ISM-1107 ASD Information Security Manual (ISM)

Colour Restrictions for Wall Outlet Boxes

Wall outlet boxes must not be coloured salmon pink or red to ensure proper classification.

Preventative Non-classified OFFICIAL: Sensitive PROTECTED ASD Information Security ManualGuidelines for communications infrastructure cabling information classification

🏛️ Framework

ASD Information Security Manual (ISM)

🧭 Control effect

Preventative

🔐 Classifications

NC, OS, P

🗓️ ISM last updated

Nov 2024

✏️ Control Stack last updated

19 Mar 2026

🎯 E8 maturity levels

N/A

Guideline

Guidelines for communications infrastructure

Section

Cabling infrastructure

Topic

Wall Outlet Box Colours

Official control statement

Non-classified, OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED wall outlet boxes are coloured neither salmon pink nor red.

Source: ASD Information Security Manual (ISM)

Plain language

This control is about making sure that wall outlet boxes, which are used for network connections, are not coloured salmon pink or red. This matters because consistent colouring helps quickly identify the purpose or security level of the outlet, avoiding mistakes that could lead to a mix-up of sensitive information or create security breaches.

Why it matters

If outlet boxes are salmon pink or red, they may be mistaken for higher classifications, causing incorrect handling and potential exposure of OFFICIAL: Sensitive or PROTECTED systems.

Operational notes

Inspect outlet boxes during installs and routine checks to confirm those serving non-classified, OFFICIAL: Sensitive or PROTECTED areas are not salmon pink or red; rectify any incorrect colours.

Implementation tips

Facilities management staff should ensure that any new wall outlet boxes ordered are not in salmon pink or red. This can be done by listing acceptable colours in purchasing documents and communicating with suppliers ahead of time.
IT team members should conduct a visual check of existing wall outlets to ensure compliance. They should walk through the office space, noting any non-compliant coloured outlets in order to plan for their replacement.
Procurement officers should verify the colour specifications before finalising purchases for wall outlet boxes. This involves reviewing product catalogues and confirming that only approved colours are ordered.
Office managers should coordinate with the IT department to label or replace any non-compliant wall outlet boxes. This may involve scheduling a time that minimises disruption to staff.
The company safety officer should add the colour restriction to the office safety manual. This will ensure that personnel involved in renovation or IT set-ups are aware of and comply with the colour requirements.

Audit / evidence tips

Ask: the purchase orders for wall outlets: Their documentation should show compliance with the colour requirement

Good: shows no orders for salmon pink or red boxes
Ask: to see the office layout map indicating wall outlet locations and their purposes: Check for any colour codes or descriptions

Good: clearly shows compliance with the approved colours throughout the map
Good: will include only the approved colours
Ask: to inspect a randomly selected wall outlet: Check the actual colour against the approved list

Good: result would show that none are coloured salmon pink or red
Good: includes records of corrective measures taken for any found issues

Cross-framework mappings

How ISM-1107 relates to controls across ISO/IEC 27001, Essential Eight, and ASD ISM.

These mappings show relationships between controls across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.

ISO 27001

Control	Notes	Details
Partially meets (2)
Annex A 5.13	ISM-1107 requires that Non-classified, OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED wall outlet boxes are not coloured salmon pink or red to avoid m...
Annex A 7.3	ISM-1107 mandates a facility visual-identification convention by prohibiting salmon pink or red colouring on certain wall outlet boxes to...