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). 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. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with AST domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with AST domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Asset management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Asset management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ The IT department establishes, maintains and updates an inventory that contains a listing of all organizational-owned TAASD, at a minimum covering common devices (e.g., laptops, workstations and servers).

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 conduct remote system administrative functions via a "jump box" or "jump server" that is located in a separate network zone to user workstations.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

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-34_A01 a "jump box" or "jump server" is established in a secure network zone that is separate from user workstations.
  2. AST-34_A02 non-console system administrative functions are performed only through a "jump box" or "jump server" that is located in a network zone separate from user workstations.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Network segmentation

Small

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Network segmentation

Medium

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Network segmentation

Large

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Network segmentation

Enterprise

  • IT Asset Management (ITAM) program
  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Network segmentation

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