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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

Terms that appear alongside asset discovery

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

Frameworks that govern asset discovery

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on asset discovery

Requirements naming asset discovery across 5 standards, quoted from the control text.

Australian Information Security Manual1 control

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

ISM-1807 · An automated method of asset discovery is used at least fortnightly to support the detecti →
CIS Controls v81 control

Use a passive discovery tool to identify assets connected to the enterprise’s network. Review and use scans to update the enterprise’s asset inventory at least weekly, or more frequently.

CIS-1.5 · Use a Passive Asset Discovery Tool →
NSA Guidance for Transition to Quantum-Resistant Cryptography1 control

Discover and inventory all cryptographic assets including libraries, protocols, keys, certificates, and embedded uses across the organisation as foundation for next-generation algorithm transition.

QRMIG-02 · Cryptographic Asset Discovery →
ACSC Essential Eight2 controls

An automated method of asset discovery is used at least fortnightly. A vulnerability scanner with an up-to-date vulnerability database is used.

E8-PATCHOS-ML1 · Patch Operating Systems (ML1) →
NIST SP 800-1371 control

Integrate ISCM with Incident Response per Section 4.7 including: SIEM alerts feeding IR + threat hunting + playbook automation per SOAR (Cortex XSOAR + Splunk SOAR + Tines + Swimlane + Microsoft Sentinel Playbooks) + Continuous Adversary Emulation per MITRE Ca...

NISTSP137-7 · Incident Response Integration and Ongoing Authorization →

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 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Asset Discovery?
Asset Discovery appears in the requirement text of Australian Information Security Manual, CIS Controls v8, NSA Guidance for Transition to Quantum-Resistant Cryptography, ACSC Essential Eight, NIST SP 800-137. Across these standards we have identified 6 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 686 frameworks.

See how Asset Discovery applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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