ASD ISM 0195 Seal removable covers on TOP SECRET cables
What it says
In shared facilities, uniquely identifiable SCEC-approved tamper-evident seals are used to seal all removable covers on TOP SECRET cable reticulation systems.
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What it means
In plain EnglishUse special seals to secure TOP SECRET cable covers in shared spaces to prevent tampering.
In places where many people have access, all covers that can be removed from cables carrying top-secret information need to be sealed with special tamper-evident seals. This helps prevent anyone from interfering with these cables unnoticed, which could lead to a leak of highly sensitive information.
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Why it matters
Without uniquely identifiable SCEC-approved tamper-evident seals on removable TOP SECRET cable covers, interference may go undetected, enabling leakage.
How to implement
The IT manager should identify all the cable covers that protect top-secret cables in shared areas.
Create a detailed map or list showing where each cable cover is located for quick reference.
Facilities management should train staff on how to apply these seals.
Organise a short workshop demonstrating the correct sealing process and how to check that a seal hasn't been tampered with.
An assigned security officer should perform regular checks on all sealed covers.
Schedule routine inspections to ensure that all seals are intact and note any anomalies immediately for further investigation.
Management should implement a reporting process for when seals are missing or tampered with.
Staff should have clear instructions on who to notify and what steps to take if they believe a seal has been compromised.
Keep it running
Regularly inspect uniquely identifiable SCEC-approved tamper-evident seals on removable TOP SECRET cable covers in shared facilities; replace immediately if tampering is suspected.
Evidence and audit
- Check 1 of 5What an auditor asks for
Ask for
The map or list of all top-secret cable covers in shared spaces.
Look at
Whether all locations have been identified and whether they match with physical locations.
Good evidence
Includes a comprehensive, up-to-date map or list verified against the actual layout.
- Check 2 of 5What an auditor asks for
Good evidence
Includes invoices or procurement records specifying the seal characteristics.
- Check 3 of 5What an auditor asks for
Good evidence
Is where staff show confidence and clarity in their procedures.
- Check 4 of 5What an auditor asks for
Good evidence
Is a thorough and documented inspection routine.
- Check 5 of 5What an auditor asks for
Look at
Documented follow-ups and resolution steps taken.
Good evidence
Includes detailed incident logs with clear resolution actions.
Mappings
Closest match in ISO/IEC 27001: A.7.5, Protecting against physical and environmental threats, which this control partially meets.
ISO/IEC 27001: 2 mappings
This control partially meets A.7.5.
Annex A 7.5 requires protections to prevent or reduce harm from intentional or unintentional physical threats to infrastructure. ISM-0195 is a targeted anti-tamper measure, requiring SCEC-approved tamper-evident seals on removable covers for TOP SECRET cable reticulation systems in shared facilities. Annex A 7.5 covers this kind of physical tamper protection but also extends to environmental hazards and broader facility resilience controls.
This control partially meets A.7.12.
ISM-0195 requires the use of uniquely identifiable SCEC-approved tamper-evident seals to secure all removable covers on TOP SECRET cable reticulation systems in shared facilities to deter and detect tampering. This directly maps to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A 7.12, which requires organisations to protect power and data cabling from interception, interference or damage. ISM-0195 is a specific, classified-environment implementation (tamper-evident sealing of cable covers) of the broader cabling protection objective in Annex A 7.12.
Mappings show how controls relate across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.