PES-11: Working in Secure Areas
Physical security mechanisms exist to allow only authorized personnel access to secure areas.
Renumbered: Formerly PES-04.1 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, PES-11 was Alternate Work Site. That control is now PES-05.
Control Question: Does the organization allow only authorized personnel access to secure areas?
General (13)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| CSA CCM 4.1.0 | DCS-04 DCS-10 |
| ISO 27002 2022 | 5.15 7.2 7.3 7.6 |
| ISO 27017 2015 | 9.1.1 11.1.2 11.1.5 |
| ISO 27018 2025 | 5.15 7.2 7.3 7.6 |
| MPA Content Security Program 5.3.1 | PS-1.0 PS-1.1 TS-1.0 |
| NIST SP 800-66 R2 | 164.310(c) |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.08.01 03.08.02 03.10.07.a.01 03.10.07.a.02 03.10.07.d |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.08.01[01] A.03.08.01[02] A.03.08.02 A.03.10.07.a.01 A.03.10.07.a.02 A.03.10.07.d |
| NIST Privacy Framework 1.0 | PR.AC-P2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) | 9.3.1.1 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) | 9.3.1.1 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) | 9.3.1.1 |
| SWIFT CSF 2025 | 3.1 |
US (6)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 3 | SC.L3-3.13.4E |
| USA Federal NNPI (unclass) 2010 | 8-3.a(2) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | 2.B.3 |
| USA Federal HIPAA Security Rule NIST SP 800-66 R2 | § 164.310(c) |
| USA Federal HIPAA Administrative Simplification 2013 | § 164.310(c) |
| USA California CCPA 2025 | 7123(c)(3)(D) |
EMEA (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 | op.acc.2 mp.if.2 mp.if.7 |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia ECC-1 2018 | 2-14-3-5 |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia SACS-002 2022 | VII.B.TPC-49 |
APAC (3)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-0164 |
| APAC Japan ISMAP | 11.1.2.11 11.1.5 11.1.5.1 11.1.5.2 11.1.5.3 11.1.5.4 11.1.5.5 11.1.5.6 |
| APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 | 17.9.36.C.02 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.08.01 03.08.02 03.10.07.A.01 03.10.07.A.02 03.10.07.D |
Capability Maturity Model
Level 0 — Not Performed
Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.
Level 1 — Performed Informally
SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Physical & Environmental Security (PES) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with PES domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with PES domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with PES domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Physical security / facilities management-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Physical security / facilities management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ Physical security controls and technologies primarily focus on protecting High Value Assets (HVAs), including environments where sensitive/regulated data is stored, transmitted and processed.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Physical & Environmental Security (PES) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with PES domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with PES domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A facilities management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain NET domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of physical and environmental security operations (e.g., facility management solution, visitor log management automation and proximity badge access). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with PES domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational physical security capability exists to allow only authorized personnel access to secure areas.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Physical & Environmental Security (PES) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ 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. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Assessment Objectives
- PES-11_A01 physical security access controls allow only authorized personnel access to secure areas.
Evidence Requirements
- E-PES-11 Physical Security Zones
-
Documented evidence of security safeguards controlling access to designated physical security zones within facilities.
Physical Security
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Visitor escorts
Small
- Visitor escorts
Medium
- Visitor escorts
Large
- Visitor escorts
Enterprise
- Visitor escorts