NIST 800-53 REV 5 • PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
PE-3(3) — Continuous Guards
Employ guards to control {{ insert: param, pe-03.03_odp }} to the facility where the system resides 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Supplemental Guidance
Employing guards at selected physical access points to the facility provides a more rapid response capability for organizations. Guards also provide the opportunity for human surveillance in areas of the facility not covered by video surveillance.
Practitioner Notes
This enhancement requires 24/7 security guard presence at your facility. This is typically reserved for high-security environments processing classified information or critical infrastructure.
Example 1: Contract with a licensed security guard service to provide 24/7 coverage at your facility. Define guard duties in the contract: access control, patrol routes, incident response, visitor processing, and alarm monitoring. Review guard logs daily.
Example 2: If in-house guards are used, establish written post orders that detail responsibilities, patrol schedules, and emergency procedures. Equip guards with communication devices and ensure they can reach your security manager and local law enforcement. Conduct random quality checks on guard performance.