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EMB-25: Safety Instrumented System (SIS)

EMB 8 — High Protect

Automated mechanisms exist to monitor and control hazardous processes to reduce the potential negative consequences of hazardous events.

Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to monitor and control hazardous processes to reduce the potential negative consequences of hazardous events?

EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 2-3-1-5
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 10.2.6

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-25_A01 hazardous processes requiring a Safety Instrumented System (SIS) are identified through a documented hazard and risk assessment (e.g., Hazard and Operability study (HAZOP) or Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)).
  2. EMB-25_A02 a Safety Instrumented System (SIS) automatically monitors identified hazardous processes for conditions that could lead to a hazardous event.
  3. EMB-25_A03 the Safety Instrumented System (SIS) automatically takes control action to bring the hazardous process to a safe state when a hazardous condition is detected.
  4. EMB-25_A04 the Safety Instrumented System (SIS) is functionally independent of the Basic Process Control System (BPCS) so that a failure of the control system does not disable the safety function.
  5. EMB-25_A05 the proof test interval for the Safety Instrumented System (SIS) is defined.
  6. EMB-25_A06 the Safety Instrumented System (SIS) is proof tested at the defined interval and the results, including any failures found, are documented.

Evidence Requirements

E-EMB-04 Safety Instrumented System (SIS) Documentation

Documented evidence of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF), assigned Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) and safety assessments for embedded technologies.

Asset Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Not applicable unless hazardous processes are operated
  • Vendor-provided safety systems maintained per manufacturer guidance

Small

  • Vendor-provided SIS maintained under service agreement
  • SIS isolated from business networks
  • Documented safety requirements

Medium

  • Safety Instrumented System (SIS) independent from BPCS
  • Segmentation of safety networks
  • Functional safety management per IEC 61511

Large

  • Functional safety program (IEC 61508 / IEC 61511)
  • SIS with independent safety network and access control
  • OT security monitoring covering safety systems (e.g., Claroty, Nozomi, Dragos)

Enterprise

  • Enterprise functional safety management system (IEC 61508 / IEC 61511)
  • Certified SIS platforms with independent safety networks
  • Integrated OT cybersecurity and process safety governance
  • Periodic proof testing and cybersecurity assessment of SIS

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