Regular Maintenance of a Cable Register
Ensure that all cables are tracked and verified regularly using a cable register to maintain effective infrastructure management.
Plain language
This control is about keeping a detailed record of all the cables in your organisation. It matters because without knowing where your cables are or what they connect to, issues can arise, causing network failures and disruption to your business operations. Regularly updating this register ensures everything is accounted for, preventing potential headaches down the track.
Framework
ASD Information Security Manual (ISM)
Control effect
Proactive
Classifications
NC, OS, P, S, TS
ISM last updated
Nov 2022
Control Stack last updated
19 Mar 2026
E8 maturity levels
N/A
Section
Cabling infrastructureTopic
Cable RegisterOfficial control statement
A cable register is developed, implemented, maintained and verified on a regular basis.
Why it matters
If a cable register is not maintained and verified, cabling faults and unauthorised changes may go unnoticed, causing outages, delays in repairs and higher recovery costs.
Operational notes
Update the cable register after installs, moves and decommissions; record endpoints, labels, routes and owners, and periodically verify entries against physical cabling.
Implementation tips
- The IT manager should establish a system for keeping track of all the cables used throughout the organisation. This means creating a simple spreadsheet or using a specialised software tool to record cable types, locations, and what they connect to.
- An office manager should assign a staff member to regularly check the physical cables in the office. They should use the cable register to verify each cable's details and note any discrepancies or changes.
- The IT support team should collaborate with other staff to ensure all new cable installations or removals are reflected in the register immediately. They can make it a part of the installation or removal process to update the register before leaving the site.
- The IT team should schedule quarterly reviews of the cable register to verify its accuracy. This involves physically checking a random sample of cables to ensure they match the register details and documenting any issues found.
- An office manager should conduct an annual training session for staff to understand the importance of the cable register. This session can include tips on how to spot unauthorised changes or missing cables and report them promptly.
Audit / evidence tips
- AskThe current cable register document: Request to see the latest version of the cable register, whether it's a spreadsheet, PDF, or database export GoodShows a detailed, up-to-date register covering all operational areas
- AskTo see any logs or records that show changes made to the cable register over time GoodShows regular updates corresponding to actual changes in infrastructure
- AskThem to describe the process for updating the register and how often this occurs GoodClearly demonstrates awareness of the process and describes routine checks and updates
- AskTo watch a staff member perform a check against the physical setup GoodInvolves a systematic approach and careful comparison to the register
- GoodIncludes follow-up actions taken and updates made to correct the register promptly
Cross-framework mappings
How ISM-0211 relates to controls across ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, Essential Eight, and ASD ISM.
ISO 27001
| Control | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|
| sync_alt Partially overlaps (1) expand_less | ||
| Annex A 7.13 | ISM-0211 requires a cable register to be maintained and regularly verified so that organisations can track physical cabling and ensure it... | |
| handshake Supports (1) expand_less | ||
| Annex A 8.9 | ISM-0211 requires a maintained and regularly verified cable register to keep accurate knowledge of physical connectivity | |
These mappings show relationships between controls across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.