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EMB-04: Embedded Technology Inventory Management

EMB 8 — High Identify

Mechanisms exist to augment organizational IT Asset Management (ITAM) processes for Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices with: (1) Passive network monitoring; and (2) Periodic physical inspections.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, EMB-04 was Interface Security. That control is now EMB-07.

Control Question: Does the organization augment organizational IT Asset Management (ITAM) processes for Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices with: (1) Passive network monitoring; and (2) Periodic physical inspections?

General (2)
Framework Mapping Values
CIS CSC 8.1 1.5
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 1.5
US (2)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal C2M2 2.1 ASSET-1f ASSET-1g
USA Federal DoW BaTB OT 2026 2
EMEA (2)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Saudi Arabia IoT CGIoT-1 2024 2-1
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 2-1-1-1 2-1-1-2
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 11.5.1

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

Embedded Technology (EMB) 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. EMB-04_A01 passive network monitoring is used to identify Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices and the results are used to update the IT Asset Management (ITAM) inventory.
  2. EMB-04_A02 the frequency at which physical inspections of Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) device locations are performed is defined.
  3. EMB-04_A03 physical inspections of Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) device locations are performed at the defined frequency and the results are reconciled against the IT Asset Management (ITAM) inventory.
  4. EMB-04_A04 discrepancies between the IT Asset Management (ITAM) inventory and the results of passive network monitoring or physical inspection are investigated and the inventory is corrected.

Evidence Requirements

E-AST-07 Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)

Documented evidence of an inventory of the organization's physical assets that process functions based on software and networks.

Asset Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Manual inventory of IoT devices (spreadsheet)
  • Annual walk-through to identify connected devices

Small

  • IoT/OT devices tracked in the asset inventory
  • Router/firewall device lists reviewed periodically
  • Annual physical inspection

Medium

  • Passive discovery for IoT/OT (e.g., runZero, Armis, Lansweeper OT)
  • Embedded devices recorded in the CMDB
  • Annual physical inspection with reconciliation

Large

  • OT/IoT visibility platform with passive monitoring (e.g., Claroty, Nozomi, Armis)
  • CMDB integration for embedded devices
  • Scheduled physical inspections by site

Enterprise

  • Enterprise OT/IoT asset visibility platform (e.g., Claroty, Nozomi, Dragos, Armis)
  • Automated CMDB reconciliation for embedded devices
  • Formal physical inspection program across facilities

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