4.2 Cabling

Description

Cabling of IT systems covers all cables and passive components (jumper distributors/splice distributors) of networks, from any existing delivery point of an extraneous network (telephone, ISDN) to the terminal points of network subscribers. Active network components (repeater, star coupler, bridge, etc.) are not dealt with in this Chapter.

Threat Scenario

The following threats (T) are assumed as regards IT baseline protection with regard to cabling:

Force Majeure:

• T 1.6 Burning cables

Organisational Shortcomings:

• T 2.11 Insufficient bandwidth planning
• T 2.12 Insufficient documentation on cabling
• T 2.13 Inadequately protected distributors
• T 2.32 Inadequate line bandwidth

Human Failure:

• T 3.4 Inadmissible connection of cables
• T 3.5 Inadvertent damaging of cables

Technical Failure:

• T 4.4 Impairment of lines due to environmental factors
• T 4.5 Cross-talk
• T 4.21 Transient currents on shielding

Deliberate Acts:

• T 5.7 Interception of lines
• T 5.8 Manipulation of lines

Recommended Countermeasures (S)

For the implementation of IT baseline protection, selection of the required packages of safeguards ("modules") as described in chapters 2.3 and 2.4, is recommended.
In the following, the countermeasure package for "Cabling" is set out:

Infrastructure:

• S 1.9 (1) Fire sealing of trays
• S 1.20 (3) Selection of cable types suited in terms of their physical/mechanical properties (when providing new networks with cables)
• S 1.21 (2) Sufficient dimensioning of lines (when providing new networks with cables)
• S 1.22 (3) Physical protection of lines and distributors (optional)
• S 1.39 (3) Prevention of transient currents on shielding

Organisation:

• S 2.19 (2) Neutral documentation in distributors
• S 2.20 (3) Monitoring of existing lines (optional)

Communications:

• S 5.1 (3) Removal, or short-circuiting and grounding, of unneeded lines
• S 5.2 (2) Selection of an appropriate network topography (when providing new networks with cables)
• S 5.3 (2) Selection of cables types suited in terms of communication technology (when providing new networks with cables)
• S 5.4 (2) Documentation on, and marking of, cabling
• S 5.5 (2) Damage-minimising routing of cables (when providing new networks with cables)

Contingency Planning:

• S 6.18 (3) Provision of redundant lines (optional)

© Copyright by Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik 2000

Last Update on 6 April 2000