← PE-3
PE-3(8) PE · Physical and Environmental Protection

Access Control Vestibules

LOW MODERATE HIGH
1 Overlay 0 Related Controls
Graph
Export ▾

Requirements NIST SOURCE

Employ access control vestibules at [locations].

Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)

An access control vestibule is part of a physical access control system that typically provides a space between two sets of interlocking doors. Vestibules are designed to prevent unauthorized individuals from following authorized individuals into facilities with controlled access. This activity, also known as piggybacking or tailgating, results in unauthorized access to the facility. Interlocking door controllers can be used to limit the number of individuals who enter controlled access points and to provide containment areas while authorization for physical access is verified. Interlocking door controllers can be fully automated (i.e., controlling the opening and closing of the doors) or partially automated (i.e., using security guards to control the number of individuals entering the containment area).

Implementation Guidance

Engineering Interpretation

Original engineering commentary written for this explorer — not NIST source text and not authoritative guidance.

No engineering interpretation has been authored for PE-3(8) yet. This section is architected to receive it — see the Requirements and Assessment sections above for the authoritative NIST source content in the meantime.

Assessment

NIST SP 800-53A REV 5.2.0

Assessment Objectives

  1. locations within the facility where access control vestibules are to be employed are defined;
  2. access control vestibules are employed at <PE-03(08)_ODP locations>.

Examine

[SELECT FROM: Physical and environmental protection policy; procedures addressing physical access control; list of access control vestibules and locations; system security plan; other relevant documents or records].

Interview

[SELECT FROM: Organizational personnel with physical access control responsibilities; organizational personnel with information security responsibilities].

Test

[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for vestibules to prevent unauthorized access.].

Overlays

Showing the OT/ICS overlay for the parent control PE-3 — see the PE-3(8) entries within each baseline below.

OT/ICS Overlay SP 800-82r3

NIST SP 800-82r3 Appendix F, Table 22. Blank baseline means the control/control enhancement is not selected in that initial OT baseline.

LOW

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)

MODERATE

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)

HIGH

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)
  • Included: (1)

STIGs & CCIs

No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for PE-3(8). This section is architected to display, per product: STIG ID, Finding ID, Severity, Title, Description, Check, Fix, CCI, and NIST control mapping — but nothing is populated here until a real DISA STIG/CCI dataset is ingested.

Learn more about STIG/CCI integration →

Evidence

Potential Evidence — Derived

Categorized from the SP 800-53A "Examine"/"Test" artifact list above by keyword — not an authoritative NIST evidence list.

Policy

  • Physical and environmental protection policy
  • system security plan

Testing

  • Organizational processes for vestibules to prevent unauthorized access

Other Records

  • procedures addressing physical access control
  • list of access control vestibules and locations
  • other relevant documents or records