Physical and Environmental Security Requirements

Physical and environmental security is a growing concern for businesses striving to comply with cybersecurity and export compliance requirements.  These requirements include physical access control, monitoring, visitor access records, and various levels of policies and procedures.

Cybersecurity Physical Access Controls

It is essential that enterprises protect proprietary, personal, and transactional data.  Information Security Management Systems are used to coordinate activities and responsibilities within an organization to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.  Additionally, as Information of Things (IoT) devices grow in usage, safety must also be maintained.

NIST SP 800-53 provides a framework of security practices for businesses that are contractors to the U.S. Federal government.  Physical access controls are defined among the many controls for protecting data.  These include verification of access authorization and the maintenance of physical access data logs.

NIST SP 800-171 has controls in place that are generally harmonized with NIST SP 800-53 and is a requirement for organizations contracted with the federal government that have access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).  This framework is incorporated into the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements which is an assessment and certification program.

Export Compliance Physical Access Controls

U.S. export regulations require that articles and their associated technologies be protected from access by foreign persons.  There are two types of regulations pertaining to export, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

The ITAR pertains to articles specifically designed for military applications as enumerated in the United States Munitions List (USML).  The ITAR is administered under the Department of State, by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).

The EAR pertains to items that are emerging technologies and items that have dual-use applications (goods, software and technologies that can be used for civilian and military purposes).  The EAR are administered under the Department of Commerce by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

Violations of the export regulations can result in civil and criminal penalties including fines, debarment, and imprisonment. 

Visitor Badges and Visitor Sign-in Registers

Visitor badges provide a visual identification of visitors to your facility and give notice to personnel of requirements for access restriction and ensure that visitors are accompanied at all times by credentialed personnel.  Visitor Sign-In Registers provide a logging mechanism for visitors granted access to premises and notifies visitors upon signing in of security requirements.

Facility Security Signs

Facility Security Signs inform visitors and remind personnel of defined controlled areas where export regulated articles, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), or sensitive information are present.  These signs are an integral part of a comprehensive facility security program.

CVG Strategy Access Control Signs, Badges, and Visitor Logs

CVG Strategy’s Signs & Badges Store has a variety of signs, badges, and visitor logs to help your organization meet its physical and environmental security requirements.  These offerings provide solutions for both export compliance and cybersecurity.  

CVG Strategy also offers a wide array of EZ-Test Plan Templates for product test and evaluation that meet the requirements of MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-704, and others.  Each environmental test plan is compliant with MIL-STD-810 Task 405. EMI/EMC test plans are compliant with MIL-STD-461 per DI-EMCS-80201. 

CVG Strategy – Consultants and Advisors

CVG Strategy specializes in assisting companies of all sizes in services and support in Quality Management Systems, Test and Evaluation, Export Compliance, and Cybersecurity.  We provide these services to a wide variety of U.S. and international customers.  

Jamie Hamilton

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