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EMB-03: Separate Operating Environments For Embedded Technologies

EMB 9 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to logically or physically separate embedded technologies from organizational Information Technology (IT) networks.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, EMB-03 was Operational Technology (OT). That control is now EMB-06.

Control Question: Does the organization logically or physically separate embedded technologies from organizational Information Technology (IT) networks?

US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal DoW BaTB OT 2026 3 6
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 2-4-1-1
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia CCM 2026 PRO-19 PRO-20

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

Embedded Technology (EMB) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with EMB domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Embedded technology management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ Embedded technologies (e.g., Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) are managed in the same manner as any other technology asset.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Embedded Technology (EMB) 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 EMB domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with EMB 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 EMB domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Embedded technology-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Embedded technology management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Embedded Technology (EMB) 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 EMB 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 EMB domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An embedded systems team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain EMB domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of embedded technology operations (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 EMB 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).

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. EMB-03_A01 embedded technologies (e.g., Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices) are identified and their network connectivity is documented.
  2. EMB-03_A02 embedded technologies are logically (e.g., segmented zones and conduits, firewalls, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs)) or physically separated from organizational Information Technology (IT) networks.
  3. EMB-03_A03 network traffic permitted between embedded technology environments and organizational Information Technology (IT) networks is restricted to documented, authorized flows.
  4. EMB-03_A04 the separation of embedded technologies from organizational Information Technology (IT) networks is verified at a defined frequency through network architecture review, configuration review and/or testing.

Evidence Requirements

E-EMB-01 Embedded Technology Network Separation

Documented evidence that embedded technologies (OT / IoT) are logically or physically separated from IT networks, with restricted and authorized communications.

Asset Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Separate Wi-Fi network or VLAN for IoT devices (e.g., cameras, printers, smart devices)
  • Firewall rules blocking IoT-to-workstation traffic

Small

  • Dedicated VLAN(s) for IoT/OT with firewall rules
  • Network Access Control (NAC) or MAC filtering for embedded devices

Medium

  • Network segmentation for IoT/OT with firewall enforcement
  • Network Access Control (NAC) (e.g., Cisco ISE, Aruba ClearPass, FortiNAC)
  • Industrial DMZ for OT environments

Large

  • Purdue model-based OT segmentation with industrial DMZ
  • OT-aware firewalls (e.g., Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco)
  • OT visibility platform (e.g., Claroty, Nozomi, Armis)

Enterprise

  • Enterprise OT/IoT segmentation program aligned with ISA/IEC 62443 zones and conduits
  • OT-aware firewalls and unidirectional gateways where required
  • OT visibility and detection platform (e.g., Claroty, Nozomi, Dragos, Armis)

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