Skip to content

Protocol Security

What is Protocol Security?

Security measures and best practices for protecting network communication protocols from exploitation, misuse, and vulnerabilities.

Information Security

Terms that appear alongside protocol security

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

Frameworks that govern protocol security

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on protocol security

Requirements naming protocol security across 4 standards, quoted from the control text.

Australian Information Security Manual1 control

Communications between authenticators and a RADIUS server are encapsulated with an additional layer of encryption using RADIUS over Internet Protocol Security or RADIUS over Transport Layer Security.

ISM-1454 · Communications between authenticators and a RADIUS server are encapsulated with an additio →
DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs)1 control

Harden network devices (routers, switches, firewalls, VPN concentrators, wireless) in accordance with the applicable network STIGs, covering device management, routing-protocol security, boundary protection and remote access.

STIG-SRG-NET · Network device STIG hardening →
IEEE 16861 control

Section 5.4 establishes communication port access and protocol security requirements for IEDs. Per public IEEE 1686 abstract + vendor capability statements (full IEEE text NOT reproduced): communication port access control + port enable/disable + role-based pe...

IEEE1686-Section5.4-Communications-PortAccess-EncryptedRemote-Crypto · IEEE 1686 Section 5.4 - Communication Port Access + Encrypted Remote + Cryptography + Ports and Services + IEC 61850 + IEC 60870-5 + DNP3 SAv5 →
O-RAN WG11 Security Specification1 control

Implement cryptography + protocol security + PKI per O-RAN WG11 Security Requirements covering TLS + SSH + IPsec + certificate lifecycle.

ORANWG11-3 · Cryptography, TLS, SSH, IPsec, and PKI Lifecycle Management →

Questions people ask about protocol security

What is Protocol Security?
Security measures and best practices for protecting network communication protocols from exploitation, misuse, and vulnerabilities.
Why is Protocol Security important for compliance?
Protocol Security is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding protocol security 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 Protocol Security?
Protocol Security appears in the requirement text of Australian Information Security Manual, DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), IEEE 1686, O-RAN WG11 Security Specification. Across these standards we have identified 4 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Protocol Security?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how protocol security 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 Protocol Security applies across compliance frameworks

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

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