PE 4 Access Control For Transmission

---
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

- [ ] Verify PE-4 Access Control for Transmission is documented in SSP
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for PE-4

## 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

| Finding                                              | Severity | Impact                                           |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| PE-4 Access Control for Transmission not implemented | Medium   | Physical and Environmental Protection            |
| PE-4 partially implemented                           | Low      | Incomplete Physical and Environmental Protection |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title                 |
| ------ | --------------------- |
| N/A    | No direct CWE mapping |

## References

- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - PE-4](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=pe-4)
- [NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/a/r5/final)
- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/r5/upd1/final)

## Checklist

- [ ] Control documented in SSP
- [ ] Implementation evidence collected
- [ ] Operating effectiveness validated
- [ ] Continuous monitoring in place
- [ ] Related controls (AT-3, IA-4, MP-2, MP-4, PE-2) reviewed