| name | PE-8_visitor-access-records |
| description | Maintain visitor access records to the facility where the system resides for [organization-defined]; |
| category | configuration |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","pe-8","pe"] |
| tech_stack | ["any"] |
| cwe_ids | [] |
| chains_with | ["PE-2","PE-3","PE-6"] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {"PE-2":"Chain with PE-2 for comprehensive security coverage","PE-3":"Chain with PE-3 for comprehensive security coverage","PE-6":"Chain with PE-6 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
PE-8 Visitor Access Records
High-Level Description
Family: Physical and Environmental Protection (PE)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
Visitor access records include the names and organizations of individuals visiting, visitor signatures, forms of identification, dates of access, entry and departure times, purpose of visits, and the names and organizations of individuals visited. Access record reviews determine if access authorizations are current and are still required to support organizational mission and business functions. Access records are not required for publicly accessible areas.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for PE-8 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
Maintain visitor access records to the facility where the system resides for [organization-defined];
Review visitor access records [organization-defined] ; and
Report anomalies in visitor access records to [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
Visitor access records include the names and organizations of individuals visiting, visitor signatures, forms of identification, dates of access, entry and departure times, purpose of visits, and the names and organizations of individuals visited. Access record reviews determine if access authorizations are current and are still required to support organizational mission and business functions. Access records are not required for publicly accessible areas.
