Full Packet Capture as Strategic and Regulatory Imperative
Endace partnered with SANS to review a wide range of cybersecurity regulations around the globe. This report, by Matt Bromiley, Certified Instructor at SANS, examines at how always-on packet capture enables organizations to comply with these key regulations, while also providing an essential foundation of effective cyber defense.
The report also includes detailed “tear-sheets” which outline how always-on full packet capture enables compliance with the specific requirements of key regulations and frameworks including Zero Trust, NIST CSF, ISO 27-001, NIS2 Directive, Australian ISM and more.
This page provides the information specific to the Australian ISM framework. See the overview of the full research study here:
Enabling Australia ISM Compliance
The Information Security Manual (ISM) is Australia’s cybersecurity framework produced by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). It is widely used by organizations to protect their IT and OT systems, applications, and data from cyber threats. The ISM mandates comprehensive network monitoring, data packet logging, and centralized event management across all security classification levels (NC, OS, P, S, TS). The framework is intended for government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and organizations handling classified information.
There are specific controls requiring detailed logging of network traffic and security events. Compliance isn’t optional, and the cost of falling short is significant. Failing to meet ISM requirements may result in regulatory penalties, loss of government contracts, and/or suspension of operations and system accreditation.
For Australian CISOs, risk officers, and executive leadership, ISM compliance is not just a regulatory mandate; it doubles as a strategic operational requirement. It enables operational continuity, preserves trust with government partners, and enables organizations to participate confidently in national security initiatives. Simultaneously, Australia cybersecurity teams are under intense pressure related to:
- Advanced persistent threats targeting government and critical infrastructure
- Complex multi-classification environments requiring unified visibility
- Incident response times that must meet strict ASD reporting requirements with constrained resources
Full packet capture (FPC) solutions directly address ISM’s core requirements while providing comprehensive network visibility, forensic-grade evidence collection, and enhanced incident response capabilities. Australian organizations can detect and investigate threats faster, retain and manage forensic data, and reduce operational complexity.
Note that FPC solutions don’t replace existing tools in an Australian security stack; they enhance them. By serving as a common evidence foundation across ASD tools, SIEM platforms, and threat sharing initiatives, FPC transforms fragmented security alerts into actionable intelligence.
ISM compliance demands operationally excellent and continuous monitoring across all classification levels. Enterprise FPC gives Australian organizations the capability to meet these expectations with confidence, speed, and accountability. Leading FPC solutions are already enabling entities to achieve and sustain ISM compliance with minimal operational risk.
Australia ISM Compliance Framework
The tearsheet below references the ISM control framework to show where and how FPC supports compliance in various domains, helping Australian organizations turn regulatory requirements into operational readiness and mission resilience.
Who is Endace?
Endace specializes in scalable, high-speed, high-performance packet capture. Our solutions are used by some of world’s biggest organizations on some of the fastest networks on the planet.
If you are looking for a packet capture solution, we’d love to show you why Endace is the best choice. Contact us to book a demo or ask a question.