ASD ISM 0181 Ensure cabling meets Australian Standards
What it says
Cabling infrastructure is installed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, as directed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
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What it means
In plain EnglishInstall cables according to Australian Standards as required by the communications authority.
This control is about making sure any cables you have installed for communications or internet meet Australian Standards. It is important because poorly installed cables can lead to weak connections or even cause safety hazards like electrical fires. By following the standards, you ensure your network runs reliably and safely.
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Why it matters
Non-compliant cabling can cause outages, interference and fire/electrical hazards, disrupting services and endangering staff and facilities.
How to implement
Facilities management staff should coordinate with certified cable installers to ensure all new installations comply with Australian Standards.
They should verify the installers' qualifications and request documentation proving compliance with standards such as AS/CA S009:2020, which details how to safely install communication cables.
The IT manager should create a checklist that matches the Australian Standards for cabling and ensure that all new installations are checked against these criteria.
This checklist should include inspecting cable routes and connections to ensure they follow proper guidelines to minimise interference and maintain safety.
An office manager should keep a copy of all cabling compliance certificates and installation documents in an accessible location.
These documents should be stored both digitally and physically to ensure they can be easily accessed during audits.
Procurement officers should only approve purchasing from vendors who provide a compliance guarantee with their products.
They should request a declaration from vendors that all cabling supplied meets the necessary Australian Standards before placing an order.
Business owners should periodically review cabling installations with a certified electrical inspector.
This can involve scheduling regular inspections to catch any issues early and maintain compliance over time.
Keep it running
Install and label cabling to relevant Australian Standards/ACMA rules; periodically inspect, test and remediate damaged or non-compliant runs.
Evidence and audit
- Check 1 of 5What an auditor asks for
Ask for
The compliance certificate from the cabling installer: Request to see the installer's certification documentation that proves they follow Australian Standards.
Look at
The certificate issue date and scope to ensure it is current and applicable.
Good evidence
Is a dated certificate verifying compliance with the correct standards.
- Check 2 of 5What an auditor asks for
Ask for
To see the checklist used by the IT manager during the installation: Review this checklist to confirm all items relating to Australian Standards were checked.
Look at
Sections where specific standards like AS/CA S009:2020 are mentioned.
Good evidence
Includes detailed notes on each checklist item showing compliance was observed.
- Check 3 of 5What an auditor asks for
Ask for
Them to explain how they ensure compliance with Australian Standards during installations.
Good evidence
Is that they work with certified installers and perform their own inspections.
- Check 4 of 5What an auditor asks for
Look at
How cables are routed and secured to avoid damage or interference.
Good evidence
Setup shows cables are neatly organised, secured, and away from potential hazards.
- Check 5 of 5What an auditor asks for
Look at
Clauses specifying these standards in contracts.
Good evidence
Contract clearly states these compliance requirements.
Mappings
Closest match in ISO/IEC 27001: A.5.31, Compliance with information security legal requirements, which this control supports.
ISO/IEC 27001: 2 mappings
This control supports A.5.31.
ISM-0181 requires cabling infrastructure to be installed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, directed by ACMA. Annex A 5.31 mandates organisations to identify, document, and maintain current the legal, statutory, and regulatory information security requirements, potentially including ACMA cabling standards. ISM-0181 is a technical/physical requirement, while Annex A 5.31 is governance-focused on compliance obligations.
This control depends on A.7.12.
Annex A 7.12 requires cables carrying power or data to be protected from interception, interference, or damage. ISM-0181 requires cabling infrastructure to be installed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, which generally promotes safe, robust installation practices that reduce damage and inadvertent interference. However, standards-based installation does not necessarily address security-specific threats like deliberate interception, so ISM-0181 supports but does not fully satisfy Annex A 7.12.
Mappings show how controls relate across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.