| name | PE-4_access-control-for-transmission |
| description | Control physical access to [organization-defined] within organizational facilities using [organization-defined]. |
| category | configuration |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","pe-4","pe"] |
| tech_stack | ["any"] |
| cwe_ids | [] |
| chains_with | ["AT-3","IA-4","MP-2","MP-4","PE-2","PE-3","PE-5","PE-9","SC-7","SC-8"] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {"AT-3":"Chain with AT-3 for comprehensive security coverage","IA-4":"Chain with IA-4 for comprehensive security coverage","MP-2":"Chain with MP-2 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
PE-4 Access Control for Transmission
High-Level Description
Family: Physical and Environmental Protection (PE)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Security controls applied to system distribution and transmission lines prevent accidental damage, disruption, and physical tampering. Such controls may also be necessary to prevent eavesdropping or modification of unencrypted transmissions. Security controls used to control physical access to system distribution and transmission lines include disconnected or locked spare jacks, locked wiring closets, protection of cabling by conduit or cable trays, and wiretapping sensors.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for PE-4 implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.
Step 2: Validate Implementation
# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly
# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null
Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness
Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.
Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|
| Manual Review | Documentation and interview-based | N/A |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Control physical access to [organization-defined] within organizational facilities using [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
Security controls applied to system distribution and transmission lines prevent accidental damage, disruption, and physical tampering. Such controls may also be necessary to prevent eavesdropping or modification of unencrypted transmissions. Security controls used to control physical access to system distribution and transmission lines include disconnected or locked spare jacks, locked wiring closets, protection of cabling by conduit or cable trays, and wiretapping sensors.
Risk Assessment
