ASD ISM 1640 Label cables for foreign systems in Australia
What it says
Cables for foreign systems installed in Australian facilities are labelled at inspection points.
Quoted as published. Everything else on this page is written by Control Stack.
What it means
In plain EnglishEnsure all cables from foreign systems in Australia are labelled at check points.
When foreign systems are installed in Australian facilities, it's important to label their cables at inspection points. This helps easily identify these cables during audits or emergencies and prevents confusion that can lead to loss of connection, security breaches, or accidents.
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Why it matters
Unlabelled foreign-system cables in Australian facilities can be misidentified at inspection points, delaying audits and incident response.
How to implement
Facility managers should ensure that all incoming cables for foreign systems are clearly tagged with labels.
They can set up a system where new cables are labelled at the entry point into the facility and checked during routine inspections.
IT teams should maintain a record of labelled cables and the systems they connect to.
This can be done by documenting the cable layout in a spreadsheet or database and regularly updating it whenever changes are made.
Maintenance staff should perform regular checks on these labels to ensure they remain visible and legible.
They can use a checklist during routine maintenance rounds to verify the condition of cable labels.
Procurement officers should communicate the labelling requirement to suppliers and contractors.
They can include a clause in contracts specifying that cables must be labelled at installation and inspected regularly.
Supervisors should provide regular training to staff on the importance of cable labelling.
This can be done through brief refresher courses or workshops explaining how cable labelling helps prevent technical issues and enhances security.
Keep it running
Label every foreign-system cable at each inspection point and keep labels legible and current so cables can be traced quickly during audits or incidents.
Evidence and audit
- Check 1 of 5What an auditor asks for
Ask for
The cable labelling register.
Look at
The document or electronic record that lists all labelled cables, their location, and system associations.
Good evidence
A comprehensive and up-to-date register with no missing entries.
- Check 2 of 5What an auditor asks for
Good evidence
Each visible cable is accurately labelled with clear, legible information.
- Check 3 of 5What an auditor asks for
Ask for
The maintenance schedule: Verify the routine checks that include inspections of cable labelling.
Good evidence
A detailed schedule showing regular inspections and any required follow-up actions are documented.
- Check 4 of 5What an auditor asks for
Look at
Evidence of staff training on the importance and procedure of cable labelling.
Good evidence
Records showing regular training sessions with high attendance rates.
- Check 5 of 5What an auditor asks for
Ask for
Procurement contract clauses: Check the agreements for clauses specifying cable labelling requirements.
Good evidence
Contracts with explicit terms about cable labelling responsibilities and accountability.
Mappings
Closest match in ISO/IEC 27001: A.7.12, Secure cabling for power and data, which this control partially meets.
ISO/IEC 27001: 1 mapping
This control partially meets A.7.12.
ISM-1640 requires cables for foreign systems installed in Australian facilities to be labelled at defined inspection points so personnel can reliably identify which physical links relate to foreign systems. This supports ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A 7.12 because effective protection of power/data cabling from interception, interference, or damage depends on being able to accurately identify, trace, and verify the correct cables during inspections, segregation, and maintenance. The primary focus differs: Annex A 7.12 is about protecting cabling from harm and compromise, whereas ISM-1640 is a specific identification/assurance mechanism that helps those protections be correctly applied to the right cabling.
Mappings show how controls relate across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.