PE-3: Physical Access Control
Control Family:
CSF v1.1 References:
PF v1.0 References:
Threats Addressed:
Baselines:
Previous Version:
- NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 4:
- PE-3: Physical Access Control
Control Statement
- Enforce physical access authorizations at [Assignment: organization-defined entry and exit points] by:
- Verifying individual access authorizations before granting access to the facility; and
- Controlling ingress and egress to the facility using [Assignment (one or more): [Assignment: organization-defined systems or devices] , guards];
- Maintain physical access audit logs for [Assignment: organization-defined entry or exit points];
- Control access to areas within the facility designated as publicly accessible by implementing the following controls: [Assignment: organization-defined physical access controls];
- Escort visitors and control visitor activity [Assignment: organization-defined circumstances];
- Secure keys, combinations, and other physical access devices;
- Inventory [Assignment: organization-defined physical access devices] every [Assignment: organization-defined frequency] ; and
- 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.
OT Discussion
The organization considers OT safety and security interdependencies and access requirements in emergency situations. During an emergency, the organization may restrict access to OT facilities and assets to authorized individuals only. OT systems are often constructed of devices that do not have or cannot use comprehensive access control capabilities due to timerestrictive safety constraints. Physical access controls and defense-in-depth measures are used by the organization when necessary and possible to supplement OT security when electronic mechanisms are unable to fulfill the security requirements of the organization’s security plan.
Control Enhancements
PE-3(1): System Access
Baseline(s):
- High
- OT High (SP 800-82r3)
Enforce physical access authorizations to the system in addition to the physical access controls for the facility at [Assignment: organization-defined physical spaces].
PE-3(2): Facility and Systems
Baseline(s):
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-3(3): Continuous Guards
Baseline(s):
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-3(4): Lockable Casings
Baseline(s):
Use lockable physical casings to protect [Assignment: organization-defined system components] from unauthorized physical access.
PE-3(5): Tamper Protection
Baseline(s):
Employ [Assignment: organization-defined anti-tamper technologies] to [Assignment (one or more): detect, prevent] physical tampering or alteration of [Assignment: organization-defined hardware components] within the system.
PE-3(7): Physical Barriers
Baseline(s):
Limit access using physical barriers.
PE-3(8): Access Control Vestibules
Baseline(s):
Employ access control vestibules at [Assignment: organization-defined locations].