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Asset Discovery

What is Asset Discovery?

The process of identifying and cataloging all hardware, software, and data assets within an organization's IT environment to maintain an accurate inventory.

Information Security

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as asset discovery. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on asset discovery

Requirements naming asset discovery across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

An automated method of asset discovery is used at least fortnightly to support the detection of assets for subsequent vulnerability scanning activities.

ISM-1807 · Fortnightly automated asset discovery →

Run a passive discovery tool that finds the assets attached to the enterprise network. Examine its scan results and apply them to the asset register no less often than weekly.

CIS-1.5 · Use a Passive Asset Discovery Tool →

Add passive discovery, which listens to network traffic to spot connected devices, and use its findings to bring the asset register up to date weekly or more often.

cis-controls-v8-1::1.5 · Use a Passive Asset Discovery Tool →

Where in-house capability is limited, third parties can assist, including active penetration testing of critical OT and IT to check actual against intended defence (simulating IT attacks, social engineering or physical intrusion), though for OT this may suit o...

BIMCO-6.3 · Third party risk assessments →

Management tracks and monitors all hardware assets whether or not connected to the network through an accurate hardware inventory, identifies unauthorised assets and decides whether to remove, isolate or add them, evaluates how an unauthorised device gained ac...

ffiec-it-examination-handbook::AIO-V.A · V.A Hardware (Architecture, Infrastructure, and Operations) →

Questions people ask about asset discovery

What is Asset Discovery?
The process of identifying and cataloging all hardware, software, and data assets within an organization's IT environment to maintain an accurate inventory.
Why is Asset Discovery important for compliance?
Asset Discovery is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding asset discovery helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Asset Discovery?
Asset Discovery appears in the requirement text of ACSC Essential Eight, Australian Information Security Manual, CIS Controls v8, CIS Controls v8.1, BIMCO Cyber Security. Across these standards we have identified 7 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Asset Discovery?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how asset discovery applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 1,016 frameworks.

See how Asset Discovery applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.