Standards Comparison

    OSHA

    Mandatory
    1970

    US federal regulation for workplace safety standards

    VS

    APRA CPS 234

    Mandatory
    2019

    Australian prudential standard for information security resilience

    Quick Verdict

    OSHA ensures US workplace safety through hazard standards and enforcement, while APRA CPS 234 mandates Australian financial firms' cyber resilience with board accountability, testing, and 72-hour incident reporting. Organizations adopt them for legal compliance and risk reduction.

    Occupational Safety

    OSHA

    29 CFR 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Mandates hazard-free workplaces via General Duty Clause
    • Codifies detailed standards in 29 CFR 1910
    • Enforces hierarchy of controls prioritizing engineering
    • Requires OSHA 300 logs and electronic reporting
    • Imposes risk-based inspections and civil penalties
    Information Security

    APRA CPS 234

    APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 Information Security

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Board ultimate responsibility for information security
    • Commensurate capability with threats and vulnerabilities
    • Systematic testing and independent assurance required
    • 72-hour notification for material incidents to APRA
    • Third-party information asset management obligations

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    OSHA Details

    What It Is

    OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 as a federal regulatory agency. It enforces standards in 29 CFR 1910 for general industry, assuring safe working conditions nationwide by addressing hazards through specific rules and the General Duty Clause. Its performance-based approach prioritizes prevention via hierarchy of controls.

    Key Components

    • Subparts A-Z covering surfaces, PPE, HazCom, LOTO, toxic substances (Subpart Z).
    • **Hierarchy of controlselimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE.
    • Recordkeeping (OSHA 300/300A/301), electronic submission, inspections.
    • Enforced via citations; voluntary VPP for recognition.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Legal mandate avoids penalties up to $165,514.
    • Reduces injuries/illnesses, cuts costs, boosts productivity.
    • Builds reputation, meets insurance/ESG demands.

    Implementation Overview

    • Systems-based: IIPP, hazard assessments, training, audits.
    • Applies to most US employers; state plans enhance.
    • Ongoing compliance, no certification required.

    APRA CPS 234 Details

    What It Is

    APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 (Information Security) is a binding prudential regulation issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, effective 1 July 2019. It mandates APRA-regulated entities like banks, insurers, and super funds to maintain information security capabilities commensurate with threats to minimize incidents impacting confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information assets. The approach is risk-based and proportionate to asset criticality and sensitivity.

    Key Components

    • Governance with Board ultimate responsibility and defined roles.
    • Information asset classification, commensurate controls, policy framework.
    • Systematic testing, independent assurance, incident response plans.
    • 72-hour notification for material incidents; 10-day for control weaknesses. No fixed control count; focuses on outcomes with third-party extensions.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for compliance to avoid penalties, remediation orders. Enhances resilience, reduces operational risk, builds customer trust, enables partnerships. Provides competitive edge through robust security posture.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, governance, asset register, controls, testing, monitoring. Applies to all sizes in APRA sectors (Australia). Requires evidence packs, internal audit; no formal certification but APRA supervision.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    OSHA
    Workplace safety, health hazards, recordkeeping
    APRA CPS 234
    Information security, cyber resilience, third-party assets

    Industry

    OSHA
    General industry, construction, US-wide
    APRA CPS 234
    Australian financial services (banks, insurers)

    Nature

    OSHA
    Mandatory US federal standards, civil penalties
    APRA CPS 234
    Mandatory prudential standard, supervisory actions

    Testing

    OSHA
    Program inspections, no mandatory cyber testing
    APRA CPS 234
    Systematic control testing, annual response plans

    Penalties

    OSHA
    Civil fines up to $165k per willful violation
    APRA CPS 234
    Remediation orders, license restrictions, no fixed fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about OSHA and APRA CPS 234

    OSHA FAQ

    APRA CPS 234 FAQ

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