Internet

of Things
Companion Guide

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide

Acknowledgments
The Center for Internet Security, Inc. (CIS®) would like to thank the
many security experts who volunteer their time and talent to support
the CIS Critical Security Controls® (CIS Controls®) and other CIS work.
CIS products represent the effort of a veritable army of volunteers from
across the industry, generously giving their time and talent in the name
of a more secure online experience for everyone.

Editor
Joshua M. Franklin, CIS

Contributors
Tony Krzyzewski, SAM for Compliance Ltd.
Maurice Turner, Alliance for Securing Democracy
Kathleen Moriarty, CIS
Robin Regnier, CIS

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide  Page i

Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Definition of Internet of Things............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Methodology................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Terminology ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Applicability Overview.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Control 01. Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets........................................................................................................................................................................... 8

IoT Applicability 8
IoT Challenges 8
IoT Additional Discussion 9

Control 02. Inventory and Control of Software Assets........................................................................................................................................................................... 11

IoT Applicability 11
IoT Challenges 11
IoT Additional Discussion 12

Control 03. Data Protection.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

IoT Applicability 14
IoT Challenges 14
IoT Additional Discussion 15

Control 04. Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software................................................................................................................................ 18

IoT Applicability 18
IoT Challenges 18
IoT Additional Discussion 19

Control 05. Account Management.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

IoT Applicability 22
IoT Challenges 22
IoT Additional Discussion 23

Control 06. Access Management Control............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

IoT Applicability 25
IoT Challenges 25
IoT Additional Discussion 26

Control 07. Continuous Vulnerability Management.................................................................................................................................................................................. 28

IoT Applicability 28
IoT Challenges 28
IoT Additional Discussion 29

Control 08. Audit Log Management............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31

IoT Applicability 31
IoT Challenges 31
IoT Additional Discussion 32

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide  Page ii

 Control 09. Email and Web Browser Protections.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
IoT Applicability 34
IoT Challenges 34
IoT Additional Discussion 34

Control 10. Malware Defenses............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 36

IoT Applicability 36
IoT Challenges 36
IoT Additional Discussion 36

Control 11. Data Recovery........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 39

IoT Applicability 39
IoT Challenges 39
IoT Additional Discussion 39

Control 12. Network Infrastructure Management....................................................................................................................................................................................... 42

IoT Applicability 42
IoT Challenges 42
IoT Additional Discussion 43

Control 13. Network Monitoring and Defense.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 45

IoT Applicability 45
IoT Challenges 45
IoT Additional Discussion 46

Control 14. Security Awareness and Skills Training................................................................................................................................................................................. 48

IoT Applicability 48
IoT Challenges 48
IoT Additional Discussion 48

Control 15. Service Provider Management.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 51

IoT Applicability 51
IoT Challenges 51
IoT Additional Discussion 51

Control 16. Application Software Security........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53

IoT Applicability 53
IoT Challenges 53
IoT Additional Discussion 54

Control 17. Incident Response Management.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57

IoT Applicability 57
IoT Challenges 57
IoT Additional Discussion 58

Control 18. Penetration Testing......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60

IoT Applicability 60
IoT Challenges 60
IoT Additional Discussion 61

Appendix A Acronyms and Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. A1

Appendix B Links and Resources...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... B1

Appendix C Closing Notes.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... C1

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide  Page iii

Introduction
The CIS Critical Security Controls® (CIS Controls®) are a prioritized
set of actions that collectively form a defense-in-depth approach and
best practices that mitigate the most common attacks against systems
and networks. The CIS Controls are developed by a community
of information technology (IT) experts who apply their first-hand
experience as cyber defenders to create these globally accepted
security best practices. The experts who develop the CIS Controls
come from a wide range of sectors, including retail, manufacturing,
healthcare, transportation, education, government, defense, and
others. While the CIS Controls address the general practices that most
enterprises should take to secure their systems, some operational
environments may present unique requirements not addressed by the
CIS Controls.

The purpose of the CIS Controls Internet of Things Community is

to develop best practices and guidance for implementing the CIS
Controls in association with a variety of devices within the Internet
of Things (IoT). Enterprise use of IoT presents unique and complex
challenges for security professionals. IoT devices are being embedded
into the enterprise across the globe and often cannot be secured via
standard enterprise security methods, such as running a monitoring
application on the device, as the devices can’t support these types
of applications. Yet for ease of use, enterprise IoT devices are often
connected to the same networks that employees use day in and day
out, and are often directly connected to the internet via a variety of
network protocols (e.g., Ethernet, Bluetooth, wireless fidelity [Wi-
Fi], cellular).

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Introduction Page 1

Definition of Internet of Things
There is no universally agreed upon definition for IoT. The variety
of perspectives from industry, academia, governments, and others
across the world have led to different definitions, each focused on the
needs of their sector, business, or area of interest. Each definition has
relevant strengths and weaknesses, and they do not act to invalidate
each other. Instead these definitions work within their desired context,
and others may choose to use and apply them as they see fit for the
systems that will be procured and implemented.

• In The Internet of Things: An Overview, a 2015 report from The

Internet Society, IoT is defined as: “…scenarios where network
connectivity and computing capability extends to objects, sensors,
and everyday items not normally considered computers, allowing
these devices to generate, exchange, and consume data with
minimal human intervention.”
• A 2015 report from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers Incorporated (IEEE), titled Towards a Definition of
the Internet of Things, defines IoT as “A network of items—each
embedded with sensors—which are connected to the Internet.”
• IoT has been defined within a recommendation from the
International Telecommunication Union as “a global infrastructure
for the information society, enabling advanced services by
interconnecting (physical and virtual) things based on existing and
evolving interoperable information and communication technologies.”
• Gartner’s IT Glossary defines IoT as “the network of physical objects
that contain embedded technology to communicate and sense or
interact with their internal states or the external environment.”

Regardless of which definition an enterprise chooses to use, there are

certain common features:

• Communications – Whether this is via a local medium, such as

radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or via a wide
area network (WAN) protocol, such as cellular, IoT devices can
communicate with other devices.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Definition of Internet of Things Page 2
 • Functionality – IoT devices have a core function as well as some
additional functionality but they do not do everything. Most IoT
devices do one thing and do it well.
• Processing capability – IoT devices have sufficient processing
capability to make their own decisions and act on inputs received
from outside sources, but not enough intelligence to do complex
tasks. For instance, they generally cannot run a rich operating
system designed for a traditional desktop or mobile device.

The lack of a consistent, agreed-upon definition is actually part of

the challenge within the IoT arena. IoT is a large, complex space and
common issues include:

• Ubiquity – There are a large number of overall devices.

• Diversity – Devices are developed by different manufacturers with

varying version numbers of hardware, firmware, and software.
• Ecosystem – Multiple vendors are involved in creating each device,
including hardware, firmware, and software.
• Standardization – There are minimal agreed upon standards for
securing access and communications for these devices

Examples of IoT devices that might be included within an enterprise

include: speakers, security cameras, door locks, window sensors,
thermostats, headsets, watches, power strips, and more—basically any
device that may be integrated into a typical business IT environment.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Definition of Internet of Things Page 3
Methodology
A consistent approach is needed for analyzing the CIS Controls
in the context of IoT. For each of the 18 CIS Controls, the following
information is provided in this document:

• Applicability – This assesses the degree to which a CIS Control

functions or pertains to IoT.
• Challenges – These are unique issues that make implementing
any of the relevant CIS Controls, or associated Safeguards, for IoT
devices difficult.
• Additional Discussion – A general guidance area to include
relevant tools, products, or threat information that could be of use
can be found here.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Methodology Page 4

Scope
The objective of this guide is to have broad applicability across
sectors. IoT affects all areas of computing across multiple sectors,
such as healthcare, aviation, public safety, and energy. This has
led to sector-specific IoT security guidance, but this document
is purposefully sector-agnostic. As such, this guide focuses on
purchasing, deploying, and monitoring commercially available IoT
devices. It does not provide guidance on how to design, develop,
and manufacture secure IoT devices, such as the secure system
development process noted within National Institute of Standards and
Technology(NIST®) Special Publication (SP) 800-160 Revision 1.

Note that the CIS Implementation Groups (IGs) are a guideline to help
enterprises determine a starting point for implementation of the CIS
Controls. This guide does not re-group the Safeguards for IoT, and
instead maintains the same prioritization used in the CIS Controls.
Enterprises will, at times, find the need to implement CIS Safeguards
in a higher IG. When integrating new technology into an environment,
such as IoT, an enterprise should fully consider, and assess the security
risks and impacts to assets and data; that understanding should drive
the selection and implementation of appropriate CIS Safeguards
regardless of IG.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Scope Page 5

Terminology
As noted earlier, there are many definitions of IoT. Below are basic
descriptions of IoT components and terminology that we use
throughout this guide. Devices are the things within IoT and are the
primary focus of this guide. Gateways are devices that multiple things
connect to in order to receive instructions, transfer data, etc. Multiple
devices are often connected to a single gateway, or a gateway may
passively monitor IoT devices. A gateway has an internet connection,
whereas not all IoT devices will, and may only support local wireless
protocols such as RFID, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee; or may be used
over wide area networks such as LoraWAN.

Gateways, and other types of edge IoT devices often transition from
a constrained set of devices and protocols to a less constrained
environment. Gateways are one way to help reduce the attack surface
of legacy IoT devices that cannot be properly secured. Many consumer
IoT devices are associated with complex cloud platforms that can
control the behavior of IoT devices and access and store data.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Terminology Page 6

Applicability Overview
More than CONTROL CIS CONTROL TITLE APPLICABILITY
60% of CIS
Safeguards apply 1 Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets
Between 1% 2 Inventory and Control of Software Assets
and 60% of CIS
Safeguards apply 3 Data Protection
0% of CIS 4 Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets
Safeguards apply and Software

5 Account Management

6 Access Control Management

7 Continuous Vulnerability Management

8 Audit Log Management

9 Email and Web Browser Protections

10 Malware Defenses

11 Data Recovery

12 Network Infrastructure Management

13 Network Monitoring and Defense

14 Security Awareness and Skills Training

15 Service Provider Management

16 Application Software Security

17 Incident Response Management

18 Penetration Testing

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Applicability Overview Page 7

 01 Inventory and Control of
CONTROL

Enterprise Assets

Overview Actively manage (inventory, track, and correct) all enterprise assets
(end-user devices, including portable and mobile; network devices;
non-computing/Internet of Things (IoT) devices; and servers)
connected to the infrastructure, physically, virtually, remotely, and
those within cloud environments, to accurately know the totality
of assets that need to be monitored and protected within the
enterprise. This will also support identifying unauthorized and
unmanaged assets to remove or remediate.

IoT Applicability

It is important to track which devices have access to the network

and are accessing data and enterprise resources. IoT devices are
no different and this Control is considered extremely important.
Traditional media access control (MAC) and internet protocol (IP)
addresses can be used for device identifiers. Unfortunately, not all
IoT devices will have these identifiers present (e.g., MAC address, IP
address). For instance, while Zigbee devices support a physical layer
MAC address, they use a Zigbee network address in lieu of an IP
address. Very simple sensors and devices used for location tracking
may only beacon identifiers for RFID. When using devices that do not
support network-based authentication, network segmentation can be
considered as a possible way to mitigate risk.

IoT Challenges

Enterprises must deploy technology that tracks the myriad of IoT

devices which can be deployed across their enterprise. Understanding
the device types and, in some cases, which specific devices are
authorized to connect to the network is the starting point to adapting
this Control for IoT. To the extent practical, this Control should be
limited to enterprise assets and assets that connect to the enterprise
network. For devices without traditional identifiers, physical tags
can be placed onto the devices themselves that integrate with asset

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 01: Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets Page 8
 management systems. In order to preserve privacy, these tags should
not identify the organization. For some IoT devices with an externally
accessible physical interface, cellular devices may be inserted
into the device to allow it to be included in a cloud-based asset
management system.

Some IoT devices are designed to work in relative isolation and never
connect to an enterprise network. These devices still may be network-
connected though, as they can communicate with a back-end cloud
platform that the enterprise neither controls nor manages. Wireless IoT
gateways can also be used to monitor wireless traffic from IoT devices.
This information can then be relayed to an asset management system,
either in the cloud or physically hosted at the enterprise. Another
challenge is using digital certificates in IoT devices. Finally, Global
Positioning System (GPS) can also be an effective way to monitor the
location of IoT devices distributed outside the enterprise.

IoT Additional Discussion

Typical asset tracking tools may not work out of the box with IoT
devices. Network scans for legacy and non-traditional devices may be
dangerous to device, network, and system stability, potentially leaving
IoT endpoints in an error state. Before purchasing devices and using
them within an enterprise, it is worthwhile to understand how a device
will respond to an asset discovery tool, and how well it will integrate
with any asset management tools being utilized by an enterprise.
The conventional approach of using ping responses, transmission
control protocol synchronization (TCP SYN) or acknowledge (ACK)
scans can disrupt communications or, in some cases, even impact
device operations. Passive methods are preferred and are less likely to
impact system availability or interact with vendor systems in a manner
that could cause warranty issues. Where practical, non-intrusive
methods should be leveraged, including media access control-address
resolution protocol (MAC-ARP) tables, domain name system (DNS),
active directory (AD), or a variety of IoT-specific tools employed to
control and collect data in these systems for the express purpose of
locating the variety of connected assets.

Wireless monitoring may be necessary to identify devices, as many

IoT devices lack wired physical connections. Many newer IoT devices
support integration into IoT management systems via application
programming interfaces (APIs). At the very least, enterprises can

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 01: Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets Page 9
 create a listing of device MAC address, device type, serial number,
and other relevant information. “Smarter” IoT devices can utilize digital
certificates to enhance identity and access management.

CIS Control 1: Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets

SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER CONTROL TITLE ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

1.1 Establish and Maintain Detailed Hardware inventories are important

Enterprise Asset Inventory
Devices -Identify- • • • Yes
for any device accessing the
Establish and maintain an accurate, detailed, and up-to-date inventory of all enterprise enterprise network, and IoT devices
assets with the potential to store or process data, to include: end-user devices should be included in this inventory.
(including portable and mobile), network devices, non-computing/IoT devices, and Alongside the information listed in
servers. Ensure the inventory records the network address (if static), hardware address, the text of the Safeguard, any other
machine name, data asset owner, department for each asset, and whether the asset information physically attached
has been approved to connect to the network. For mobile end-user devices, MDM to the hardware may need to be
type tools can support this process, where appropriate. This inventory includes tracked, such as HomeKit information,
assets connected to the infrastructure physically, virtually, remotely, and those within connection methodology, and
cloud environments. Additionally, it includes assets that are regularly connected to the gateway type.
enterprise’s network infrastructure, even if they are not under control of the enterprise.
Review and update the inventory of all enterprise assets bi-annually, or more frequently.
1.2 Address Unauthorized Assets Devices -Respond- • • • Yes Unknown IoT devices and gateways
Ensure that a process exists to address unauthorized assets on a weekly basis. The connected to enterprise networks
enterprise may choose to remove the asset from the network, deny the asset from and systems should be quickly
connecting remotely to the network, or quarantine the asset. investigated and removed.

1.3 Utilize an Active Discovery Tool Devices -Detect- • • Yes Active discovery tools should be
Utilize an active discovery tool to identify assets connected to the enterprise’s network. implemented to identify IoT devices,
Configure the active discovery tool to execute daily, or more frequently. although some types of scans could
leave devices in a nonfunctional
state or affect essential IoT device
communications. The types of scans
run against high-value or critical
IoT assets should be contemplated
before they are run, with the expected
outcomes identified beforehand.
Testing can occur before putting the
device into the network.
1.4 Use Dynamic Host This Safeguard should be applicable
Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to IoT devices using Internet Protocol
Logging to Update Enterprise
Devices -Identify- • • Yes
version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol
Asset Inventory version 6 (IPv6). Although possible,
Use DHCP logging on all DHCP servers or Internet Protocol (IP) address management it is not considered an industry-
tools to update the enterprise’s asset inventory. Review and use logs to update the accepted method of tracking IoT
enterprise’s asset inventory weekly, or more frequently. device inventory and should not be
the primary method in which IoT
devices are tracked.
1.5 Use a Passive Asset Discovery A passive asset discovery tool may
Tool
Devices -Detect- • No
not identify all IoT devices, yet can be
Use a passive discovery tool to identify assets connected to the enterprise’s network. a solid step forward to understanding
Review and use scans to update the enterprise’s asset inventory at least weekly, or the devices on the network.
more frequently.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 01: Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets Page 10
 02 Inventory and Control of
CONTROL

Software Assets

Overview Actively manage (inventory, track, and correct) all software

(operating systems and applications) on the network so that
only authorized software is installed and can execute, and that
unauthorized and unmanaged software is found and prevented from
installation or execution.

IoT Applicability

Network scanning and agent-based approaches are typical methods

for software asset management. As mentioned in CIS Control 1,
network scanning can leave many IoT devices in an unsafe or
unusable state. Agent-based approaches will be ineffectual for IoT
devices as there is not a common platform for the agent to be installed
on the device. Manual and procedural methods can be used for asset
tracking (for example, a spreadsheet).

IoT Challenges

Identifying the versions of firmware of IoT devices within the enterprise

is a challenge. It may be possible to leverage central command
and control systems, which are aware of device firmware versions.
However, custom and restricted operating systems may limit remote
query capability. In general, IoT device firmware is not patchable, but
it is loaded onto the device as a new complete image. To obtain the
listing of firmware applications on an embedded device, it may be
necessary to work with the device developer/manufacturer. Manual
sampling or firmware extraction via on-board direct maintenance ports
(e.g., joint test action group [JTAG]) using proprietary software and
hardware tools may be required.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 02: Inventory and Control of Software Assets Page 11
IoT Additional Discussion

In many cases, firmware must be delivered over the network to IoT

devices. This often includes verifying digital signatures as part of the
installation of firmware. To the extent practical, utilize best practices
for securing firmware images, which often includes applying digital
signatures that are evaluated by the device before loading. The user
or the device may check the firmware signature. This may require
a secured space within the device to store credentials used for
signature validation. Understanding the firmware update procedure
before purchasing the device is best practice in these situations, since
firmware can’t be changed after the fact.

Tracking versions of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in devices can be quite

difficult and may not be possible using traditional scanning methods.
Applications like Airodump-ng for Wi-Fi devices and hcitool or
ubertooth-scan for Bluetooth devices will provide broadcast
advertisements and MAC addresses. Note that for Bluetooth
devices, MAC addresses do not conform to typical conventions
and are oftentimes represented as the device Wi-Fi MAC address
incremented by 1 bit. The information available from Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth advertisements will allow enterprises to identify which
versions of wireless protocols are supported. Allowlisting is generally
not available on IoT devices. Allowlisting can occur at the application
layer, or specific libraries or scripts can be allowlisted. A more common
capability is for devices to perform command allowlisting, which only
specifies a subset of commands that a device would accept. This will
more likely be available with IoT vendors that engage within a security
engineering process over the life cycle of the product.

CIS Control 2: Inventory and Control of Software Assets

SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER CONTROL TITLE ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

2.1 Establish and Maintain a • • • At minimum, a listing of the

Applications -Identify- Yes
Software Inventory firmware versions associated
Establish and maintain a detailed inventory of all licensed software installed on with the IoT device can be noted.
enterprise assets. The software inventory must document the title, publisher, initial This should include firmware and
install/use date, and business purpose for each entry; where appropriate, include the platform versions.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL), app store(s), version(s), deployment mechanism,
and decommission date. Review and update the software inventory bi-annually, or
more frequently.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 02: Inventory and Control of Software Assets Page 12
CIS Control 2: Inventory and Control of Software Assets
SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER CONTROL TITLE ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

2.2 Ensure Authorized Software Is • • • Enterprises should check the

Applications -Identify- Yes
Currently Supported period of time for which a device
Ensure that only currently supported software is designated as authorized in the will be supported before purchase.
software inventory for enterprise assets. If software is unsupported yet necessary for Additional support may be available
the fulfillment of the enterprise’s mission, document an exception detailing mitigating for purchase, but this is uncommon.
controls and residual risk acceptance. For any unsupported software without an
exception documentation, designate as unauthorized. Review the software list to verify
software support at least monthly, or more frequently.
2.3 Address Unauthorized Software Applications -Respond- • • • No Firmware that is not approved by
the enterprise should be removed.
Ensure that unauthorized software is either removed from use on enterprise assets or Unfortunately, enterprises are often
receives a documented exception. Review monthly, or more frequently. unable to control the software that is
running on an IoT device.
2.4 Utilize Automated Software • • Not all IoT devices will be able to
Applications -Detect- No
Inventory Tools integrate or be inventoried by an
Utilize software inventory tools, when possible, throughout the enterprise to automate automated tool, but those that have
the discovery and documentation of installed software. this capability should use it.

2.5 Allowlist Authorized Software Applications -Protect- • • No This capability is unavailable on most
IoT devices, many of which will lack
Use technical controls, such as application allowlisting, to ensure that only authorized the processing power or security
software can execute or be accessed. Reassess bi-annually, or more frequently. architecture to perform allowlisting.

2.6 Allowlist Authorized Libraries Applications -Protect- • • No Allowlisting individual libraries is

typically not available on IoT devices.
Use technical controls to ensure that only authorized software libraries, such as specific
.dll, .ocx, .so, etc. files, are allowed to load into a system process. Block unauthorized
libraries from loading into a system process. Reassess bi-annually, or more frequently.
2.7 Allowlist Authorized Scripts Applications -Protect- • No Allowlisting individual scripts is
typically not available on IoT devices.
Use technical controls, such as digital signatures and version control, to ensure that
only authorized scripts, such as specific .ps1, .py, etc., files are allowed to execute. Block
unauthorized scripts from executing. Reassess bi-annually, or more frequently.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 02: Inventory and Control of Software Assets Page 13
 03 Data
CONTROL

Protection

Overview Develop processes and technical controls to identify, classify,

securely handle, retain, and dispose of data.

IoT Applicability

Protecting the security of data being stored, transmitted, and

manipulated on IoT devices can be critical depending on use case
or sector. Certain industries may not contain any sensitive data in
the traditional sense. In other instances, certain IoT devices will be
dedicated to environments that have an informal set of standards
and norms, or their usage may be directly regulated (e.g., Payment
Card Industry Data Security Standard [PCI DSS], Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA], General Data Protection
Regulation [GDPR]). The level of data protection needed is often
specific to the use case at hand, depending on factors such as data
sensitivity and likelihood of exposure.

Some IoT devices will process and transmit complex enterprise or

customer information in modern formats, whereas other devices will
read and transmit physical attributes such as temperature or pressure.
This latter information is sometimes not deemed to be especially
sensitive or proprietary on its own, though it may become more
sensitive when coupled with other data points, such as location or
identifiers used for people. In some cases, these “simple” IoT use cases
can be absent of any particular protections in the way it is collected,
transferred, stored, and analyzed.

IoT Challenges

Detecting and preventing the flow of data out of IoT devices is a

difficult task, as is preventing unauthorized disclosure. IoT devices
will often have a diverse supply chain, utilizing numerous hardware
manufacturers, all of which will leverage cloud platforms. This makes
data protection quite difficult for the menagerie of IoT devices in

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 03: Data Protection Page 14
 use. If possible, data-in-transit security, through protocols such as
compact Transport Layer Security (cTLS), should be implemented
to guard against eavesdropping on data flowing between IoT and
other enterprise components. Although IPsec would be an excellent
alternative, it’s unlikely to be supported on an IoT device. This is
difficult as most IoT devices will ship with a set of security protocols
that are supported which may never change over the life time of
the device.

Protections must also be implemented for the data stored on any cloud
platform or the device itself, including integrated memory or removable
storage media. This is another area typically outside of enterprise
control and may need to be screened for pre-purchase. The same can
be said for any IoT device’s ability to manage cryptographic keys. This
is further addressed in Control 15: Service Provider Management.

IoT Additional Discussion

Legacy or low-end IoT devices often do not encrypt data in transit

or in storage. Typically, IoT traffic is perishable, near real-time, of
limited historical value, and tolerant of loss. Sophisticated attacks
looking to manipulate data often require deep system knowledge
and serious mission benefit to justify the cost of technique and
exploit development. In cases where actual threats or observed
threat intelligence indicates the need, methods such as multi-path
redundancy, cross-sensor correlation, or a custom in-line device may
be put into place. Many IoT devices will attempt to store data in the
cloud by default without enterprise approval. This may also include
storing data on any mobile devices used to control a device. This
makes data protection hard, as enterprises may not have visibility into
what information is being transmitted.

Traditional enterprise data loss prevention (DLP) systems can

be helpful for email and network stored data. It is important to
perform methodical threat modeling for every new IoT system being
implemented. Consider the value of data when determining whether
encryption should be applied to protect that data. In some instances,
the need to support near real-time communications outweighs
the need to apply an encryption layer to the data. The output of
a threat analysis will provide the foundation for an effective data
protection strategy.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 03: Data Protection Page 15
CIS Control 3: Data Protection
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

3.1 Establish and Maintain a Data The elements of the data

Management Process
Data -Identify- • • • Yes
management process mentioned in
Establish and maintain a data management process. In the process, address this Safeguard description can all
data sensitivity, data owner, handling of data, data retention limits, and disposal apply to IoT. It’s possible that these
requirements, based on sensitivity and retention standards for the enterprise. Review can be addressed as a subcomponent
and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that of an IoT Security Policy, or
could impact this Safeguard. possibly addressed as part of Data
Management.
3.2 Establish and Maintain a Data Sensitive information on IoT
Inventory
Data -Identify- • • • Yes
and associated management
Establish and maintain a data inventory, based on the enterprise’s data management platforms should be understood
process. Inventory sensitive data, at a minimum. Review and update inventory annually, and inventoried. This Includes data
at a minimum, with a priority on sensitive data. passing through the system and data
recorded by various onboard sensors.
3.3 Configure Data Access Control IT administrators may be able
Lists
Data -Protect- • • • Yes
to control access and lifetime
Configure data access control lists based on a user’s need to know. Apply data access of accounts via administrative
control lists, also known as access permissions, to local and remote file systems, consoles if an IoT device’s
databases, and applications. manufacturer provides an app or
other management interface. If this
is supported, access should be
controlled.
3.4 Enforce Data Retention Data -Protect- • • • Yes IT administrators may be able
Retain data according to the enterprise’s data management process. Data retention to control access and lifetime of
must include both minimum and maximum timelines. accounts via administrative consoles.
This will depend on the device
and platform.
3.5 Securely Dispose of Data Data -Protect- • • • Yes This can be difficult for IoT devices
Securely dispose of data as outlined in the enterprise’s data management process. that require access to specific cloud
Ensure the disposal process and method are commensurate with the data sensitivity. platforms. Not all devices will provide
the ability to delete the data stored on
the device. Device destruction may
be necessary.
3.6 Encrypt Data on End-User IoT devices are typically not
Devices
Devices -Protect- • • • No
considered end-user devices. With
Encrypt data on end-user devices containing sensitive data. Example implementations that said, corporate sensitive data
can include, Windows BitLocker®, Apple FileVault®, Linux® dm-crypt. including hours of operation or
access, information collected via
sensors or cameras may be stored
and are likely worth protecting.
Object Security of Constrained
Application Protocol (OSCOAP)
may be a useful solution in the
near future.1
3.7 Establish and Maintain a Data Data classification decisions
Classification Scheme
Data -Identify- • • Yes
should be explicitly made for
Establish and maintain an overall data classification scheme for the enterprise. IoT data, to include data stored
Enterprises may use labels, such as “Sensitive,” “Confidential,” and “Public,” and on, or downloaded from, their
classify their data according to those labels. Review and update the classification management platforms.
scheme annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact
this Safeguard.

https://tools.ietf.org/id/draft-ietf-core-object-security-04.html
1

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 03: Data Protection Page 16
CIS Control 3: Data Protection
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

3.8 Document Data Flows Data -Identify- • • Yes The enterprise should understand
Document data flows. Data flow documentation includes service provider data flows how sensitive data is transferred
and should be based on the enterprise’s data management process. Review and update to and from IoT devices, apps, and
documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could cloud-based platforms.
impact this Safeguard.
3.9 Encrypt Data on Removable IoT devices do not commonly
Media
Data -Protect- • • Yes
utilize USB storage; however, other
Encrypt data on removable media. removable storage media (such as
SD cards) might be used to store
video files, telemetry, or even the
operating system of the IoT device.
Based on the sensitivity of stored
data, encryption should be used to
mitigate risks related to data theft
and disclosure.
3.10 Encrypt Sensitive Data in This is an important Safeguard for
Transit
Data -Protect- • • Yes
IoT devices, but enterprises will need
Encrypt sensitive data in transit. Example implementations can include, Transport Layer to verify if this capability is available
Security (TLS) and Open Secure Shell (OpenSSH). for the specific device before
device purchase.
3.11 Encrypt Sensitive Data at Rest Data -Protect- • • Yes This is an important Safeguard for
Encrypt sensitive data at rest on servers, applications, and databases containing IoT devices, but enterprises will need
sensitive data. Storage-layer encryption, also known as server-side encryption, meets to verify if this capability is available
the minimum requirement of this Safeguard. Additional encryption methods may for the specific device, and within the
include application-layer encryption, also known as client-side encryption, where device management platform, before
access to the data storage device(s) does not permit access to the plain-text data. device purchase.

3.12 Segment Data Processing and The use of network segmentation

Storage Based on Sensitivity
Network -Protect- • • Yes
strategies is strongly recommended
Segment data processing and storage, based on the sensitivity of the data. Do not to keep IoT components operating
process sensitive data on enterprise assets intended for lower sensitivity data. in their own zones or on their own
separate networks. This concept
applies to this Safeguard as well.
IoT data processing and storage will
typically not be a highly sensitive
computing activity and should be
kept separate. Deliberate decisions
should be made as to where and how
IoT gateways should be segmented.
3.13 Deploy a Data Loss Prevention Traditional enterprise Data Loss
Solution
Data -Protect- • No
Prevention (DLP) can be helpful for
Implement an automated tool, such as a host-based Data Loss Prevention (DLP) email and network stored data, but
tool to identify all sensitive data stored, processed, or transmitted through enterprise cloud applications and data may be
assets, including those located onsite or at a remote service provider, and update the more difficult to get visibility from IoT
enterprise’s sensitive data inventory. devices. There are tools that leverage
cloud service APIs to gain this
visibility, or filtering clouds that proxy
IoT services.
3.14 Log Sensitive Data Access Data -Detect- • Yes IoT devices themselves are likely
Log sensitive data access, including modification and disposal. going to be unable to log sensitive
data access within their own system,
but enterprises can log which
systems and datastores an IoT
device accesses.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 03: Data Protection Page 17
 04 Secure Configuration of
CONTROL

Enterprise Assets and Software

Overview Establish and maintain the secure configuration of enterprise assets

(end-user devices, including portable and mobile; network devices;
non-computing/IoT devices; and servers) and software (operating
systems and applications).

IoT Applicability

A majority of the time, resource constrained IoT devices lack the

configuration and customization options provided by laptops or even
mobile devices. These configuration and customization options are
essential to device hardening and secure configuration. Yet some
IoT devices can still be hardened in a limited fashion. This is true
even of embedded IoT devices. A common example is changing
default passwords. End users should familiarize themselves with
the developers’ or manufacturers’ documentation in order to take
advantage of other available resources (e.g., academic papers,
conference proceedings) to understand what configuration options
are available and whether a device can be sufficiently configured to
meet your needs.

IoT Challenges

A device or application’s configuration may drift over time, even if

efforts are made to properly configure the device before or during
deployment. This could be due to firmware updates, factory resets,
or potentially even software errors. Some IoT device configurations,
especially for consumer or typical enterprise use, are solely available
within a corresponding mobile application. Users will need to first
connect the device to the application before configuration is an
option. Although this can make device configuration, monitoring, and
maintenance easier, it also expands the overall attack surface of the
device as now the mobile device (and mobile application) must also
be secured.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 04: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software Page 18
 Undocumented APIs, service provider, and developer backdoors
may offer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and potentially
malicious parties’ access to the device, and subsequently consumer
or enterprise information. For instance, many IoT devices run a
web server with network troubleshooting tools installed (e.g.,
ping, nslookup) that can be used to profile any internal or external
network to which the IoT device is connected. Monitoring what
network services an IoT device responds to is necessary as these
devices should not be considered trusted until after extensive vetting
has occurred.

IoT Additional Discussion

IoT devices sold and marketed as “appliances” with integrated

software generally contain proprietary firmware components, limiting
applicability of post-development hardening. When configuration
options are available, cybersecurity professionals should review
and decide if any particular configurations are untenable for your
organization. Additionally, if a certain configuration setting is required
to assure the security of the component on the network, then that
should also be documented. Cybersecurity professionals should
baseline these configurations and keep them documented as best
practices. This information can be helpful as requirements when
selecting future devices.

A subset of IoT devices support real-time operating systems (RTOSs)

that allow for some amount of persistent storage. Oftentimes, this
persistence comes in the form of startup scripts that can be modified
to affect the configuration of the device at boot time. It is worthwhile
to take the time to research if these configurations are written in a
secure manner. When IoT devices support access control via user
or administrator accounts and passwords, default accounts and
passwords should be changed in accordance with modern guidelines.
If available, multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be used to
protect administrator accounts.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 04: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software Page 19
CIS Control 4: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

4.1 Establish and Maintain a Secure Secure configurations generally

Configuration Process
Applications -Protect- • • • Y
cannot be established in the same
Establish and maintain a secure configuration process for enterprise assets (end- manner as traditional operating
user devices, including portable and mobile; non-computing/IoT devices; and systems or applications. With
servers) and software (operating systems and applications). Review and update that said, there may be certain
documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could configuration options available such
impact this Safeguard. as changing a default password or
ensuring MFA is used to access any
management functions.
4.2 Establish and Maintain a Secure IoT devices may need hubs or
Configuration Process for Network -Protect- • • • N gateways to function. These devices
Network Infrastructure are often treated like IoT devices
Establish and maintain a secure configuration process for network devices. Review themselves. Managing network
and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that infrastructure is out of scope for this
could impact this Safeguard. IoT-based guide.

4.3 Configure Automatic Session This is not applicable to IoT devices

Locking on Enterprise Assets
Users -Protect- • • • N
as they are often headless.
Configure automatic session locking on enterprise assets after a defined period of
inactivity. For general purpose operating systems, the period must not exceed 15
minutes. For mobile end-user devices, the period must not exceed 2 minutes.
4.4 Implement and Manage a There are no IoT considerations
Firewall on Servers
Devices -Protect- • • • N
for this Safeguard if MUD is not in
Implement and manage a firewall on servers, where supported. Example use. Enterprises leveraging MUD
implementations include a virtual firewall, operating system firewall, or a third-party will need to ensure MUD logic is
firewall agent. properly set up and configured within
network devices.
4.5 Implement and Manage a IoT devices do not typically contain an
Firewall on End-User Devices
Devices -Protect- • • • N
on-device firewall. Devices leveraging
Implement and manage a host-based firewall or port-filtering tool on end-user devices, MUD will need to ensure MUD logic
with a default-deny rule that drops all traffic except those services and ports that are is properly set up and configured on
explicitly allowed. each IoT device in question.
Software development teams
4.6 Securely Manage Enterprise
Assets and Software
Network -Protect- • • • Y designing IoT devices and
infrastructure should use modern,
Securely manage enterprise assets and software. Example implementations include secure management protocols.
managing configuration through version-controlled-infrastructure-as-code and Research should be done beforehand
accessing administrative interfaces over secure network protocols, such as Secure to make sure IoT devices use secure
Shell (SSH) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). Do not use insecure communication protocols before
management protocols, such as Telnet (Teletype Network) and HTTP, unless purchase, such as dTLS, cTLS,
operationally essential. EDHOC, and OSCOAP.
4.7 Manage Default Accounts on This level of interaction is often not
Enterprise Assets and Software
Users -Protect- • • • N
exposed on an IoT device. However,
Manage default accounts on enterprise assets and software, such as root, this should be established and
administrator, and other pre-configured vendor accounts. Example implementations appropriate management processes
can include, disabling default accounts or making them unusable. implemented where this level of
access is available.
4.8 Uninstall or Disable IoT devices typically do not offer
Unnecessary Services this level of feature granularity to IT
on Enterprise Assets and
Devices -Protect- • • N
administrators.
Applications
Uninstall or disable unnecessary services on enterprise assets and software, such as an
unused file sharing service, web application module, or service function.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 04: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software Page 20
CIS Control 4: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

4.9 Configure Trusted DNS Servers This is a network-level mitigation, out

on Enterprise Assets
Devices -Protect- • • N
of scope for IoT.
Configure trusted DNS servers on enterprise assets. Example implementations include,
configuring assets to use enterprise-controlled DNS servers and/or reputable externally
accessible DNS servers. 
4.10 Enforce Automatic Device IoT devices often will not have
Lockout on Portable End-User Devices -Respond- • • N this feature available as they are
Devices often headless.
Enforce automatic device lockout following a predetermined threshold of local failed
authentication attempts on portable end-user devices, where supported. For laptops,
do not allow more than 20 failed authentication attempts; for tablets and smartphones,
no more than 10 failed authentication attempts. Example implementations include
Microsoft® InTune Device Lock and Apple® Configuration Profile maxFailedAttempts.
4.11 Enforce Remote Wipe Capability If remote wipe is a necessary
on Portable End-User Devices
Devices -Protect- • • N
capability needed for the enterprise,
Remotely wipe enterprise data from enterprise-owned portable end-user devices when this feature needs to be verified
deemed appropriate such as lost or stolen devices, or when an individual no longer before purchasing. Some IoT
supports the enterprise. devices that support EMM / MDM
allow for remote wipe. It is not a
common feature.
4.12 Separate Enterprise This is not applicable to IoT devices.
Workspaces on Mobile End-User Devices -Protect- • N
Devices
Ensure separate enterprise workspaces are used on mobile end-user devices, where
supported. Example implementations include using an Apple® Configuration Profile
or Android™ Work Profile to separate enterprise applications and data from personal
applications and data.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 04: Secure Configuration of Enterprise Assets and Software Page 21
 05 Account
CONTROL

Management

Overview Use processes and tools to assign and manage authorization to

credentials for user accounts, including administrator accounts, as
well as service accounts, to enterprise assets and software.

IoT Applicability

IoT devices will have a series of accounts already created and in use
when the device is purchased and shipped. Account management is
applicable to the mobile applications, devices, and cloud platforms
all used for IoT. Additionally, enterprises and potentially individual
users may also create new accounts. All of these accounts need to be
actively managed. It is uncommon for IoT devices to feature dedicated
administrative accounts that are separate from user accounts, for
managing IoT devices. In some situations, especially with enterprise or
consumer-grade IoT devices, control or pseudo-administrative access
can be obtained through management applications on mobile devices.

IoT Challenges

When evaluating IoT components for use in the enterprise, investigate

the supported features associated with administrative accounts. This
should include the type of authentication credentials and protocols
supported by the device and its associated ecosystem. This will
most likely include passwords and the strength of the authentication
implementation. For administrator accounts, attempt to ensure that
at a minimum, strong password requirements are used, and account
access is audited. In addition, when feasible, attach the IoT component
to a directory, allowing for the use of domain administrator accounts
when needed. This will allow for the ability to more easily restrict the
use of administrative privileges.

Administrators should be extremely careful when first working with

a completely unmanaged device. Some IoT devices are beginning
to support some form of Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 05: Account Management Page 22
 or Unified Endpoint Management (UEM). These technologies allow
specific policies and configurations to be sent to an IoT device. General
administrative activities can also be performed, such as restarts and
diagnosing problems. Administrative accounts can be set up for each
device, with credentials managed through that technology portal.

IoT Additional Discussion

Many IoT devices are deployed in insecure areas (e.g., roadside units,
or RSUs, in the transportation sector). These devices are sometimes
deployed with shared accounts that are used by technicians to
manage the devices. Consider alternative methods for restricting
administrative access to these types of devices. For legacy devices
without privileged access capability, a compensating control may need
to be applied, such as additional physical security. Newly designed IoT
devices and subsystems should integrate use of this Control.

Attackers may attempt to obtain administrator rights to IoT devices

via operating system (OS) or firmware level vulnerabilities so they can
hide themselves from the user. This entire Control is difficult to enforce
on a rooted device that has its security architecture broken. Although
this security architecture bypass may provide a user with root
access, they often have default administrator credentials that do not
frequently change. Furthermore, if an administrator is able to change
their password, it is recommended they comply with the password
recommendations set forth by National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) SP 800-63-3. This means that in most situations,
memorized secrets (i.e., passwords) chosen by a subscriber (i.e.,
human) should be at least eight characters long. To the extent practical
in IoT, multi-factor authentication (MFA) should always be used. With
that said, the overall goal would be to implement authentication
solutions that prevent credential theft. This more abstract goal
supports PKI, WebAuthn, and MFA solutions that might only be a
password and PIN, which is not preferable to the first two options.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 05: Account Management Page 23
CIS Control 5: Account Management
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

5.1 Establish and Maintain an If an IoT management system or UEM

Inventory of Accounts
Users -Identify- • • • Yes
integration is available, which is rare,
Establish and maintain an inventory of all accounts managed in the enterprise. an inventory of the account accessing
The inventory must include both user and administrator accounts. The inventory, that system should be maintained.
at a minimum, should contain the person’s name, username, start/stop dates, and Local administrative accounts are
department. Validate that all active accounts are authorized, on a recurring schedule at often not available to be easily
a minimum quarterly, or more frequently. inventoried within IoT.

5.2 Use Unique Passwords Users -Protect- • • • Yes Administrative accounts for
Use unique passwords for all enterprise assets. Best practice implementation includes, management, and any account
at a minimum, an 8-character password for accounts using MFA and a 14-character used on the device, should use
password for accounts not using MFA. unique passwords.

5.3 Disable Dormant Accounts Users -Respond- • • • Yes In a manner similar to traditional
Delete or disable any dormant accounts after a period of 45 days of inactivity, systems, dormant accounts should be
where supported. disabled after a pre-defined time of
inactivity wherever this is practical.
5.4 Restrict Administrator Administrative accounts for
Privileges to Dedicated Users -Protect- • • • Yes management should have dedicated
Administrator Accounts passwords. Scheduled auditing of
Restrict administrator privileges to dedicated administrator accounts on enterprise administrative accounts should be
assets. Conduct general computing activities, such as internet browsing, email, and regularly performed to assess if
productivity suite use, from the user’s primary, non-privileged, account. admin accounts/privileges are still
required. Unfortunately, this is not
supported on all IoT devices.
5.5 Establish and Maintain an If a management technology such
Inventory of Service Accounts
Users -Identify- • • Yes
as UEM is used, this could obviate
Establish and maintain an inventory of service accounts. The inventory, at a minimum, the need for local administrative
must contain department owner, review date, and purpose. Perform service account accounts. All management accounts
reviews to validate that all active accounts are authorized, on a recurring schedule at a should be inventoried alongside any
minimum quarterly, or more frequently. necessary mobile / cloud applications
needed to make the device function.
5.6 Centralize Account Some IoT management technology
Management
Users -Protect- • • Yes
can integrate with identity service
Centralize account management through a directory or identity service. providers, or may provide their own
identity service. This is difficult to
accomplish on IoT.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 05: Account Management Page 24
 06 Access Management
CONTROL

Control

Overview Use processes and tools to create, assign, manage, and revoke
access credentials and privileges for user, administrator, and service
accounts for enterprise assets and software.

IoT Applicability

IoT devices require access management, but often in a different

manner than traditional user account management. This is due to the
fact that users do not often access an interface, or there is no user
account needed to interact with the device (e.g., “Turn on the lights”).
The Access Management Control is meant to manage how a user
accesses a device all the way through revoking access credentials and
privileges. Thorough implementations of CIS Control 5 and Control
6 involve written policies addressing these areas before devices are
provided to users. Although that’s not always practical for IoT when
devices have already been purchased, set up, and are running on an
enterprise network.

IoT Challenges

It can be challenging to manage accounts on a device with preset

user accounts developed by different vendors. Realistically, it may
not be possible to manage all accounts on a device from all of the
independent companies involved in development. The accounts
may not be properly documented upon receipt of a device, athough
obtaining a thorough inventory of identifiable accounts is important. It
is difficult to identify all root accounts that a developer may use, and
it may be preferable to use devices that can disable all accounts that
the organization has not explicitly approved. Realistically, it will not be
possible to manage all accounts and credentials on an IoT device, yet
best efforts are worth the effort.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 06: Access Management Control Page 25
IoT Additional Discussion

Registering devices within an enterprise directory system such as

Active Directory (AD) or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
(LDAP) may be a valid method for restricting access and for effectively
monitoring who has authenticated to the devices. However, this is only
applicable for those devices that can be configured for AD. Enterprises
should ensure that IoT implementation plans include strategies for
authentication and monitoring the accounts used to access devices.
This data should then be fed back to the Security Information and
Event Management (SIEM) for monitoring and control when IoT
devices are incorporated into the enterprise network. Administrators
should regularly review user accounts on all systems utilized by the
enterprise. Privileges should be adjusted accordingly on a regular
basis with over-privileged users addressed and accounts deactivated
when necessary.

Legacy IoT systems with stand-alone consolidating or command and

control hosts should leverage system tools, augmenting them with
manual recording and audit processes as required, to enable this
Control. Cloud-based applications supported by the enterprise should
be monitored and have their credentials disabled during employee
separation. Enterprise applications should be analyzed and reviewed
for proper authentication techniques. Special attention should be
paid to areas where integration occurs between third-party services
and when identities are federated. Logging should be enabled within
back-end management services to monitor activity, with the logs
regularly reviewed.

CIS Control 6: Access Management Control

SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

6.1 Establish an Access Granting Written policies should exist for

Process
Users -Protect- • • • Yes
onboarding a new IoT. This should
Establish and follow a process, preferably automated, for granting access to enterprise include security requirements
assets upon new hire, rights grant, or role change of a user. reviewed before purchase and rules
for who can manage IoT devices.
6.2 Establish an Access Revoking In addition to typical workstations
Process
Users -Protect- • • • Yes
and servers, administrators should
Establish and follow a process, preferably automated, for revoking access to enterprise define this process specifically for IoT
assets, through disabling accounts immediately upon termination, rights revocation, devices, apps, gateways, and their
or role change of a user. Disabling accounts, instead of deleting accounts, may be management platforms.
necessary to preserve audit trails.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 06: Access Management Control Page 26
CIS Control 6: Access Management Control
SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

6.3 Require MFA for Externally- Where possible, MFA should be

Exposed Applications
Users -Protect- • • • No
performed for IoT cloud-based
Require all externally-exposed enterprise or third-party applications to enforce MFA, applications. Generally, IoT apps are
where supported. Enforcing MFA through a directory service or SSO provider is a not hosted on-premises, and this
satisfactory implementation of this Safeguard. Safeguard is out of scope.

6.4 Require MFA for Remote The scope of this guide primarily
Network Access
Users -Protect- • • • No
focuses on IoT devices used within
Require MFA for remote network access. the enterprise.

6.5 Require MFA for Administrative To the extent practical in IoT, MFA
Access
Users -Protect- • • • Yes
should always be used, although
Require MFA for all administrative access accounts, where supported, on all enterprise this is not always supported on
assets, whether managed on-site or through a third-party provider. IoT. Standards such as the IETF
Authentication and Authorization
for Constrained Environments
offer more robust solutions than
traditional MFA.1
6.6 Establish and Maintain an Although an important Safeguard, IoT
Inventory of Authentication and Users -Identify- • • No specific authentication systems are
Authorization Systems not commonplace.
Establish and maintain an inventory of the enterprise’s authentication and authorization
systems, including those hosted on-site or at a remote service provider. Review and
update the inventory, at a minimum, annually, or more frequently.
6.7 Centralize Access Control Users -Protect- • • No A majority of IoT devices do not
Centralize access control for all enterprise assets through a directory service or SSO allow for a centralized point of
provider, where supported. authentication. For instance,
IoT devices utilizing a cloud
platform will not allow enterprises
to insert themselves into the
authentication process.
6.8 Define and Maintain Role-Based Most IoT devices do not provide role-
Access Control
Data -Protect- • No
based accounts.
Define and maintain role-based access control, through determining and documenting
the access rights necessary for each role within the enterprise to successfully carry
out its assigned duties. Perform access control reviews of enterprise assets to validate
that all privileges are authorized, on a recurring schedule at a minimum annually, or
more frequently.

https://datatracker.ietf.org/wg/ace/documents/
1

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 06: Access Management Control Page 27
 07 Continuous Vulnerability
CONTROL

Management

Overview Develop a plan to continuously assess and track vulnerabilities on

all enterprise assets within the enterprise’s infrastructure, in order to
remediate, and minimize, the window of opportunity for attackers.
Monitor public and private industry sources for new threat and
vulnerability information.

IoT Applicability

While vulnerability management is applicable to IoT devices, it is a

much more difficult challenge when compared to traditional desktops,
servers, or even mobile. Just as with other devices on a network,
regularly scheduled vulnerability assessments should be conducted
to determine non-secure configurations that lead to elevated threats
to the enterprise. These security flaws should be remediated quickly,
and the processes used for remediation should be fed back into the
processes used for deployment of new IoT devices.

IoT Challenges

Active vulnerability assessments of IoT devices in an operational

environment may be dangerous to the health and proper functioning of
the device. Improper vulnerability scans may lead to system instability
or failure. Ideally, how the device will react when scanned is known
by the IT administrator before the scan is initiated. As an alternative,
passive vulnerability assessment can be a less intensive method to
identify vulnerabilities identified without the risk of harming the IoT
device and affecting other network operations. These assessments
can be done manually or with automated tools sold by a third-party
vendor. Although many IoT devices will be deployed internally, and
not directly exposed to the internet, routine scanning for externally
exposed assets is prudent. Tools like Shodan or Censys can detect
externally exposed devices and help administrators either remove or
properly configure them.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 07: Continuous Vulnerability Management Page 28
IoT Additional Discussion

Before putting an IoT device into operation, a process should be

developed for managing IoT device vulnerabilities. This may be a
subset of a larger vulnerability management plan, or dedicated to
IoT. Different approaches may be needed for certain types of IoT
devices, such as those residing outside the enterprise, on-site with
clients, or functioning in a critical infrastructure sector. Topics for
an IoT vulnerability management plan include: patch management,
time to remediate, and disclosing issues with clients. For the subset
of IoT devices that receive security patches from their vendor,
they should be kept up-to-date. Outdated firmware often contains
exploitable vulnerabilities that an attacker could leverage to access
enterprise data.

A laboratory testing environment may be appropriate for regularly

scheduled assessments against new threats and new IoT firmware
configurations. Collaborative threat laboratories (e.g., sponsored by an
Information Sharing & Analysis Center [ISAC] or other industry body)
and IoT vendor laboratories may be the best venues for implementing
this Control. As with other hardware and firmware vulnerabilities, these
new vulnerabilities should also be evaluated against the enterprise’s
risk appetite to determine when a particular device or device class can
no longer be supported on the network, or when it must be isolated.

CIS Control 7: Continuous Vulnerability Management

SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

7.1 Establish and Maintain a Existing vulnerability management

Vulnerability Management Applications -Protect- • • • Yes processes should include IoT devices,
Process and include dedicated portions for
Establish and maintain a documented vulnerability management process for enterprise different IoT use cases.
assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise
changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
7.2 Establish and Maintain a Vulnerability processes for IoT
Remediation Process
Applications -Respond- • • • Yes
devices often involve updating
Establish and maintain a risk-based remediation strategy documented in a remediation firmware from the device
process, with monthly, or more frequent, reviews. manufacturer, and potentially a
cellular radio if applicable. Any
mobile applications used for IoT
device management will also need to
be updated.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 07: Continuous Vulnerability Management Page 29
CIS Control 7: Continuous Vulnerability Management
SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

7.3 Perform Automated Operating Many IoT devices cannot be updated

System Patch Management
Applications -Protect- • • • No
via a centralized tool. If updates are
Perform operating system updates on enterprise assets through automated patch available at all, devices generally
management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis. need to be individually updated. It is
often difficult to separate operating
system level patches from the
application providing the device’s
primary function.
7.4 Perform Automated Application Many IoT devices cannot be updated
Patch Management
Applications -Protect- • • • No
via a centralized tool. If updates are
Perform application updates on enterprise assets through automated patch available at all, devices generally
management on a monthly, or more frequent, basis. need to be individually updated. It is
often difficult to separate operating
system level patches from the
application providing the device’s
primary function.
7.5 Perform Automated Enterprise IoT assets used internally
Vulnerability Scans of Internal Applications -Identify- • • Yes should be scanned in an automated
Enterprise Assets manner to the extent practical.
Perform automated vulnerability scans of internal enterprise assets on a quarterly, or
more frequent, basis. Conduct both authenticated and unauthenticated scans, using a
SCAP-compliant vulnerability scanning tool.
7.6 Perform Automated Enterprise IoT assets used externally
Vulnerability Scans of should be scanned in an automated
Externally-Exposed Enterprise
Applications -Identify- • • Yes
manner to the extent practical.
Assets
Perform automated vulnerability scans of externally-exposed enterprise assets using
a SCAP-compliant vulnerability scanning tool. Perform scans on a monthly, or more
frequent, basis.
7.7 Remediate Detected Forcing platform updates at a specific
Vulnerabilities
Applications -Respond- • • Yes
time is not always possible, although
Remediate detected vulnerabilities in software through processes and tooling on a some devices can be configured
monthly, or more frequent, basis, based on the remediation process. for automated firmware updates.
This should lead to a timely update
process. This is the best way to
ensure vulnerabilities are remediated
on IoT devices.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 07: Continuous Vulnerability Management Page 30
 08 Audit Log
CONTROL

Management

Overview Collect, alert, review, and retain audit logs of events that could help
detect, understand, or recover from an attack.

IoT Applicability

IoT device logs are structured in a variety of file formats because there
are no uniform standards for storing and transferring IoT data. Some
industries and use cases may have standards available. Administrators
in these sectors should understand these formats in order to properly
implement this Control.

Each device manufacturer is free to create their own format, making

integrations from multiple vendors within the same network difficult.
Furthermore, IoT devices may not be configured to log events; they
may store logs locally on the device; or they may be sending them off
to a local gateway or cloud platform. Enterprises should ensure that IoT
devices create detailed logs and many IoT devices have this capability,
but this capability needs to be verified before purchase. Additionally,
a trusted method of extracting and parsing audit logs from relevant
components should be available. However, this may prove challenging
in some instances where OS and application logs are not enabled or
available. To the degree possible, the default stance should always be
to attempt to collect these logs.

IoT Challenges

Having logs from IoT devices is one measure of success but means
little to an enterprise’s cybersecurity posture if they are not being
reviewed on a regular basis. Another challenging area related to
IoT security is how to integrate large amounts of security data from
diverse enterprise devices into an enterprise’s Security Information
and Event Management (SIEM) system. The creation of custom
connectors should be investigated when IoT components do not
provide standards-based log output. Just as important is a focus on

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 08: Audit Log Management Page 31
 how to make sense of the IoT log data when combined with standard
network data captured by the SIEM. The establishment of rules that
correlate this diverse data effectively will be an interesting challenge
moving forward. Cloud-based analysis may be a potential solution to
these challenges.

Developers may be concerned about writing logs too often to flash

memory, which can potentially lead to excessive wear on the flash
memory modules. This is an open problem, and developers must
attempt to strike their own balance based on customer need.

IoT Additional Discussion

Legacy IoT systems are designed for reliable operations and rapid
recovery. Accordingly, some of these systems include the ability to
generate logs. Command and control subsystems may use alternative,
out-of-band logging of activities that should be considered when
assessing the implementation of this Control, or the need for separate,
compensating controls.

CIS Control 8: Audit Log Management

SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

8.1 Establish and Maintain an Audit IT professionals should understand

Log Management Process
Network -Protect- • • • Y
the types of logs available via their
Establish and maintain an audit log management process that defines the enterprise’s unique assembly of IoT devices,
logging requirements. At a minimum, address the collection, review, and retention of supporting infrastructure, and
audit logs for enterprise assets. Review and update documentation annually, or when apps. The method of obtaining logs
significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard. from each device type should be
documented.
8.2 Collect Audit Logs Network -Detect- • • • Y If IoT device logs are created and
Collect audit logs. Ensure that logging, per the enterprise’s audit log management available for export, they should be
process, has been enabled across enterprise assets. regularly extracted and reviewed.

8.3 Ensure Adequate Audit Log This is particularly important for IoT
Storage
Network -Protect- • • • Y
devices with constrained memory
Ensure that logging destinations maintain adequate storage to comply with the storage. It is difficult to ascertain
enterprise’s audit log management process. before a purchase if a device contains
sufficient local storage capacity
for detailed event logs. If sufficient
storage is unavailable, old logs may
be written over. Another solution is to
send the logs off-device to a gateway
or cloud platform.
8.4 Standardize Time Developers of IoT devices may
Synchronization
Network -Protect- • • Y
be able to design individual
Standardize time synchronization. Configure at least two synchronized time sources applications to utilize additional time
across enterprise assets, where supported. sources, but this is an extremely
uncommon feature.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 08: Audit Log Management Page 32
CIS Control 8: Audit Log Management
SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

8.5 Collect Detailed Audit Logs Network -Detect- • • Y This is always a concern for any type
Configure detailed audit logging for enterprise assets containing sensitive data. Include of information system.
event source, date, username, timestamp, source addresses, destination addresses,
and other useful elements that could assist in a forensic investigation.
8.6 Collect DNS Query Audit Logs Network -Detect- • • N This is a network-level mitigation, out
Collect DNS query audit logs on enterprise assets, where appropriate and supported. of scope for IoT.

8.7 Collect URL Request Audit Logs Network -Detect- • • N There is nothing specific to IoT within
Collect URL request audit logs on enterprise assets, where appropriate and supported. this Safeguard.

8.8 Collect Command-Line Audit Log management at scale can

Logs
Devices -Detect- • • Y
provide useful information about the
Collect command-line audit logs. Example implementations include collecting audit state and health of fielded devices.
logs from PowerShell®, BASH™, and remote administrative terminals. This information should be stored and
processed via a single resource.
8.9 Centralize Audit Logs Network -Detect- • • Y IoT devices do not make log
Centralize, to the extent possible, audit log collection, and retention across centralization easy. This should be
enterprise assets. done to the extent practical.

8.10 Retain Audit Logs Network -Protect- • • N There is nothing specific to IoT within
Retain audit logs across enterprise assets for a minimum of 90 days. this Safeguard.

8.11 Conduct Audit Log Reviews Network -Detect- • • Y Administrators and IT professionals
Conduct reviews of audit logs to detect anomalies or abnormal events that could should review audit logs
indicate a potential threat. Conduct reviews on a weekly, or more frequent, basis. for unexpected accesses to
enterprise resources.
8.12 Collect Service Provider Logs Data -Detect- • Y If this information is available, it
Collect service provider logs, where supported. Example implementations include should be collected and analyzed.
collecting authentication and authorization events; data creation and disposal events;
and user management events.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 08: Audit Log Management Page 33
 09 Email and Web Browser
CONTROL

Protections

Overview Improve protections and detections of threats from email and web
vectors, as these are opportunities for attackers to manipulate
human behavior through direct engagement.

IoT Applicability

IoT devices generally do not use email or external web browser

applications or interfaces. Some stand-alone IoT management systems
may leverage standard web browser technologies for visualization and
a common user experience. The majority of IoT devices will use email
and browsers in a “headless” fashion.

IoT Challenges

Some devices will run a web server in order to support

Representational State Transfer (RESTful) web services. Unfortunately,
it is not always possible to apply hardening guidance such as
the CIS Benchmarks to IoT devices using web technologies.
Embedded devices are commonly built without any way of modifying
internal firmware.

IoT Additional Discussion

IT equipment that is used to transfer or bridge data between an IoT

network and an IT corporate or other non-IoT operational network may
incorporate email or web browser functionality. These applications
should be protected according to best practice. In cases where web
browser technologies are incorporated in stand-alone IoT networks, a
risk analysis should be performed to address the need to update the
applications when patches and new versions are released.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 09: Email and Web Browser Protections Page 34
CIS Control 09: Email and Web Browser Protections
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

9.1 Ensure Use of Only Fully Although browsers and email clients
Supported Browsers and Email Applications -Protect- • • • Yes should be kept up-to-date, it is
Clients difficult to do this for IoT devices.
Ensure only fully supported browsers and email clients are allowed to execute in Enterprises should attempt to verify
the enterprise, only using the latest version of browsers and email clients provided that updates are regularly applied to
through the vendor. IoT devices.

9.2 Use DNS Filtering Services Network -Protect- • • • Yes In order for this mitigation to be put
Use DNS filtering services on all enterprise assets to block access to known into place, it would have to be done at
malicious domains. the network level.

9.3 Maintain and Enforce Network- Network-based proxies, firewalls,

Based URL Filters
Network -Protect- • • Yes
and other proxies can be
Enforce and update network-based URL filters to limit an enterprise asset from configured for IoT devices, or
connecting to potentially malicious or unapproved websites. Example implementations specifically support capabilities to
include category-based filtering, reputation-based filtering, or through the use of block filter IoT traffic. Content blockers
lists. Enforce filters for all enterprise assets. can be developed for certain
applications.
9.4 Restrict Unnecessary or This is generally not possible with
Unauthorized Browser and Applications -Protect- • • No common IoT devices.
Email Client Extensions
Restrict, either through uninstalling or disabling, any unauthorized or unnecessary
browser or email client plugins, extensions, and add-on applications.
9.5 Implement DMARC Network -Protect- • • No Although DMARC is an important
To lower the chance of spoofed or modified emails from valid domains, implement Safeguard, DMARC is implemented
DMARC policy and verification, starting with implementing the Sender Policy in DNS and mail servers, and
Framework (SPF) and the DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) standards. therefore not applicable to
individual IoT devices.
9.6 Block Unnecessary File Types Network -Protect- • • Yes This is generally not possible with
Block unnecessary file types attempting to enter the enterprise’s email gateway. common IoT devices.

9.7 Deploy and Maintain Email This is generally not possible with
Server Anti-Malware Network -Protect- • No common IoT devices.
Protections
Deploy and maintain email server anti-malware protections, such as attachment
scanning and/or sandboxing.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 09: Email and Web Browser Protections Page 35
 10 Malware
CONTROL

Defenses

Overview Prevent or control the installation, spread, and execution of

malicious applications, code, or scripts on enterprise assets.

IoT Applicability

Malware affects IoT devices in similar ways to other platforms, as seen

with high-profile attacks utilizing distributed denial of service (DDoS)
and explored in greater detail in the paper DDoS in the IoT: Mirai and
Other Botnets. Both malware and exploits are now tailored to IoT
devices and platforms, which highlights the need for a robust strategy
to defend against malware and malicious code.

IoT Challenges

Given the limited processing ability and limited power capacity of

many IoT components, host-based malware protections may consume
too much processing capability and energy to work effectively,
necessitating alternative protections. Using commercial, network-
based malware detection systems (e.g., in-line monitoring) may not be
feasible due to latency requirements or the use of non-IP protocols,
but this is changing. IoT-specific network monitoring devices are
beginning to be available for both enterprises and consumers.
Continuous monitoring at corporate or other gateways through which
IoT device information (updates and/or data) flows may be used to
detect adversary malware or to correlate observed activity with known,
legitimate, and/or planned activity.

IoT Additional Discussion

Traditional anti-malware techniques are not feasible on IoT devices.

At the very least, preventing IoT devices from being publicly exposed
to and facing the internet will act as a potential barrier. Segmenting
IoT devices to their own dedicated network may be a prudent strategy
if possible.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 10: Malware Defenses Page 36
 A primary IoT malware attack vector is via the firmware update
process. Intelligent device purchasing and supply chain risk
management can help to address the risk of IoT-based malware.
Periodic validation of IoT device operation via alternative information
channels (e.g., analog records, operational anomaly detection through
long-term analytics) may be helpful but will require collection and
long-term storage of what is normally perishable data.

In certain industries where availability is the overriding concern (e.g.,

healthcare, energy), IoT devices may be uniquely vulnerable to DDoS.
Anti-malware tools and techniques should be properly regression-
tested to ensure that availability and reliability of the system will not
be adversely affected. Additionally, all anti-malware tools should be
configured such that a false positive detection will not negatively
impact the availability or reliability of any critical processes. The MUD
framework can be leveraged here to allowlist specific actions IoT
devices can take, and then be used to prevent those activities from
taking place. Testing may need to occur whenever a change is made
to the anti-malware firmware such as a configuration change, firmware
hotfix, or repository update. It is important to understand the attack
patterns used to affect IoT devices in your industry.

Another product category that can assist in defense against malware

is threat intelligence focused towards IoT devices. These services
review Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) and provide a risk
rating or threat score to analysts based on behavior and other factors.
Finally, allowlisting of firmware can provide malware protection by
preventing malicious code from executing in the first place.

CIS Control 10: Malware Defenses

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

10.1 Deploy and Maintain Anti- It can be difficult to find anti-malware

Malware Software
Devices -Protect- • • • Yes
products that also integrate with
Deploy and maintain anti-malware software on all enterprise assets. solutions already being used within
an enterprise. On-device IoT malware
solutions are not often a possible
solution, but should be researched
often as the IoT market is rapidly
changing. Devices supporting the
MUD Framework can be particularly
useful in implanting this Control and
applicable Safeguards.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 10: Malware Defenses Page 37
CIS Control 10: Malware Defenses
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

10.2 Configure Automatic Anti- Malware developers adapt to new

Malware Signature Updates
Devices -Protect- • • • Yes
defenses and find new infection
Configure automatic updates for anti-malware signature files on all enterprise assets. vectors for attacking IoT devices.
This means that malware signatures
change over time. Updating managed
anti-malware software will keep
the defenses up-to-date against
new threats.
10.3 Disable Autorun and Autoplay IoT devices typically do not have
for Removable Media
Devices -Protect- • • • No
these features enabled. If this is
Disable autorun and autoplay auto-execute functionality for removable media. necessary, verification of these
features in IoT devices should be
conducted before purchase and
implementation.
10.4 Configure Automatic IoT devices do not typically have
Anti-Malware Scanning of Devices -Detect- • • No physical ports for removable
Removable Media devices and cannot perform
Configure anti-malware software to automatically scan removable media. scanning activities.

10.5 Enable Anti-Exploitation These are either enabled by default

Features
Devices -Protect- • • No
on the operating system or they
Enable anti-exploitation features on enterprise assets and software, where possible, are not. Unfortunately, IoT devices
such as Microsoft® Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Windows® Defender Exploit Guard typically do not have these features
(WDEG), or Apple® System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Gatekeeper™. enabled. If these important anti-
exploit technologies are necessary,
verification of these features in IoT
devices should be conducted before
purchase and implementation.
10.6 Centrally Manage Anti-Malware Effective anti-malware IoT products
Software
Devices -Protect- • • Yes
that also integrate with solutions
Centrally manage anti-malware software. already being used within an
enterprise are often hard to come by.
Regardless of whether the solution
is centrally managed or not, a plan
for dealing with malware, including
incident response, should be in place
prior to the introduction of IoT.
10.7 Use Behavior-Based Anti- On-device IoT malware solutions
Malware Software
Devices -Detect- • • Yes
utilizing behavior-based techniques
Use behavior-based anti-malware software. are unlikely to be available.
Network-based malware detection
mechanisms using behavioral
techniques are a more reasonable
IoT solution.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 10: Malware Defenses Page 38
 11 Data
CONTROL

Recovery

Overview Establish and maintain data recovery practices sufficient to restore

in-scope enterprise assets to a pre-incident and trusted state.

IoT Applicability

Many IoT devices may provide onboard storage for data and logs,
though some IoT devices do not. Devices that store data may transfer
it to dedicated network storage locations for near-term or permanent
storage. This can be done periodically or in near real-time. When
taking an inventory of the types of IoT devices to be used within an
enterprise, it is important to understand whether data is at risk of
being lost at any given point in the architecture and whether to devise
a plan for ensuring that data can be recovered in case of component
failure. The recovery of information stored on IoT management
platforms is an important consideration and these systems should be
incorporated into your enterprise implementation of CIS Control 11.

IoT Challenges

Creating backups of IoT data can be very difficult as traditional backup

strategies simply will not work. For instance, even simple utilities
such as rsync will not be available and are therefore not a valid
option. Native backup capabilities may be provided by the device
manufacturer, and this functionality should be understood before
purchase and implementation. Native capabilities will differ, and may
automatically back up to the cloud or a phone, and enterprises should
understand how backups function before usage in the enterprise.

IoT Additional Discussion

When IoT message traffic is perishable and temporary, the value

of data recovery is limited to maintenance actions. Data recovery
capabilities may be required for operational data at consolidation
and action points for compliance or maintenance purposes. IoT

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 11: Data Recovery Page 39
 devices often maintain data until an online connection (e.g., via
Bluetooth, LoRaWAN Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) is established with a gateway
application. In these instances, sensitive data may continue to be
resident on the device and may require a recovery capability.

Enterprises should verify and review backup settings from the

device manufacturer, including any associated service within the
IoT ecosystem, to make sure the proper information is backed up.
Proper authentication mechanisms should be in place to protect any
enterprise data backed up to a cloud platform. IoT devices may also
unintentionally back up information to any desktop environment they
are connected to, or even gateways and mobile devices. The creation
of these backups should be prevented unless specifically authorized
by the enterprise.

CIS Control 11: Data Recovery

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

11.1 Establish and Maintain a Data Enterprises should document the

Recovery Process
Data -Recover- • • • Yes
processes used to back up and also
Establish and maintain a data recovery process. In the process, address the scope of recover enterprise information within
data recovery activities, recovery prioritization, and the security of backup data. Review IoT environments.
and update documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that
could impact this Safeguard.
11.2 Perform Automated Backups Data -Recover- • • • Yes Users should regularly back up
Perform automated backups of in-scope enterprise assets. Run backups weekly, or enterprise IoT data to approved
more frequently, based on the sensitivity of the data. backup locations. This includes
backing up monitoring and
administration-oriented data, such
as logs that are stored on a system
separate from the IoT device.
Automated backups are not always
possible for IoT platforms, but effort
should be expended to ensure it is
properly set up when available.
11.3 Protect Recovery Data Data -Protect- • • • Yes Data protection controls need to
Protect recovery data with equivalent controls to the original data. Reference be in place for both on-premises
encryption or data separation, based on requirements. and cloud-based backup solutions.
Some cloud-based services will
provide data protection automatically,
but users and enterprises need
to verify the mitigations in place
before electing to use a service. Any
removable media for the device,
alongside desktop backups, also
needs to be protected.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 11: Data Recovery Page 40
CIS Control 11: Data Recovery
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

11.4 Establish and Maintain an Ransomware and its related offshoots

Isolated Instance of Recovery Data -Recover- • • • Yes (e.g., destructive malware) typically
Data perform malicious activities on
Establish and maintain an isolated instance of recovery data. Example implementations the device itself. This includes
include version controlling backup destinations through offline, cloud, or off-site preventing access to the device,
systems or services. yet it rarely affects third-party cloud
storage providers.
11.5 Test Data Recovery Data -Recover- • • Yes Employees and administrators should
Test backup recovery quarterly, or more frequently, for a sampling of in-scope regularly perform tests of accessing
enterprise assets. and restoring backed up data.
Regular recovery exercises help the
enterprise go through the motions of
accessing and using backed up data.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 11: Data Recovery Page 41
 12 Network Infrastructure
CONTROL

Management

Overview Establish, implement, and actively manage (track, report, correct)

network devices, in order to prevent attackers from exploiting
vulnerable network services and access points.

IoT Applicability

This Control is not directly applicable to IoT devices but is relevant

for the security of certain types of IoT gateways (e.g., small office,
home office [SoHo] routers used as IoT and LoRaWAN gateways) as
well as for the secure usage of general network devices. Guidance
on Wi-Fi security is provided by the CIS Controls, but it applies to all
computing devices and not necessarily IoT. When there is a plan to
undertake a medium- to large-scale deployment of IoT devices within
an enterprise, take the opportunity to review the configurations for
firewalls, routers, and switches to ensure that additional vulnerabilities
are not introduced through misconfiguration or poor network
architecture.

IoT Challenges

Legacy IoT systems may favor proprietary byte-oriented protocols,

but legacy systems that migrate to TCP/IP (e.g., Modbus TCP) are
often fragile and insecure. The absence of commercially available
network devices for legacy networks limits the value of this Control for
those networks.

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) specifies the Manufacturer

Usage Description (MUD) standard, which allows IoT devices to
advertise their capabilities via the local network.1 Using MUD, IoT
devices can solely transmit and receive information they need to

1
https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/rfc8520/

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 12: Network Infrastructure Management Page 42
 properly operate. This can be enforced via context specific policies.
Practical examples of how to use this technology can be found in this
guide from the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.1

IoT Additional Discussion

Newer IoT devices often use RESTful APIs that require supporting web
services to be implemented securely. In addition, many IoT devices
implement IPv6 communications and sometimes use protocols
such as IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks
(6LoWPANs) to support the ability for constrained IoT devices to
connect to the internet. The introduction of IPv6 opens a whole new
set of security considerations across network devices for operation in
a secure manner.

As discussed in other Controls within this guide, the use of

segregation strategies is strongly recommended to keep IoT
components operating in their own zones or on their own separate
networks. In cases where there must be a connection point between
an IoT segment and the corporate network, boundary defense
mechanisms must be put in place. Firewalls, IDS, and IPS can provide
assurance that a compromise of the less-trusted IoT network will have
limited effect on the more secure corporate network.

CIS Control 12: Network Infrastructure Management

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

12.1 Ensure Network Infrastructure IoT gateways will need to regularly

is Up-to-Date
Network -Protect- • • • No
receive firmware updates.
Ensure network infrastructure is kept up-to-date. Example implementations include
running the latest stable release of software and/or using currently supported network-
as-a-service (NaaS) offerings. Review software versions monthly, or more frequently, to
verify software support.
12.2 Establish and Maintain a Secure Network architecture may need to
Network Architecture
Network -Protect- • • No
consider legacy IoT devices that may
Establish and maintain a secure network architecture. A secure network architecture be insecure. IoT devices without
must address segmentation, least privilege, and availability, at a minimum. authentication to use the device (e.g.,
smart speaker) may need to be on
their own network without access to
enterprise resources.
12.3 Securely Manage Network Network infrastructure associated
Infrastructure
Network -Protect- • • No
with IoT devices needs to be
Securely manage network infrastructure. Example implementations include version- managed in a secure manner.
controlled-infrastructure-as-code, and the use of secure network protocols, such as
SSH and HTTPS.

https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.1800-15.pdf
1

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 12: Network Infrastructure Management Page 43
CIS Control 12: Network Infrastructure Management
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

12.4 Establish and Maintain Architecture diagrams should be

Architecture Diagram(s)
Network -Identify- • • No
created and kept up-to-date. This
Establish and maintain architecture diagram(s) and/or other network system documentation should include all
documentation. Review and update documentation annually, or when significant types of IoT devices.
enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
12.5 Centralize Network If IoT devices support this
Authentication, Authorization, Network -Protect- • • No functionality, it should be used, but
and Auditing (AAA) this would be abnormal.
Centralize network AAA.
12.6 Use of Secure Network IoT devices must be researched
Management and Network -Protect- • • No beforehand to understand
Communication Protocols if they are using secure
Use secure network management and communication protocols (e.g. 802.1X, Wi-Fi communication protocols.
Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Enterprise or greater).
12.7 Ensure Remote Devices Utilize IoT devices do not contain this
a VPN and are Connecting to an Devices -Protect- • • No capability.
Enterprise’s AAA Infrastructure
Require users to authenticate to enterprise-managed VPN and authentication services
prior to accessing enterprise resources on end-user devices.
12.8 Establish and Maintain Many consider network segmentation
Dedicated Computing for IoT devices a critical safeguard in
Resources for All Administrative
Devices -Protect- • No
the enterprise. This is especially true
Work for IoT devices processing sensitive
Establish and maintain dedicated computing resources, either physically or logically enterprise information.
separated, for all administrative tasks or tasks requiring administrative access. The
computing resources should be segmented from the enterprise’s primary network and
not be allowed internet access.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 12: Network Infrastructure Management Page 44
 13 Network Monitoring
CONTROL

and Defense

Overview Operate processes and tooling to establish and maintain

comprehensive network monitoring and defense against security
threats across the enterprise’s network infrastructure and user base.

IoT Applicability

This is a particularly important set of mitigations for IoT devices,

and similar strategies intended for traditional network monitoring
situations apply, with the exception of utilizing host-based solutions
on IoT devices. Defenses and mitigations, such as network monitoring
tools, email security, intrusion detection system (IDS) and intrusion
prevention system (IPS) alerts, and logging of network-based events
are all important and should be utilized to the extent possible. These
can be implemented in segmented networks where IoT devices are
utilized and routed instead of through the trusted enterprise network.
Filtering IoT network to the extent practical is worthwhile, as is the
usage of security information and event management (SIEM).

IoT Challenges

IoT devices are increasingly being used in stand-alone enterprise

scenarios or connected to cloud-based platforms. Full infrastructures
dedicated to IoT may be needed that supports capture, processing,
and analysis of data from IoT endpoints in the cloud. In addition, IoT
platforms may share and collate information from many different
enterprises. For cloud-based systems that support IoT, consider cloud
security best practices, and move to a data-centric security approach
to support the sharing of IoT data across many different organizations.
On-premises hosting of IoT information should be utilized where
possible, but this is rarely the case. The CIS Controls Cloud Companion
Guide offers additional guidance for securing cloud environments.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 13: Network Monitoring and Defense Page 45
IoT Additional Discussion

In many instances, a decision will be made to place IoT devices outside

of the trusted network boundary. Even with the few devices utilizing
data-in-transit encryption with vetted algorithms and reasonable key
sizes, certain types of traffic will be leaked. Examples of this type of
information may include: diagnostic information about the device,
OS traffic back and forth with the ecosystem provider, and wireless
traffic using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, and cellular networks. These
types of information leaks allow passively sniffing malicious actors
to fingerprint the device. Some devices may automatically attempt to
access or connect to Wi-Fi networks to which they have previously
been associated. Denylisting certain service set identifiers (SSIDs) on
devices, like those from major retailers and cafes, can help prevent
an IoT device from accessing a rogue version of that network and
sending sensitive enterprise data over it. Many enterprises will use a
combination of network segmentation approaches for better vetted
devices that provide critical enterprise functions.

CIS Control 13: Network Monitoring and Defense

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

13.1 Centralize Security Event SIEMs can help to correlate security

Alerting
Network -Detect- • • Yes
events occurring on IoT devices
Centralize security event alerting across enterprise assets for log correlation and with mobile, server, network
analysis. Best practice implementation requires the use of a SIEM, which includes appliances, or other events within the
vendor-defined event correlation alerts; a log analytics platform configured with enterprise network.
security-relevant correlation alerts also satisfies this Safeguard.
13.2 Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion IoT devices are unlikely to support
Detection Solution
Devices -Detect- • • Yes
this capability as you cannot install a
Deploy a host-based intrusion detection solution on enterprise assets, where host-based IDS onto an embedded
appropriate and/or supported. device. Devices leveraging the
MUD framework can implement
this Safeguard.
13.3 Deploy a Network Intrusion Enterprises can ensure that
Detection Solution
Network -Detect- • • No
signatures and other information
Deploy a network intrusion detection solution on enterprise assets, where appropriate. used by the IDS are IoT-specific,
Example implementations include the use of a Network Intrusion Detection System and that their IDS is “IoT aware.”
(NIDS) or equivalent Cloud Service Provider (CSP) service. This Safeguard is better and
more easily enforced when an IoT
gateway is in use or when devices
route traffic through the enterprise.
13.4 Perform Traffic Filtering Segmented IoT devices should
Between Network Segments
Network -Protect- • • Yes
remain that way, and unwanted
Perform traffic filtering between network segments, where appropriate. traffic should be filtered
and understood.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 13: Network Monitoring and Defense Page 46
CIS Control 13: Network Monitoring and Defense
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

13.5 Manage Access Control for Administrators should attempt

Remote Assets
Devices -Protect- • • Yes
to obtain some degree of control
Manage access control for assets remotely connecting to enterprise resources. over the security and configuration
Determine amount of access to enterprise resources based on: up-to-date anti- of any IoT devices accessing an
malware software installed; configuration compliance with the enterprise’s secure internal network.
configuration process; and ensuring the operating system and applications
are up-to-date.
13.6 Collect Network Traffic Flow Network traffic flow logs associated
Logs
Network -Detect- • • No
with IoT devices should be regularly
Collect network traffic flow logs and/or network traffic to review and alert upon from accessed and stored elsewhere in
network devices. accordance with an enterprise’s
data retention policy.
13.7 Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion IoT devices are unlikely to support
Prevention Solution
Devices -Protect- • Yes
this capability as you cannot
Deploy a host-based intrusion prevention solution on enterprise assets, where install a host-based IPS onto an
appropriate and/or supported. Example implementations include use of an Endpoint embedded device.
Detection and Response (EDR) client or host-based IPS agent.
13.8 Deploy a Network Intrusion Enterprises can ensure that any
Prevention Solution
Network -Protect- • No
relevant IPS is “IoT aware.” This
Deploy a network intrusion prevention solution, where appropriate. Example Safeguard is better and more easily
implementations include the use of a Network Intrusion Prevention System (NIPS) or enforced when an IoT gateway is
equivalent CSP service. in use or when devices route traffic
through the enterprise.
13.9 Deploy Port-Level Access It is unlikely that this will be
Control
Devices -Protect- • Yes
possible for most IoT devices, but if
Deploy port-level access control. Port-level access control utilizes 802.1x, or similar the capability is available, it should
network access control protocols, such as certificates, and may incorporate user and/ be enabled. Note that 802.1x does
or device authentication. not work on many IoT devices that
do not support supplicant software.
Network-level authentication
can cause reliability issues if not
strictly maintained.
13.10 Perform Application Layer Although this Safeguard is quite
Filtering
Network -Protect- • No
useful, it is not specific to IoT.
Perform application layer filtering. Example implementations include a filtering proxy,
application layer firewall, or gateway.
13.11 Tune Security Event Alerting Customizing a SIEM’s ruleset to
Thresholds
Network -Detect- • No
accommodate IoT devices currently
Tune security event alerting thresholds monthly, or more frequently. utilized by an enterprise is prudent.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 13: Network Monitoring and Defense Page 47
 14 Security Awareness
CONTROL

and Skills Training

Overview Establish and maintain a security awareness program to influence

behavior among the workforce to be security conscious and
properly skilled to reduce cybersecurity risks to the enterprise.

IoT Applicability

Administrators and any employees responsible for deploying and

managing IoT devices should be trained on risks and threats specific
to IoT devices and platforms. The deployment of IoT components
brings with it new operational capabilities as well as new system and
security management requirements. Security awareness training
should be tailored to all employees regularly using these devices to
prevent unauthorized access of enterprise IoT devices and data.

IoT Challenges

Ensuring that administrators and employees understand the threats

IoT devices pose to their networks can be a challenging task. Special
notice should be provided regarding any connection of insecure
legacy devices to enterprise networks that handle sensitive enterprise
information. Consumer IoT devices are often cheap, easily available,
and become ubiquitous in daily living. Employees may attempt to
bring unapproved devices into the office or remote locations to use.
This could include connecting enterprise systems to these devices, or
connecting the IoT devices directly to the network. Employees need to
understand the security policies surrounding these actions.

IoT Additional Discussion

Enterprises need to work to understand if a skills gap exists for

current staff. If so, then there is a need to work towards identifying
appropriate training to fill those gaps. This isn’t a one time activity; as
time goes on, new threats will emerge that staff will need to learn and
understand the impacts on enterprise IoT devices.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 14: Security Awareness and Skills Training Page 48
 IoT introduces new concepts that include a heavy focus on RF
communications, with a range of purpose-built protocols. Security
engineering teams must understand the intricate details of these
protocols to configure devices in a secure manner. In many cases, IoT
subsystems must also be integrated into the larger enterprise through
cloud-based APIs. This requires that security engineering teams be
well-versed in the cloud-based technologies that support IoT.

Legacy operators are beginning to integrate IoT into their networks.

When migrating to remote operations or reporting remote situational
awareness, enterprises need to ensure their remote operators have the
skills and training to address the additional risks of leveraging internet-
facing IoT devices for their work.

CIS Control 14: Security Awareness and Skills Training

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

14.1 Establish and Maintain a A strategy should be developed

Security Awareness Program
N/A -Protect- • • • Yes
to address and educate users on
Establish and maintain a security awareness program. The purpose of a security security concerns surrounding the
awareness program is to educate the enterprise’s workforce on how to interact with use of IoT devices. Understanding the
enterprise assets and data in a secure manner. Conduct training at hire and, at a habits of employees using enterprise-
minimum, annually. Review and update content annually, or when significant enterprise approved IoT devices can help focus
changes occur that could impact this Safeguard. future cybersecurity awareness
training. It can also be beneficial to
analyze the list of IoT devices used
in the enterprise and plan specific
training for staff with administrative
privileges for those IoT devices.
14.2 Train Workforce Members to This Safeguard is not generally
Recognize Social Engineering N/A -Protect- • • • Yes applicable to IoT devices but may
Attacks apply for simpler automated home IoT
Train workforce members to recognize social engineering attacks, such as phishing, devices where users should be aware
pre-texting, and tailgating. of attempts to gain administrative
access to the device through social
engineering.
14.3 Train Workforce Members on Secure authentication is different
Authentication Best Practices
N/A -Protect- • • • Yes
on IoT platforms, and employees
Train workforce members on authentication best practices. Example topics include should know the security risks
MFA, password composition, and credential management. and implications of insecurely
N/Aconnecting IoT devices to
corporate networks.
14.4 Train Workforce on Data Users should understand what data is
Handling Best Practices
N/A -Protect- • • • Yes
sensitive on their IoT devices and how
Train workforce members on how to identify and properly store, transfer, archive, and to prevent commingling alongside
destroy sensitive data. This also includes training workforce members on clear screen personal information.
and desk best practices, such as locking their screen when they step away from their
enterprise asset, erasing physical and virtual whiteboards at the end of meetings, and
storing data and assets securely.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 14: Security Awareness and Skills Training Page 49
CIS Control 14: Security Awareness and Skills Training
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

14.5 Train Workforce Members on This can be tailored to IoT-specific

Causes of Unintentional Data N/A -Protect- • • • Yes needs, such as what can happen if
Exposure an insecure IoT device is connected
Train workforce members to be aware of causes for unintentional data exposure. to an enterprise network, or insecure
Example topics include mis-delivery of sensitive data, losing a portable end-user data storage in an associated
device, or publishing data to unintended audiences. cloud platform.

14.6 Train Workforce Members on Employees can be trained on what

Recognizing and Reporting N/A -Protect- • • • Yes successful attacks on IoT devices
Security Incidents look like and to whom they should
Train workforce members to be able to recognize a potential incident and be able to be reported.
report such an incident.
14.7 Train Workforce on How to This Safeguard can be tailored to
Identify and Report if Their users learning how to ensure IoT
Enterprise Assets are Missing
N/A -Protect- • • • Yes
devices are up-to-date.
Security Updates
Train workforce to understand how to verify and report out-of-date software patches
or any failures in automated processes and tools. Part of this training should include
notifying IT personnel of any failures in automated processes and tools.
14.8 Train Workforce on the This Safeguard does not apply
Dangers of Connecting to and to IoT devices connected to
Transmitting Enterprise Data
N/A -Protect- • • • Yes
enterprise networks.
Over Insecure Networks
Train workforce members on the dangers of connecting to, and transmitting data
over, insecure networks for enterprise activities. If the enterprise has remote workers,
training must include guidance to ensure that all users securely configure their home
network infrastructure.
14.9 Conduct Role-Specific Security Role-specific awareness training
Awareness and Skills Training
N/A -Protect- • • Yes
should include an IoT component.
Conduct role-specific security awareness and skills training. Example implementations
include secure system administration courses for IT professionals, OWASP® Top 10
vulnerability awareness and prevention training for web application developers, and
advanced social engineering awareness training for high-profile roles.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 14: Security Awareness and Skills Training Page 50
 15 Service Provider
CONTROL

Management

Overview Develop a process to evaluate service providers who hold sensitive

data, or are responsible for an enterprise’s critical IT platforms or
processes, to ensure these providers are protecting those platforms
and data appropriately.

IoT Applicability

The primary service providers for IoT devices will include the provider
of cloud-based services to support IoT devices. These platforms
will most often provide device management, monitoring, and
access to data.

IoT Challenges

Small to medium-sized businesses may be unable to ensure that these

large companies implement many of the practices necessitated by the
Safeguards found within this Control. Monitoring the security posture
of IoT cloud platform providers will often be infeasible from a technical
standpoint, and contractual or legal assurances will be necessary.
Before entering a Service Provider’s ecosystem, it is a worthwhile
activity to understand the authentication mechanisms available to
customers. At the very least, multi-factor authentication should be
supported, providing integration with whatever identity services the
primary organization utilizes.

IoT Additional Discussion

This Control revolves around obtaining assurances from Service

Providers as to their cybersecurity practices. Not all Service Providers
will protect an enterprise’s data in the same manner. Accordingly, a
Service Provider’s cybersecurity posture affects their ability to secure
enterprise data entrusted to them. Obtaining ongoing information
about a Service Provider’s security posture will be difficult. Customer

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 15: Service Provider Management Page 51
 breach notifications or even mentions in the media of a breach are
solid points of data about security posture. If an enterprise is regularly
breached, that may be a sign to use another IoT platform.

CIS Control 15: Service Provider Management

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

15.1 Establish and Maintain an The primary service providers

Inventory of Service Providers
-Identify- • • • Yes
include the device manufacturer,
Establish and maintain an inventory of service providers. The inventory is to list cloud-platform provider, mobile
all known service providers; include classification(s), and designate an enterprise app developer, and any integrated
contact for each service provider. Review and update the inventory annually, or when devices or services needed for
significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard. enterprise operations.

15.2 Establish and Maintain a Policies for working with service

Service Provider Management -Identify- • • Yes providers should address handling
Policy enterprise data generated by, and
Establish and maintain a service provider management policy. Ensure the policy traditionally stored on, IoT devices.
addresses the classification, inventory, assessment, monitoring, and decommissioning Updates to this policy may be
of service providers. Review and update the policy annually, or when significant necessary when major changes
enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard. happen to IoT devices, such as
the addition of new functions via a
major OS update or changes to the
cloud platform.
15.3 Classify Service Providers -Identify- • • Yes The enterprise resources an IoT
Classify service providers. Classification consideration may include one or more device can access, alongside the
characteristics, such as data sensitivity, data volume, availability requirements, data its sensors generate, are
applicable regulations, inherent risk, and mitigated risk. Update and review prime candidates for classifying
classifications annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact service providers.
this Safeguard.
15.4 Ensure Service Provider Service Providers offering IoT
Contracts Include Security -Protect- • • Yes devices should adhere to the security
Requirements requirements of the enterprise.
Ensure service provider contracts include security requirements. Example requirements Enterprise security requirements
may include minimum security program requirements; security incident and/or data should be tailored to IoT.
breach notification and response; data encryption requirements; and data disposal
commitments. These security requirements must be consistent with the enterprise’s
service provider management policy. Review service provider contracts annually to
ensure contracts are not missing security requirements.
15.5 Assess Service Providers -Identify- • Yes Obtaining evidence that an IoT
Assess service providers consistent with the enterprise’s service provider management service provider adheres to enterprise
policy. Assessment scope may vary based on classification(s), and may include review security should be done in a similar
of standardized assessment reports, such as Service Organization Control 2 (SOC manner to other service providers
2) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) Attestation of Compliance (AoC), customized leveraged by the enterprise.
questionnaire, or other appropriately rigorous processes. Reassess service providers
annually, at a minimum, or with new and renewed contracts.
15.6 Monitor Service Providers Data -Detect- Yes •
Monitoring IoT service providers
Monitor service providers consistent with the enterprise’s service provider management should be done in a similar manner to
policy. Monitoring may include periodic reassessment of service provider compliance, other service providers leveraged by
monitoring service provider release notes, and dark web monitoring. the enterprise.

15.7 Securely Decommission Enterprises need to ensure IoT

Service Providers
Data -Protect- • Yes
service providers are securely
Securely decommission service providers. Example considerations include user decommissioned, to remove any data
and service account deactivation, termination of data flows, and secure disposal of saved in their system to include user
enterprise data within service provider systems. accounts, passwords, and credentials.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 15: Service Provider Management Page 52
 16 Application Software
CONTROL

Security

Overview Manage the security life cycle of in-house developed, hosted,

or acquired software to prevent, detect, and remediate security
weaknesses before they can impact the enterprise.

IoT Applicability

This Control can be applied in a few distinct ways as software

security can apply to 1) developing IoT devices; 2) deploying cloud-
based applications that IoT devices utilize; 3) writing mobile or
other applications that govern the usage of an IoT device; and 4)
creating an application that integrates with a device in some way,
such as leveraging an API. Note that this guide is not focused on the
development and manufacturing of IoT devices and instead guides
enterprises on their usage of IoT. Device controllers are also out of
scope for this Control.

IoT Challenges

Most enterprises will not be able to access the source code used
within IoT devices on their networks. This includes the associated
mobile applications and cloud platforms. In many instances, those
responsible for application security for IoT devices would have to
perform analysis on compiled binaries pulled from the devices, which
can be an arduous and time-consuming task. Mobile applications may
be more easily acquired, but the analysis would not be directly on the
source, which increases the time and resources needed to perform
the analysis. However, this can still be a valuable effort. For instance,
privileged credentials for accessing an IoT device have been found
inside of its corresponding mobile application. Or, in another instance,
credentials can be shared between distinct devices from the same
manufacturer.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 16: Application Software Security Page 53
IoT Additional Discussion

Enterprises may look to receive some level of assurance that device

manufacturers of IoT components practiced software assurance
fundamentals when developing the firmware that provides logic for
these devices. There will likely be a number of proprietary applications
(e.g., cloud service, mobile application) that communicate with the IoT
components and devices located throughout the enterprise. For IoT
devices, enterprises should understand which security best practices
were employed by the manufacturer and help to push vendors toward
secure software development methodologies. This should also be a
part of acquisition requirements and evaluation before purchase.

Software being developed by enterprises to connect to IoT

components should follow the same secure development standards
that the enterpise is already using for other internally developed
applications. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP®)
provides a wide variety of guidance for assessing and developing IoT
devices, and is a powerful resource for IoT security.

CIS Control 16: Application Software Security

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

16.1 Establish and Maintain In the context of IoT, establishing a

a Secure Application Applications -Protect- • • Yes secure software development process
Development Process is leveraging coding best practices
Establish and maintain a secure application development process. In the process, from the OWASP® IoT Project.
address such items as; secure application design standards, secure coding practices,
developer training, vulnerability management, security of third-party code, and
application security testing procedures. Review and update documentation annually, or
when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
16.2 Establish and Maintain a A vulnerability disclosure policy is key
Process to Accept and Address Applications -Protect- • • Yes for receiving reports of vulnerabilities
Software Vulnerabilities in an enterprise’s own software, and
Establish and maintain a process to accept and address reports of software addressing them before they are able
vulnerabilities, including providing a means for external entities to report. The process to be publicly exploited. Vulnerability
is to include such items as: a vulnerability handling policy that identifies reporting disclosure policies should include IoT
process, responsible party for handling vulnerability reports, and a process for intake, devices and apps, and procedures to
assignment, remediation, and remediation testing. As part of the process, use a quickly remedy vulnerabilities.
vulnerability tracking system that includes severity ratings, and metrics for measuring
timing for identification, analysis, and remediation of vulnerabilities. Review and update
documentation annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could
impact this Safeguard.
Third-party application developers need to consider this an externally-facing policy that
helps to set expectations for outside stakeholders.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 16: Application Software Security Page 54
CIS Control 16: Application Software Security
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

16.3 Perform Root Cause Analysis on This is an important step to ensure

Security Vulnerabilities
Applications -Protect- • • Yes
that vulnerabilities of the same type
Perform root cause analysis on security vulnerabilities. When reviewing vulnerabilities, don’t repeatedly occur in a codebase.
root cause analysis is the task of evaluating underlying issues that creates vulnerabilities
in code, and allows development teams to move beyond just fixing individual
vulnerabilities as they arise.
16.4 Establish and Manage an Third-party libraries, frameworks,
Inventory of Third-Party Applications -Protect- • • Yes and other technologies leveraged
Software Components by mobile app developers should
Establish and manage an updated inventory of third-party components used in be identified, understood, and
development, often referred to as a “bill of materials,” as well as components slated for inventoried.
future use. This inventory is to include any risks that each third-party component could
pose. Evaluate the list at least monthly to identify any changes or updates to these
components, and validate that the component is still supported.
16.5 Use Up-to-Date and Trusted Inventoried third-party IoT products
Third-Party Software Applications -Protect- • • Yes and services should be regularly
Components reviewed for support, and updated.
Use up-to-date and trusted third-party software components. When possible,
choose established and proven frameworks and libraries that provide adequate
security. Acquire these components from trusted sources or evaluate the software for
vulnerabilities before use.
16.6 Establish and Maintain a Administrators and security
Severity Rating System professionals will benefit from rating
and Process for Application
Applications -Protect- • • Yes
mobile device vulnerabilities. The
Vulnerabilities Common Vulnerability Scoring
Establish and maintain a severity rating system and process for application System (CVSS) does not differentiate
vulnerabilities that facilitates prioritizing the order in which discovered vulnerabilities between system types and is
are fixed. This process includes setting a minimum level of security acceptability for applicable to IoT devices and their
releasing code or applications. Severity ratings bring a systematic way of triaging associated management systems .
vulnerabilities that improves risk management and helps ensure the most severe bugs
are fixed first. Review and update the system and process annually.
16.7 Use Standard Hardening These templates are typically
Configuration Templates for Applications -Protect- • • No unavailable for IoT devices.
Application Infrastructure
Use standard, industry-recommended hardening configuration templates for
application infrastructure components. This includes underlying servers, databases,
and web servers, and applies to cloud containers, Platform as a Service (PaaS)
components, and SaaS components. Do not allow in-house developed software to
weaken configuration hardening.
16.8 Separate Production and Non- Non-production systems should not
Production Systems
Applications -Protect- • • Yes
be exposed to untrusted parties, as
Maintain separate environments for production and non-production systems. they commonly store sensitive data,
but are often not hardened or running
up-to-date software.
16.9 Train Developers in Application Classes and training materials are
Security Concepts and Secure Applications -Protect- • • Yes easily available online and in-person
Coding to educate developers on the
Ensure that all software development personnel receive training in writing secure common pitfalls of secure software
code for their specific development environment and responsibilities. Training can development for IoT platforms.
include general security principles and application security standard practices.
Conduct training at least annually and design in a way to promote security within the
development team, and build a culture of security among the developers.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 16: Application Software Security Page 55
CIS Control 16: Application Software Security
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

16.10 Apply Secure Design Principles Classes and training materials are
in Application Architectures
Applications -Protect- • • Yes
easily available online and in-person
Apply secure design principles in application architectures. Secure design principles to educate developers on the
include the concept of least privilege and enforcing mediation to validate every common pitfalls of secure software
operation that the user makes, promoting the concept of “never trust user input.” development for mobile platforms.
Examples include ensuring that explicit error checking is performed and documented
for all input, including for size, data type, and acceptable ranges or formats. Secure
design also means minimizing the application infrastructure attack surface, such as
turning off unprotected ports and services, removing unnecessary programs and files,
and renaming or removing default accounts.
16.11 Leverage Vetted Modules IoT developers should leverage vetted
or Services for Application Applications -Protect- • • Yes security technologies whenever
Security Components possible in lieu of building their
Leverage vetted modules or services for application security components, such as own. Examples include known
identity management, encryption, and auditing and logging. Using platform features hardware, firmware, and trusted cloud
in critical security functions will reduce developers’ workload and minimize the technologies.
likelihood of design or implementation errors. Modern operating systems provide
effective mechanisms for identification, authentication, and authorization and make
those mechanisms available to applications. Use only standardized, currently accepted,
and extensively reviewed encryption algorithms. Operating systems also provide
mechanisms to create and maintain secure audit logs.
16.12 Implement Code-Level Security Static and dynamic analysis tools
Checks
Applications -Protect- • Yes
dedicated to IoT devices are available.
Apply static and dynamic analysis tools within the application life cycle to verify that
secure coding practices are being followed.
16.13 Conduct Application Firms specializing in penetration
Penetration Testing
Applications -Protect- • Yes
testing can be hired.
Conduct application penetration testing. For critical applications, authenticated
penetration testing is better suited to finding business logic vulnerabilities than
code scanning and automated security testing. Penetration testing relies on the
skill of the tester to manually manipulate an application as an authenticated and
unauthenticated user.
16.14 Conduct Threat Modeling Applications -Protect- • Yes Threat modeling should be conducted
Conduct threat modeling. Threat modeling is the process of identifying and addressing for IoT devices and associated
application security design flaws within a design, before code is created. It is infrastructure.
conducted through specially trained individuals who evaluate the application design
and gauge security risks for each entry point and access level. The goal is to map out
the application, architecture, and infrastructure in a structured way to understand
its weaknesses.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 16: Application Software Security Page 56
 17 Incident Response
CONTROL

Management

Overview Establish a program to develop and maintain an incident response

capability (e.g., policies, plans, procedures, defined roles, training,
and communications) to prepare, detect, and quickly respond
to an attack.

IoT Applicability

Traditional incident response guidance applies and can be tailored

to IoT. This includes the need for planning, defining roles and
responsibilities, and defining an escalation path. As with traditional
systems, the need to identify, investigate, respond, and recover from
incidents involving IoT devices is important. IoT brings unique aspects
to the incident response process which can include working closely
with the device manufacturer who likely administers the associated
cloud platform.

IoT Challenges

There are often multiple types of compromise that could occur. For
instance, devices with active network connections to enterprise
systems could be accessed in an unauthorized manner. In a different
type of compromise, enterprise data generated by the IoT device
and stored in an online cloud-platform may be improperly accessed.
That enterprise data may then be available for download by anyone.
In both manners of compromise, response plans should be tailored
to address the course of action to take when one or more IoT
components are compromised. This should include considering the
need to perform forensics on the compromised component as well as
the need to quickly ensure that the device is taken offline to limit the
spread of the incident. It should be noted that IoT forensics requires
specialized knowledge to perform. When considering data forensics
for IoT devices, there are a wealth of different types of data available
to support the objective of the acquisition, be it eDiscovery, misuse, or
evidence collection to support a criminal case.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 17: Incident Response Management Page 57
IoT Additional Discussion

IoT systems are generally operational and come with a complete

maintenance-oriented incident response and management subsystem
of technology and business processes. Cybersecurity incident
response and management controls should be integrated into
these maintenance operations. Operations personnel and incident
responders need to be trained on what unusual behavior looks like
for an IoT device. As IoT extends to support new business processes,
perform a mapping of IoT systems to those business processes. This
will aid in determining the continuity of operations planning (COOP)
approach to maintaining IoT operations. As with traditional incident
response processes, this part of the response process should be
tested or exercised regularly.

CIS Control 17: Incident Response Management

SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

17.1 Designate Personnel to Manage Appropriate staff-level and

Incident Handling
-Respond- • • • Yes
management personnel should
Designate one key person, and at least one backup, who will manage the enterprise’s be specifically appointed for IoT
incident handling process. Management personnel are responsible for the coordination incident response.
and documentation of incident response and recovery efforts and can consist of
employees internal to the enterprise, third-party vendors, or a hybrid approach. If using
a third-party vendor, designate at least one person internal to the enterprise to oversee
any third-party work. Review annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur
that could impact this Safeguard.
17.2 Establish and Maintain Contact Information for specific individuals
Information for Reporting -Respond- • • • Yes and external organizations should
Security Incidents be maintained for whom should be
Establish and maintain contact information for parties that need to be informed contacted regarding IoT incidents.
of security incidents. Contacts may include internal staff, third-party vendors, law
enforcement, cyber insurance providers, relevant government agencies, Information
Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) partners, or other stakeholders. Verify contacts
annually to ensure that information is up-to-date.
17.3 Establish and Maintain Standards for reporting IoT incidents
an Enterprise Process for -Respond- • • •
should be put in place that are
Yes
Reporting Incidents mandated across the enterprise. This
Establish and maintain an enterprise process for the workforce to report security should include time to report, types of
incidents. The process includes reporting timeframe, personnel to report to, mechanism anomalous events, and details of any
for reporting, and the minimum information to be reported. Ensure the process is relevant incident.
publicly available to all of the workforce. Review annually, or when significant enterprise
changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.
17.4 Establish and Maintain an Written plans for IoT breaches are key
Incident Response Process
-Respond- • • Yes
to IoT incident response.
Establish and maintain an incident response process that addresses roles and
responsibilities, compliance requirements, and a communication plan. Review annually,
or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 17: Incident Response Management Page 58
CIS Control 17: Incident Response Management
SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

17.5 Assign Key Roles and Especially if an enterprise is

Responsibilities
-Respond- • • Yes
supporting IoT devices, personnel
Assign key roles and responsibilities for incident response, including staff from legal, IT, should be dedicated to IoT.
information security, facilities, public relations, human resources, incident responders
and analysts, as applicable. Review annually, or when significant enterprise changes
occur that could impact this Safeguard.
17.6 Define Mechanisms for Processes for reporting IoT incidents
Communicating During Incident -Respond- • • Yes should be put in place that are
Response mandated across the enterprise. This
Determine which primary and secondary mechanisms will be used to communicate should include the time to report,
and report during a security incident. Mechanisms can include phone calls, emails, or types of anomalous events, and the
letters. Keep in mind that certain mechanisms, such as emails, can be affected during details of any relevant IoT incident.
a security incident. Review annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that
could impact this Safeguard.
17.7 Conduct Routine Incident IoT devices can be periodically
Response Exercises
-Recover- • • Yes
assessed in order to test IoT incident
Plan and conduct routine incident response exercises and scenarios for key personnel response procedures. This also helps
involved in the incident response process to prepare for responding to real-world to keep the necessary individuals
incidents. Exercises need to test communication channels, decision making, and aware of the IoT procedures.
workflows. Conduct testing on an annual basis, at a minimum.
17.8 Conduct Post-Incident Reviews -Recover- • • Yes Make sure to interview personnel
Conduct post-incident reviews. Post-incident reviews help prevent incident recurrence involved in IoT incident response in
through identifying lessons learned and follow-up action. order to ensure that all necessary
actions were performed, and that
procedures are updated to include
any new areas not initially envisioned.
17.9 Establish and Maintain Security Depending on their criticality to
Incident Thresholds
-Recover- • Yes
the enterprise, a security incident
Establish and maintain security incident thresholds, including, at a minimum, affecting IoT systems may be more or
differentiating between an incident and an event. Examples can include: abnormal less important to the enterprise.
activity, security vulnerability, security weakness, data breach, privacy incident, etc.
Review annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact
this Safeguard.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 17: Incident Response Management Page 59
 18 Penetration
CONTROL

Testing

Overview Test the effectiveness and resiliency of enterprise assets through

identifying and exploiting weaknesses in controls (people,
processes, and technology), and simulating the objectives and
actions of an attacker.

IoT Applicability

Using traditional penetration testing methods, to include identifying

open ports, existing services, and vulnerable software versions may
not necessarily apply to IoT. Legacy devices may need to be omitted
from penetration testing activities, especially if they are supporting
an important business function. Testing may bring them offline
and unable to easily return to service without causing business or
service interruption. IoT typically expands the threat model facing an
organization in unique ways that sometimes cannot be easily rectified
or mitigated.

IoT Challenges

Many IoT systems do not have mature IP stacks to scan. Errors in

scanning may severely impact business operations. All such tests
and scans should be tested thoroughly in a non-operational testbed
(including architectural review or even code review if possible),
preferably under simulated practical load-in operations. Strict rules
of engagement must be applied that preclude any possibility of
unintended, unexpected, or unwanted operational impact. A good
example is a realistic, offline, threat-driven scenario. The usage of
automated penetration testing tools with offline configurations can
give a hint as to how the real environment will perform.

Penetration testers and red team members should pay extra care in
securing authorization to perform vulnerability assessment and pen
testing activities on cloud-based services supporting IoT devices

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 18: Penetration Testing Page 60
 and any mobile devices with an application supporting an IoT device.
Specific user or service-level approval may be necessary, more than
what is typically provided by the enterprise.

IoT Additional Discussion

Areas of focus for penetration testing could include sniffing wireless

communications, reverse engineering firmware, and scanning for
unknown services. The use of a test lab and devices for more thorough
hardware examination is relevant to IoT. The Attify IoT Penetration
Testing Guide can be a useful starting point to begin IoT penetration
testing exercises. The use of IoT components within an enterprise
should result in a tailoring of pen tests and red team exercises to focus
specifically on methods to gain access to the network by leveraging
weaknesses in the design, configuration, or deployment of those
IoT components.

CIS Control 18: Penetration Testing

SAFEGUARD IMPLEMENTATION GROUPS APPLICABILITY

NUMBER TITLE/DESCRIPTION ASSET TYPE SECURITY FUNCTION IG1 IG2 IG3 INCLUDED? JUSTIFICATION

18.1 Establish and Maintain a A penetration testing program geared

Penetration Testing Program
N/A -Identify- • • Yes
toward IoT will include any relevant
Establish and maintain a penetration testing program appropriate to the size, IoT devices, applications, cloud
complexity, and maturity of the enterprise. Penetration testing program characteristics services, and gateways.
include scope, such as network, web application, Application Programming Interface
(API), hosted services, and physical premise controls; frequency; limitations, such as
acceptable hours, and excluded attack types; point of contact information; remediation,
such as how findings will be routed internally; and retrospective requirements.
18.2 Perform Periodic External The frequency of testing can be
Penetration Tests
Network -Identify- • • Yes
difficult to determine, especially when
Perform periodic external penetration tests based on program requirements, no less multiple versions of an app can be
than annually. External penetration testing must include enterprise and environmental pushed in a single day. This will be a
reconnaissance to detect exploitable information. Penetration testing requires decision decided by the enterprise
specialized skills and experience and must be conducted through a qualified party. The in question.
testing may be clear box or opaque box.
18.3 Remediate Penetration Test Penetration testing results applicable
Findings
Network -Protect- • • Yes
to IoT systems should be remediated.
Remediate penetration test findings based on the enterprise’s policy for remediation
scope and prioritization.
18.4 Validate Security Measures Network -Protect- • No There is nothing specific to IoT
Validate security measures after each penetration test. If deemed necessary, modify devices in this Safeguard.
rulesets and capabilities to detect the techniques used during testing.
18.5 Perform Periodic Internal Internal testing teams should
Penetration Tests
N/A -Identify- • Yes
review the security of IoT devices
Perform periodic internal penetration tests based on program requirements, no less and supporting infrastructure on a
than annually. The testing may be clear box or opaque box. regular basis.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Control 18: Penetration Testing Page 61
APPENDIX A

Acronyms and Abbreviations

6LoWPAN IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal ISAC Information Sharing & Analysis Center
Area Network  IT Information Technology
ACK Acknowledge JTAG Joint Test Action Group
AD Active Directory LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
AoC Attestation of Compliance MAC Media Access Control (address)
API Application Programming Interface MDM Mobile Device Management
ARP Address Resolution Protocol MFA Multi-Factor Authentication
CIS Center for Internet Security MUD Manufacturer Usage Description
COOP Continuity of Operations Planning NIST National Institute of Standards
CSP Cloud Service Provider and Technology
cTLS compact Transport Layer Security OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
CVSS Common Vulnerability Scoring System OS Operating System
DDoS Distributed Denial of Service  OSCOAP Object Security of Constrained
DEP Data Execution Prevention Application Protocol
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol OWASP Open Web Application Security Project
DKIM DomainKeys Identified Mail PCI Payment Card Industry
DLP Data Loss Prevention PIN Personal Identification Number
DMARC Domain-based Message Authentication, PKI Public Key Infrastructure
Reporting and Conformance REST(ful) Representational State Transfer 
DNS Domain Name System  RF Radio Frequency 
DSS Data Security Standard RFID Radio Frequency Identifier
dTLS datagram Transport Layer Security RSU Roadside Unit
EDR Endpoint Detection and Response RTOS Real-Time Operating System
EMM Enterprise Mobility Management SIEM Security Information and Event Management
GDPR General Data Protection Regulation SP Special Publication
HART Highway Addressable Remote Transducer SPF Sender Policy Framework
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and SoHo Small office home office
Accountability Act SSID Service Set Identifier 
IDS Intrusion Detection System  SYN Synchronization
IEEE Institute of Electrical and TCP Transmission Control Protocol
Electronics Engineers  TLS Transport Layer Security 
IETF Internet Engineering Task Force TTPs Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures
IG Implementation Groups UEM Unified Endpoint Management
IoT Internet of Things URL Uniform Resource Locator
IP Internet Protocol WAN Wide Area Network
IPS Intrusion Prevention System Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
IPSec IP Security WPA2-PSK Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Pre-Shared Key

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Appendix A: Acronyms and Abbreviations Page A1
APPENDIX B

Links and Resources

• CIS Controls – https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/

• CIS Controls Cloud Companion Guide – https://www.cisecurity.

org/white-papers/cis-controls-cloud-companion-guide/
• CIS Controls Mobile Companion Guide – https://www.cisecurity.
org/white-papers/cis-controls-v8-mobile-companion-guide
• Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) – https://www.
first.org/cvss/
• DDoS in the IoT: Mirai and Other Botnets – https://ieeexplore.
ieee.org/abstract/document/7971869
• ICS Cert – https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/

• ICS ISAC – http://ics-isac.org/blog/

• Gartner’s IT Glossary – https://www.gartner.com/en/information-
technology/glossary/internet-of-things
• NIST SP 800-160 Revision 1 – https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/
detail/sp/800-160/vol-1/final
• NIST SP 800-163 Revision 3 – https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3

• OWASP IoT Project – https://www.owasp.org/index.php/OWASP_

Internet_of_Things_Project
• OWASP IoT Testing Guide – https://github.com/scriptingxss/
owasp-fstm
• The Internet of Things: An Overview – https://www.
internetsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ISOC-IoT-
Overview-20151221-en.pdf
• Towards a Definition of the Internet of Things – https://iot.ieee.
org/images/files/pdf/IEEE_IoT_Towards_Definition_Internet_of_
Things_Issue1_14MAY15.pdf

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Appendix B: Links and Resources Page B1
APPENDIX C

Closing Notes
In this guide, we provide guidance on how to apply the security
best practices found in CIS Controls Version 8 to IoT environments.
The newest version of the CIS Controls and other complementary
documents may be found at www.cisecurity.org.

As a nonprofit organization driven by its volunteers, we are always

in the process of looking for new topics and assistance in creating
cybersecurity guidance. If you are interested in volunteering and/or
have questions, comments, or have identified ways to improve this
guide, please write us at: [email protected].

All references to tools or other products in this guide are provided for
informational purposes only, and do not represent the endorsement by
CIS of any particular company, product, or technology.

Contact Information

CIS
31 Tech Valley Drive
East Greenbush, N.Y. 12061
518.266.3460
[email protected]

Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. Apple® Is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and
other countries. Bitlocker® are PowerShell® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. The OWASP® Word Mark Is a registered mark of
OWASP Foundation, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use strictly prohibited.

CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide Appendix C: Closing Notes Page C1
The Center for Internet Security, Inc. (CIS®) makes the connected
world a safer place for people, businesses, and governments through
our core competencies of collaboration and innovation. We are a
community-driven nonprofit, responsible for the CIS Controls® and
CIS Benchmarks™, globally recognized best practices for securing IT
systems and data. We lead a global community of IT professionals
to continuously evolve these standards and provide products and
services to proactively safeguard against emerging threats.

Our CIS Hardened Images® provide secure, on-demand, scalable

computing environments in the cloud. CIS is home to the Multi‑State
Information Sharing and Analysis Center® (MS-ISAC®), the trusted
resource for cyber threat prevention, protection, response, and
recovery for U.S. State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial government entities,
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Center® (EI‑ISAC®), which supports the rapidly changing cybersecurity
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To learn more, visit www.cisecurity.org or follow us on Twitter:

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CIS Controls Internet of Things Companion Guide