PE-03 Physical Access Control
Physical and Environmental Protection
Description
a. Enforce physical access authorizations at [Assignment: organization-defined entry and exit points to the facility where the system resides] by: 1. Verifying individual access authorizations before granting access to the facility; and 2. Controlling ingress and egress to the facility using [Selection (one or more): [Assignment: organization-defined physical access control systems or devices]; guards]; b. Maintain physical access audit logs for [Assignment: organization-defined entry or exit points]; c. Control access to areas within the facility designated as publicly accessible by implementing the following controls: [Assignment: organization-defined physical access controls]; d. Escort visitors and control visitor activity [Assignment: organization-defined circumstances requiring visitor escorts and control of visitor activity]; e. Secure keys, combinations, and other physical access devices; f. Inventory [Assignment: organization-defined physical access devices] every [Assignment: organization-defined frequency]; and g. Change combinations and keys [Assignment: organization-defined frequency] and/or when keys are lost, combinations are compromised, or when individuals possessing the keys or combinations are transferred or terminated.
Supplemental Guidance
Physical access control applies to employees and visitors. Individuals with permanent physical access authorizations are not considered visitors. Physical access controls for publicly accessible areas may include physical access control logs/records, guards, or physical access devices and barriers to prevent movement from publicly accessible areas to non-public areas. Organizations determine the types of guards needed, including professional security staff, system users, or administrative staff. Physical access devices include keys, locks, combinations, biometric readers, and card readers. Physical access control systems comply with applicable laws, executive orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidelines. Organizations have flexibility in the types of audit logs employed. Audit logs can be procedural, automated, or some combination thereof. Physical access points can include facility access points, interior access points to systems that require supplemental access controls, or both. Components of systems may be in areas designated as publicly accessible with organizations controlling access to the components.
Changes from Rev 4
Parameter from 'security safeguards' to 'physical access controls' Parameter changed from 'monitoring' to 'control of visitor activity' Discussion expanded to address physical access controls for publicly accessible areas
Enhancements (7)
What NIST adds to this control. Select one to read its statement.
PE-03(01) System Access High
Enforce physical access authorizations to the system in addition to the physical access controls for the facility at [Assignment: organization-defined physical spaces containing one or more components of the system].
PE-03(02) Facility and Systems
Perform security checks [Assignment: organization-defined frequency] at the physical perimeter of the facility or system for exfiltration of information or removal of system components.
PE-03(03) Continuous Guards
Employ guards to control [Assignment: organization-defined physical access points] to the facility where the system resides 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
PE-03(04) Lockable Casings
Use lockable physical casings to protect [Assignment: organization-defined system components] from unauthorized physical access.
PE-03(05) Tamper Protection
Employ [Assignment: organization-defined anti-tamper technologies] to [Selection (one or more): detect; prevent] physical tampering or alteration of [Assignment: organization-defined hardware components] within the system.
PE-03(07) Physical Barriers
Limit access using physical barriers.
PE-03(08) Access Control Vestibules
Employ access control vestibules at [Assignment: organization-defined locations within the facility].
Withdrawn by NIST:
- PE-03(06) Facility Penetration Testing, now in CA-08
Patterns that use this control (8)
Grouped by the emphasis each pattern gives it.