PES-21: Emergency Shutoff
Facility security mechanisms exist to shut off power in emergency situations by: (1) Placing emergency shutoff switches or devices in close proximity to systems or system components to facilitate safe and easy access for personnel; and (2) Protecting emergency power shutoff capability from unauthorized activation.
Renumbered: Formerly PES-07.2 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization shut off power in emergency situations by: (1) Placing emergency shutoff switches or devices in close proximity to systems or system components to facilitate safe and easy access for personnel; and (2) Protecting emergency power shutoff capability from unauthorized activation?
General (18)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF) | S7.2-POF6 |
| AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) | A1.2 |
| COBIT 2019 | DSS01.04 |
| CSA CCM 4.1.0 | DCS-14 |
| GovRAMP | PE-10 |
| GovRAMP Moderate | PE-10 |
| GovRAMP High | PE-10 |
| ISO 27002 2022 | 7.11 |
| ISO 27017 2015 | 11.2.2 |
| ISO 27018 2025 | 7.11 |
| MPA Content Security Program 5.3.1 | PS-3.1 |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | PE-10 |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | PE-10 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) | PE-10 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) | PE-10 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | PE-10 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | PE-10 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | PE-10 |
US (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | PE-10 PE-10.a PE-10.b PE-10.c |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | PE-10 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | PE-10 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | PE-10 |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | PE-10 |
EMEA (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 | mp.if.4 |
APAC (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Japan ISMAP | 11.2.2.7 |
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.
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 shut off power in emergency situations by: (1) Placing emergency shutoff switches or devices in close proximity to systems or system components to facilitate safe and easy access for personnel; and (2) Protecting emergency power shutoff capability from unauthorized activation.
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-21_A01 system or individual system components that require the capability to shut off power in emergency situations is/are defined.
- PES-21_A02 location of emergency shutoff switches or devices by system or system component is defined.
- PES-21_A03 the capability to shut off power to system or individual system components in emergency situations is provided.
- PES-21_A04 emergency shutoff switches or devices are placed in location to facilitate access for authorized personnel.
- PES-21_A05 the emergency power shutoff capability is protected from unauthorized activation.
Evidence Requirements
- E-PES-13 Emergency Power & Utility Protections
-
Documented evidence of emergency power, emergency shutoff, emergency lighting, voltage controls and redundant cabling.
Physical Security
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Know location of breaker panel serving IT equipment
Small
- Labeled emergency power shutoff for server room
- Shutoff location documented and communicated
Medium
- Emergency Power Off (EPO) switch near server room exit, protected from accidental activation
- Documented EPO procedure
Large
- Data center EPO system with protective covers and access restriction
- EPO procedures and training
- Annual testing
Enterprise
- Enterprise EPO system integrated with fire and facility management
- Protected EPO controls with logging
- EPO training and drills