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NET-41.1: Separate Subnet for Connecting to Different Security Domains

NET 5 — Medium Protect

Mechanisms exist to implement separate network addresses (e.g., different subnets) to connect to systems in different security domains.

Renumbered: Formerly NET-03.8 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization implement separate network addresses (e.g., different subnets) to connect to systems in different security domains?

General (16)
Framework Mapping Values
IEC 62443-2-1 2024 NET 1.3
NIST 800-53 R4 SC-7(22)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 SC-07(22) SC-07(29)
NIST 800-82 R3 SC-07(22) SC-07(29)
NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay SC-07(29)
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay SC-07(29)
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay SC-07(29)
NIST 800-160 Vol2 R1 SC-07(22) SC-07(29)
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.13.01.b
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.13.01.b
NIST 800-172 R3 03.13.10E 03.13.15E
NIST 800-172A R3 DS-A.03.13.10E DS-A.03.13.15E
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 1.4 1.4.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) 1.4.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 1.4.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 1.4.1
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 14.1.11.C.01
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.13.01.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

Network Security (NET) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with NET domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Network security-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.

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 implement separate network addresses (e.g., different subnets) to connect to systems in different security domains.

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. NET-41.1_A01 separate network addresses are implemented to connect to systems in different security domains.
  2. NET-41.1_A02 critical system components and functions are logically isolated.
  3. NET-41.1_A03 critical system components and functions to be isolated are defined.
  4. NET-41.1_A04 subnetworks are separated organization-defined criteria to isolate critical system components and functions.
  5. NET-41.1_A05 physical isolation techniques are defined.
  6. NET-41.1_A06 logical isolation techniques are defined.
  7. NET-41.1_A07 physical isolation techniques and/or organization-defined logical isolation techniques are employed in organizational systems and system components.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Separate network segment for systems with different security requirements

Small

  • VLAN-based subnet separation for different security domains

Medium

  • Formal network segmentation policy
  • Separate subnets per security domain
  • Inter-segment access controls

Large

  • Enterprise network segmentation with dedicated subnets per security zone

Enterprise

  • Enterprise network architecture with security-domain-based subnets
  • Automated firewall policy enforcement between zones

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