OSHA
US federal regulation for workplace safety standards
APRA CPS 234
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.
OSHA
29 CFR 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards
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
APRA CPS 234
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 Information Security
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
| Aspect | OSHA | APRA CPS 234 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Workplace safety, health hazards, recordkeeping | Information security, cyber resilience, third-party assets |
| Industry | General industry, construction, US-wide | Australian financial services (banks, insurers) |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal standards, civil penalties | Mandatory prudential standard, supervisory actions |
| Testing | Program inspections, no mandatory cyber testing | Systematic control testing, annual response plans |
| Penalties | Civil fines up to $165k per willful violation | Remediation orders, license restrictions, no fixed fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OSHA and APRA CPS 234
OSHA FAQ
APRA CPS 234 FAQ
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