PE 8 Visitor Access Records

---
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

- [ ] Verify PE-8 Visitor Access Records is documented in SSP
- [ ] Validate all 3 control requirements are implemented
- [ ] Confirm control is operating effectively
- [ ] Review evidence of continuous monitoring for PE-8

## 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.

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                     | Severity | Impact                                           |
| ------------------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| PE-8 Visitor Access Records not implemented | Medium   | Physical and Environmental Protection            |
| PE-8 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-8](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cprt/catalog#/cprt/framework/version/SP_800_53_5_1_1/home?element=pe-8)
- [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 (PE-2, PE-3, PE-6) reviewed