Skip to main content

PES-14.3: Restrict Unescorted Access

PES 10 — Critical Protect

Physical access control mechanisms exist to restrict unescorted access to facilities to personnel with required security clearances, formal access authorizations and validate the need for access.

Renumbered: Formerly PES-06.3 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization restrict unescorted access to facilities to personnel with required security clearances, formal access authorizations and validate the need for access?

General (11)
Framework Mapping Values
NIST 800-53 R4 PE-2(3)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 PE-02(03)
NIST 800-82 R3 PE-02(03)
NIST 800-171 R2 (source) 3.10.3
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.10.07.c
NIST 800-171A (source) 3.10.3[a] 3.10.3[b]
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) 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
SWIFT CSF 2025 3.1
US (6)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 1 PE.L1-B.1.IX
USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 1 AOs PE.L1-B.1.IX[b]
USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 PEL2.-3.10.3
USA Federal FAR 52.204-21 52.204-21(b)(1)(ix)
USA Federal 33 CFR Part 101 Subpart F 101.650(d)(3)
USA Federal NERC CIP 2024 CIP-004-7 4.1.2 CIP-006-6 1.2 CIP-006-6 1.3 CIP-006-6 2.1
EMEA (2)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany C5 2026 PS-04.01B.7
EMEA Saudi Arabia SACS-002 2022 VII.B.TPC-48
APAC (3)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-0164
APAC Japan ISMAP 11.1.2.9
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 9.4.7.C.01
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 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

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. ▪ Users are trained and encouraged to stop and question anyone attempting to install or remove IT assets from facilities.

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 restrict unescorted access to facilities to personnel with required security clearances, formal access authorizations and validate the need for access.

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-14.3_A01 visitor activity is controlled.
  2. PES-14.3_A02 unescorted access to the facility where the system resides is restricted.
  3. PES-14.3_A03 visitor activity is monitored.
  4. PES-14.3_A04 visitors are escorted.
  5. PES-14.3_A05 physical access authorizations for unescorted access to the facility where the system resides are defined.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Visitors escorted at all times in work areas

Small

  • Visitor escort policy
  • Unescorted access only for authorized personnel with badges

Medium

  • Visitor management system flags escort requirements
  • Unescorted access restricted to personnel with formal access authorization

Large

  • Escort requirements enforced by PACS visitor badge type
  • Clearance/authorization verification before unescorted access is granted
  • Escort training for hosts

Enterprise

  • Enterprise escort and unescorted access program tied to clearance/authorization records
  • Visitor badges with restricted PACS privileges
  • Audit of unescorted access grants

The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is maintained by SCF Council. Use of SCF content is subject to the SCF Terms & Conditions.

Manage this control in SCF Connect

Track implementation status, collect evidence, and map controls to your compliance frameworks automatically.