NET-11: Microsegmentation
Automated mechanisms exist to enable microsegmentation, either physically or virtually, to divide the network according to application and data workflows communications needs.
Renumbered: Formerly NET-06.6 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, NET-11 was Out-of-Band Channels. That control is now NET-07.
Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to enable microsegmentation, either physically or virtually, to divide the network according to application and data workflows communications needs?
US (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal DHS CISA TIC 3.0 | 3.PEP.NE.MICRO |
| USA Federal DoW BaTB IT 2026 | 5 |
| USA Federal DoW BaTB OT 2026 | 5 |
| USA Federal DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture 2.0 | 3.2 |
| USA Federal DoD Zero Trust Execution Roadmap v1.1 | 3.4.7 5.3.1 5.4 5.4.1 5.4.2 5.4.3 |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1269 ISM-1270 ISM-1271 |
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | 11.3(d) A10-B1(b) |
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
Network Security (NET) 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 NET domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with NET 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 NET domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Network security-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Network security management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ IT personnel define secure networking practices to protect the Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability and Safety (CIAS) of the organization's TAASD. ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) enforce the principles of least privileges and least functionality for boundary protection technologies.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Network Security (NET) 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 NET 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 NET domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A network security management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain NET domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of network security operations (e.g., network management solution and log aggregator). ▪ 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 NET 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). ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) enforce the principles of least privileges and least functionality for boundary protection technologies. ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to automatically enable microsegmentation, either physically or virtually, to divide the network according to application and data workflows communications needs.
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
- NET-11_A01 microsegmentation is implemented, either physically or virtually, to divide the network according to application and data workflow communications needs.
Evidence Requirements
- E-NET-08 Internal Boundaries
-
Documented evidence of key internal boundaries.
Network Security
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Note: Typically not required at this size; host-based firewalls enabled on all devices
Small
- Host-based firewall policies and VLAN segmentation as a precursor to microsegmentation
Medium
- Plan for microsegmentation as network matures
Large
- Microsegmentation for high-risk workloads (e.g., VMware NSX)
- Segmentation policy
Enterprise
- Enterprise microsegmentation platform (e.g., Illumio, VMware NSX)
- Application-level micro-perimeters
- Zero-trust workload access