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PES-14.1: Distinguish Visitors from On-Site Personnel

PES 8 — High Protect

Physical access control mechanisms exist to easily distinguish between onsite personnel and visitors, especially in areas where sensitive and/or regulated data is accessible.

Renumbered: Formerly PES-06.1 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization easily distinguish between onsite personnel and visitors, especially in areas where sensitive and/or regulated data is accessible?

General (7)
Framework Mapping Values
NIST 800-171 R2 (source) 3.10.3
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.10.01.a 03.10.07.c
NIST 800-171A (source) 3.10.3[a] 3.10.3[b]
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.10.01.a[02] A.03.10.07.c[01] A.03.10.07.c[02]
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 9.3.2
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 9.3.2
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 9.3.2
US (3)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 1 PE.L1-B.1.IX
USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 PEL2.-3.10.3
USA Federal FAR 52.204-21 52.204-21(b)(1)(ix)
EMEA (4)
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Japan ISMAP 11.1.2.8
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.10.01.A 03.10.07.C

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

Physical & Environmental Security (PES) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with PES domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Physical security-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ Physical security controls are primarily administrative in nature (e.g., policies & standards), focusing on protecting High Value Assets (HVAs). ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel implement appropriate physical security practices to protect the confidentiality, integrity, availability and safety of the organization's technology assets and data.

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. ▪ Physical security controls distinguish between onsite personnel and visitors, especially in areas where sensitive/regulated data is accessible.

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 easily distinguish between onsite personnel and visitors, especially in areas where sensitive/regulated data is accessible.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

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

  1. PES-14.1_A01 physical access control mechanisms distinguish between onsite personnel and visitors, especially in areas where sensitive / regulated data is accessible.
  2. PES-14.1_A02 visitors are escorted.
  3. PES-14.1_A03 visitor activity is controlled.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Visible badges for visitors that are different from organizational personnel

Small

  • Visible badges for visitors that are different from organizational personnel

Medium

  • Visible badges for visitors that are different from organizational personnel

Large

  • Visible badges for visitors that are different from organizational personnel

Enterprise

  • Visible badges for visitors that are different from organizational personnel

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