Skip to content

VLAN

What is VLAN?

Virtual Local Area Network, a logical network segment created within a physical network to isolate traffic and improve security through network segmentation.

Information Security

Terms that appear alongside vlan

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

Frameworks that govern vlan

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

What the standards actually require on vlan

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

Australian Information Security Manual5 controls

Network devices managing VLANs are administered from the most trusted security domain.

ISM-0530 · Network devices managing VLANs are administered from the most trusted security domain. →
ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications2 controls

Security Layer 1 Infrastructure per X.805 Clause 7.1: The Infrastructure Security Layer consists of network facilities (transmission facilities and network elements) protected by the security measures.

X805-Layer1-Infrastructure-Security-Transmission-Facilities-Network-Elements-Lines-Routers-Switches · ITU-T X.805 Security Layer 1 - Infrastructure Security + Transmission Facilities + Network Elements + Routers + Switches + Lines + Physical + Datacenter + Optical + Radio Access + Wireless + Wireline + Edge →
CISA Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Guidance1 control

Design ICS network architecture using defined zones, a demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the control network and the corporate/enterprise network, and VLAN segmentation to separate functions and contain compromise.

CISA-ICS-DID-24 · ICS Network Architecture →
IEC 62351 - Power Systems Communication Security1 control

Security for IEC 61850 protocol profiles using VLAN marks and X.509 signatures on GOOSE and SMV telegrams

62351-6 · Security for IEC 61850 profiles →
IMO Maritime Cybersecurity Guidelines (MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.2)1 control

Protect is the second of five functional elements per MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.2. Activities include: (1) Access Control - identity and access management for IT + OT systems + role-based access + least privilege + privileged access management (PAM) for OT engineer...

IMO-MSC-FAL-Protect-AccessControl-NetworkSegmentation-MalwareDefence-Patch-Awareness-DataSecurity · IMO MSC-FAL Protect Function - Access Control + Network Segmentation + Malware Defence + Patch Management + Awareness Training + Data Security + Crew BYOD + Removable Media →
Kuwait National Cybersecurity Framework1 control

Kuwait NCF Protect function (Infrastructure). Network Security and Segmentation: defense in depth + perimeter (firewall + WAF + DDoS mitigation) + internal segmentation (microsegmentation + VLAN + zero-trust network access ZTNA) + east-west traffic inspection...

KNCF-Protect-Network-Configuration-Vulnerability-Physical-Secure-SDLC-Hardening-Patching-Drift · Kuwait NCF Protect + Network + Configuration + Vulnerability + Physical + Secure SDLC →

Questions people ask about vlan

What is VLAN?
Virtual Local Area Network, a logical network segment created within a physical network to isolate traffic and improve security through network segmentation.
Why is VLAN important for compliance?
VLAN is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding vlan 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 VLAN?
VLAN appears in the requirement text of Australian Information Security Manual, ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications, CISA Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Guidance, IEC 62351 - Power Systems Communication Security, IMO Maritime Cybersecurity Guidelines (MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.2). Across these standards we have identified 11 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about VLAN?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how vlan 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 VLAN 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.