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Communications infrastructure
ASD ISMISM-1102

ASD ISM 1102 Terminate cable reticulation close to cabinet

What it says

Cable reticulation systems leading into cabinets are terminated as close as possible to the cabinet.

Quoted as published. Everything else on this page is written by Control Stack.

What it means

In plain English

Ensure cables are ended near cabinets to improve connection and organisation.

This control is about making sure the cables that connect your equipment end as close as possible to the cabinet they service. This is important because if cables run long distances unnecessarily, they can create mess, increase connection issues, and make it harder to handle problems when they arise. Keeping things tidy and short reduces risk and keeps everything running smoothly.

Why it matters

If reticulation is not terminated close to the cabinet, excess/loose runs increase damage and mispatch risk, causing outages and longer fault isolation.

How to implement

  1. IT team should identify where each cable is currently terminated.

    They can do this by following the route of each cable and making notes about their current paths. This way, they know which cables may need to be adjusted to meet the control.

  2. Procurement staff should ensure any new cable purchases are planned adequately.

    They should purchase cables with the correct length needed, based on measurements taken from equipment to cabinet. This avoids waste and ensures compliance right from the start.

  3. IT team should reroute cables to end close to the cabinets they serve.

    They can achieve this by carefully removing long, unnecessary lengths and refining the cable management structure. Use cable ties to keep them neatly bundled and labelled.

  4. Facilities manager should check that the layout of rooms allows cables to remain close to their cabinets.

    They can do this by planning furniture and equipment placement with IT input, ensuring efficient cable paths that don't need to cross entire rooms.

  5. Office managers should keep records of any cabling changes.

    They can document adjustments and reasons for these changes in an office manual or log, ready for both IT reference and audit purposes.

Keep it running

During cabinet inspections, confirm reticulation terminates at/near the cabinet entry; remove slack, secure to trays, and label terminations to prevent snagging.

Evidence and audit

  1. Check 1 of 5What an auditor asks for

    Ask for

    The cable layout plan: Request to see a map or diagram of the current cable paths in relation to the cabinets they serve.

    Look at

    How directly the cables run to each cabinet without unnecessary loops or excess length.

    Good evidence

    A visually clear map showing direct cable routes ending next to cabinets.

  2. Check 2 of 5What an auditor asks for

    Ask for

    Purchase records of cabling equipment: Request documentation of recent cable purchases to verify proper planning and implementation.

    Look at

    Whether the lengths purchased are close to the lengths needed to reach the cabinets.

    Good evidence

    Procurement records showing recent cable purchases that align with room dimensions.

  3. Check 3 of 5What an auditor asks for

    Ask for

    Maintenance logs: Request any logs that show recent changes or maintenance to the cabling system.

    Look at

    Details about cable rerouting or reductions in length for compliance with the control.

    Good evidence

    Logs detailing corrective actions undertaken to ensure cables end close to cabinets.

  4. Check 4 of 5What an auditor asks for

    Ask for

    Photos or walkthroughs: Request visual evidence, like photos or a tour, to observe the physical state of the cabling setup.

    Look at

    The alignment and tidiness of cables, focusing on their proximity to cabinets.

    Good evidence

    Photographic evidence or a live demonstration of organised, direct cable paths.

  5. Check 5 of 5What an auditor asks for

    Ask for

    Meeting records about cabling discussions: Request notes or minutes from meetings where cabling was discussed and decisions were made.

    Look at

    Discussions on cable routes and lengths relevant to this control.

    Good evidence

    Meeting minutes showing decisions on reducing cable length and improving cabinet proximity.

Mappings

Closest match in ISO/IEC 27001: A.7.12, Secure cabling for power and data, which this control partially meets.

ISO 27001

ISO/IEC 27001: 1 mapping

  • A.7.12Secure cabling for power and dataPartially meets

Mappings show how controls relate across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.