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PES-03: Physical Access Control

PES 10 — Critical Protect

Physical access control mechanisms exist to enforce physical access authorizations for all physical access points (including designated entry/exit points) to facilities (excluding those areas within the facility officially designated as publicly accessible).

Control Question: Does the organization enforce physical access authorizations for all physical access points (including designated entry/exit points) to facilities (excluding those areas within the facility officially designated as publicly accessible)?

General (48)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC6.4 CC6.4-POF1 CC6.4-POF2
COBIT 2019 DSS01.05 DSS05.05
CSA CCM 4 DCS-07 LOG-12
CSA IoT SCF 2 PHY-01
ENISA 2.0 SO9
GovRAMP Low PE-03
GovRAMP Low+ PE-03
GovRAMP Moderate PE-03
GovRAMP High PE-03
ISO 27002 2022 5.15 5.18 7.1 7.4
ISO 27017 2015 11.1.1
MPA Content Security Program 5.1 OP-3.2 PS-1.0 PS-1.2 PS-1.5 PS-2.0
NIST Privacy Framework 1.0 PR.AC-P2
NIST 800-53 R4 PE-3 PE-3(2) PE-3(3)
NIST 800-53 R4 (low) PE-3
NIST 800-53 R4 (moderate) PE-3
NIST 800-53 R4 (high) PE-3
NIST 800-53 R5 (source) PE-3 PE-3(2) PE-3(3)
NIST 800-53B R5 (low) (source) PE-3
NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) PE-3
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) PE-3
NIST 800-53 R5 (NOC) (source) PE-3(2) PE-3(3)
NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay PE-3
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay PE-3
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay PE-3
NIST 800-161 R1 PE-3 PE-3(2)
NIST 800-161 R1 C-SCRM Baseline PE-3
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 PE-3 PE-3(2)
NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 PE-3 PE-3(2)
NIST 800-171 R2 (source) 3.10.3 3.10.5
NIST 800-171A (source) 3.10.5[a] 3.10.5[b] 3.10.5[c]
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.10.02.a 03.10.07.a 03.10.07.a.01 03.10.07.a.02 03.10.07.d
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.04.05[03] A.03.10.07.a.02 A.03.10.07.d
NIST 800-172 3.1.2e
NIST CSF 2.0 (source) DE.CM-02 PR.AA PR.AA-06
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 9.1 9.1.2 9.2 9.2.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) 9.2.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) 9.2.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) 9.2.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 9.1.2 9.2.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 9.1.2 9.2.1
SWIFT CSF 2023 3.1
TISAX ISA 6 8.1.3
SCF CORE Fundamentals PES-03
SCF CORE Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures (MA&D) PES-03
SCF CORE ESP Level 1 Foundational PES-03
SCF CORE ESP Level 2 Critical Infrastructure PES-03
SCF CORE ESP Level 3 Advanced Threats PES-03
US (36)
Framework Mapping Values
US C2M2 2.1 ACCESS-3.A.MIL1 ACCESS-3.D.MIL2 ACCESS-3.E.MIL2 ACCESS-3.F.MIL2 ACCESS-3.G.MIL2 ACCESS-3.H.MIL2 ACCESS-3.J.MIL3
US CERT RMM 1.2 AM:SG1.SP1 EC:SG2.SP1 EC:SG2.SP2
US CJIS Security Policy 5.9.3 (source) 5.9.1.3
US CMMC 2.0 Level 1 (source) PE.L1-B.1.IX
US CMMC 2.0 Level 1 AOs (source) PE.L1-B.1.IX[a] PE.L1-B.1.IX[b] PE.L1-B.1.IX[c] PE.L1-B.1.IX[d] PE.L1-B.1.IX[e] PE.L1-B.1.IX[f]
US CMMC 2.0 Level 2 (source) PE.L2-3.10.3 PE.L2-3.10.5
US CMMC 2.0 Level 3 (source) AC.L3-3.1.2E PE.L2-3.10.5
US CMS MARS-E 2.0 PE-3
US FAR 52.204-21 52.204-21(b)(1)(ix)
US FedRAMP R4 PE-3
US FedRAMP R4 (low) PE-3
US FedRAMP R4 (moderate) PE-3
US FedRAMP R4 (high) PE-3
US FedRAMP R4 (LI-SaaS) PE-3
US FedRAMP R5 (source) PE-3
US FedRAMP R5 (low) (source) PE-3
US FedRAMP R5 (moderate) (source) PE-3
US FedRAMP R5 (high) (source) PE-3
US FedRAMP R5 (LI-SaaS) (source) PE-3
US FFIEC D3.PC.Am.B.11 D3.PC.Am.B.17
US HIPAA Administrative Simplification 2013 (source) 164.310(a)(2)(ii) 164.310(a)(2)(iii) 164.310(c)
US HIPAA Security Rule / NIST SP 800-66 R2 (source) 164.310(a)(2)(ii) 164.310(a)(2)(iii) 164.310(c)
US HIPAA HICP Small Practice 6.S.B
US HIPAA HICP Medium Practice 5.M.C 6.M.E
US HIPAA HICP Large Practice 5.M.C 6.M.E
US IRS 1075 2.B.3 2.B.3.2 2.B.3.5 PE-3 PE-3(2)
US NERC CIP 2024 (source) CIP-006-6 1.1 CIP-006-6 1.10 CIP-006-6 1.3 CIP-006-6 1.5
US NISPOM 2020 5-300 6-104
US NNPI (unclass) 10.6 11.1 11.2 11.3
US - CA CCPA 2025 7123(c)(3)(D)
US - MA 201 CMR 17.00 17.03(2)(g)
US - OR 646A 622(2)(d)(C)(ii)
US - TX DIR Control Standards 2.0 PE-3
US - TX TX-RAMP Level 1 PE-3
US - TX TX-RAMP Level 2 PE-3
US - VT Act 171 of 2018 2447(b)(7)
EMEA (9)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 13.1.2(c) 13.3.1 13.3.2(b)
EMEA Germany C5 2020 PS-03 PS-04
EMEA Israel CDMO 1.0 9.15 12.27 18.4
EMEA Saudi Arabia ECC-1 2018 2-14-3-1
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 2-13-1-3
EMEA Saudi Arabia SACS-002 TPC-47 TPC-82 TPC-86
EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 8.1.1 [MP.IF.1]
EMEA UAE NIAF 3.2.2
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 1500
APAC (6)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2024 ISM-1296
APAC India SEBI CSCRF PR.AA.S10
APAC Japan ISMAP 11.1.1
APAC New Zealand HISF 2022 HHSP48 HML48 HSUP40
APAC New Zealand HISF Suppliers 2023 HSUP40
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 8.5.6(c) 5.5.6(f)
Americas (2)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada OSFI B-13 3.2.10
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 03.10.02.A 03.10.07.A 03.10.07.A.01 03.10.07.A.02 03.10.07.D

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

There is no evidence of a capability to enforce physical access authorizations for all physical access points (including designated entry/exit points) to facilities (excluding those areas within the facility officially designated as publicly accessible).

Level 1 — Performed Informally

C|P-CMM1 is N/A, since a structured process is required to enforce physical access authorizations for all physical access points (including designated entry/exit points) to facilities (excluding those areas within the facility officially designated as publicly accessible).

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Physical & Environmental Security (PES) efforts are requirements-driven and governed at a local/regional level, but are not consistent across the organization. CMM Level 2 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • Physical access control is decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
  • IT/cybersecurity personnel identify cybersecurity and data protection controls that are appropriate to address applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements for physical access control.
  • Human Resources, or a similar function, maintains a current list of personnel with authorized access to organizational facilities and facilitates the implementation of physical access management controls.
  • Physical security controls are primarily administrative in nature (e.g., policies & standards).
  • Physical controls, administrative processes and technologies are primarily designed and implemented for offices, rooms and facilities that focus on protecting High Value Assets (HVAs), including environments where sensitive/regulated data is stored, transmitted and processed.
  • A facilities maintenance team, or similar function, manages the operation of automated physical and environmental protection controls.
  • Physical controls and technologies are configured to enforce physical access authorizations for all physical access points (including designated entry/exit points) to facilities (excluding those areas within the facility officially designated as publicly accessible).
Level 3 — Well Defined

Physical & Environmental Security (PES) efforts are standardized across the organization and centrally managed, where technically feasible, to ensure consistency. CMM Level 3 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist: o Performs the centralized-management of physical security controls across the enterprise. o Maintains a current list of personnel with authorized access to organizational facilities and implements physical access management controls.

  • A physical security team, or similar function:
  • A facilities maintenance team, or similar function, manages the operation of environmental protection controls.
  • Administrative processes exist to authorize physical access to facilities based on the position or role of the individual.
  • Administrative processes and physical controls restrict unescorted access to facilities to personnel with required security clearances, formal access authorizations and validated the need for access.
  • Physical controls and technologies are configured to enforce physical access authorizations for all physical access points (including designated entry/exit points) to facilities (excluding those areas within the facility officially designated as publicly accessible).
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Physical & Environmental Security (PES) efforts are metrics driven and provide sufficient management insight (based on a quantitative understanding of process capabilities) to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and identify areas for improvement. In addition to CMM Level 3 criteria, CMM Level 4 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs).
  • Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties.
  • Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review).
  • Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes.
  • Both business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving

See C|P-CMM4. There are no defined C|P-CMM5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to enforce physical access authorizations for all physical access points (including designated entry/exit points) to facilities (excluding those areas within the facility officially designated as publicly accessible).

Assessment Objectives

  1. PES-03_A01 physical access controls to control access to areas within the facility designated as publicly accessible are defined.
  2. PES-03_A02 physical access authorizations are enforced at entry and exit points to the facility where the system resides by controlling ingress and egress with physical access control systems, devices, or guards.
  3. PES-03_A03 entry and exit points to the facility in which the system resides are defined.
  4. PES-03_A04 entry or exit points for which physical access logs are maintained are defined.
  5. PES-03_A05 physical access devices are identified.
  6. PES-03_A06 physical access devices are controlled.
  7. PES-03_A07 physical access devices are managed.
  8. PES-03_A08 circumstances requiring visitor escorts and control of visitor activity are defined.
  9. PES-03_A09 physical access devices to be inventoried are defined.
  10. PES-03_A10 frequency at which to inventory physical access devices is defined.
  11. PES-03_A11 frequency at which to change combinations is defined.
  12. PES-03_A12 frequency at which to change keys is defined.
  13. PES-03_A13 physical access authorizations are enforced at entry and exit points by controlling ingress and egress to the facility.
  14. PES-03_A14 physical access event logs are maintained for entry or exit points.
  15. PES-03_A15 access to areas within the facility designated as publicly accessible are maintained by implementing physical access controls.
  16. PES-03_A16 visitors are escorted.
  17. PES-03_A17 visitor activity is controlled circumstances.
  18. PES-03_A18 physical access devices are inventoried frequently.
  19. PES-03_A19 combinations are changed frequently, when combinations are compromised or when individuals possessing the combinations are transferred or terminated.
  20. PES-03_A20 keys are changed frequency, when keys are lost or when individuals possessing the keys are transferred or terminated.
  21. PES-03_A21 the frequency at which to perform security checks at the physical perimeter of the facility or system for exfiltration of information or removal of system components is defined.
  22. PES-03_A22 security checks are performed C at the physical perimeter of the facility or system for exfiltration of information or removal of system components.
  23. PES-03_A23 physical access points to the facility where the system resides are defined.
  24. PES-03_A24 guards are employed to control physical access points to the facility where the system resides 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
  25. PES-03_A25 physical access restrictions associated with changes to the system are enforced.
  26. PES-03_A26 keys, combinations, and other physical access devices are secured.

Evidence Requirements

E-PES-05 Physical Security Operations

Documented evidence of the organization's physical security capabilities as it pertains to operating and monitoring Physical Access Control (PAC)mechanisms.

Physical Security
E-PES-06 Physical Access Control Logs

Documented evidence of physical access control logs or records.

Physical Security
E-PES-07 Physical Access Control Devices

Documented evidence of Physical Access Control (PAC) mechanisms.

Physical Security
E-PES-08 Physical Access Control Device Inventories

Documented evidence of inventory records of physical access control devices.

Physical Security
E-PES-09 Key & Combination Changes

Documented evidence of key and lock combination changes.

Physical Security

Technology Recommendations

Medium

  • Staffed lobby (receptionist)
  • Physical security guards
  • Verify individual access authorizations before granting access to the facility.
  • Control entry to the facility containing the system using physical access devices and/or guards.
  • Control access to areas officially designated as publicly accessible in accordance with the organization's assessment of risk.
  • Secure keys, combinations and other physical access devices.

Large

  • Staffed lobby (receptionist)
  • Physical security guards
  • Verify individual access authorizations before granting access to the facility.
  • Control entry to the facility containing the system using physical access devices and/or guards.
  • Control access to areas officially designated as publicly accessible in accordance with the organization's assessment of risk.
  • Secure keys, combinations and other physical access devices.

Enterprise

  • Staffed lobby (receptionist)
  • Physical security guards
  • Verify individual access authorizations before granting access to the facility.
  • Control entry to the facility containing the system using physical access devices and/or guards.
  • Control access to areas officially designated as publicly accessible in accordance with the organization's assessment of risk.
  • Secure keys, combinations and other physical access devices.

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