Workstation Controls
164.310(a)(2)(ii)
Physical Safeguards
Medium Risk
Moderate
Implement physical safeguards for all workstations that access ePHI, to restrict access to authorized users.
Implementation Guidance
Implement comprehensive workstation controls including:
• Physical access controls for workstations
• User authentication and authorization
• Workstation configuration management
• Monitoring and logging of workstation access
• Workstation security policies and procedures
• Regular security assessments of workstations
Key components:
- Physical access restrictions
- User authentication requirements
- Configuration management
- Monitoring and logging
- Security policies
- Regular assessments
• Physical access controls for workstations
• User authentication and authorization
• Workstation configuration management
• Monitoring and logging of workstation access
• Workstation security policies and procedures
• Regular security assessments of workstations
Key components:
- Physical access restrictions
- User authentication requirements
- Configuration management
- Monitoring and logging
- Security policies
- Regular assessments
NIST References
NIST SP 800-66 Rev. 2: Section 3.2.2
NIST Cybersecurity Framework: PR.AC-1, PR.AC-2, PR.AC-3, PR.AC-4, PR.AC-5, PR.AC-6, PR.AC-7
NIST SP 800-53: PE-1, PE-2, PE-3, PE-4, PE-5, PE-6, PE-7, PE-8, PE-9, PE-10, PE-11, PE-12, PE-13, PE-14, PE-15, PE-16, PE-17, PE-18, PE-19, PE-20, PE-21, PE-22, PE-23, PE-24, PE-25
NIST Cybersecurity Framework: PR.AC-1, PR.AC-2, PR.AC-3, PR.AC-4, PR.AC-5, PR.AC-6, PR.AC-7
NIST SP 800-53: PE-1, PE-2, PE-3, PE-4, PE-5, PE-6, PE-7, PE-8, PE-9, PE-10, PE-11, PE-12, PE-13, PE-14, PE-15, PE-16, PE-17, PE-18, PE-19, PE-20, PE-21, PE-22, PE-23, PE-24, PE-25
Best Practices
• Implement strong physical access controls
• Use multi-factor authentication
• Establish configuration management
• Monitor and log all access
• Develop comprehensive security policies
• Conduct regular security assessments
• Regular training and awareness
• Use multi-factor authentication
• Establish configuration management
• Monitor and log all access
• Develop comprehensive security policies
• Conduct regular security assessments
• Regular training and awareness
Testing Procedures
• Review workstation control policies
• Test physical access controls
• Verify user authentication
• Review configuration management
• Test monitoring and logging
• Verify security policies
• Conduct security assessments
• Test physical access controls
• Verify user authentication
• Review configuration management
• Test monitoring and logging
• Verify security policies
• Conduct security assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What physical safeguards are required for workstations?
A: Physical safeguards should restrict access to authorized users through locks, access controls, and environmental protections.
Q: How should workstation access be monitored?
A: Workstation access should be monitored through logging, auditing, and regular security assessments.
Q: What authentication is required for workstations?
A: Workstations should use appropriate authentication methods based on the risk level and sensitivity of ePHI.
A: Physical safeguards should restrict access to authorized users through locks, access controls, and environmental protections.
Q: How should workstation access be monitored?
A: Workstation access should be monitored through logging, auditing, and regular security assessments.
Q: What authentication is required for workstations?
A: Workstations should use appropriate authentication methods based on the risk level and sensitivity of ePHI.
Control Information
Control ID:
164.310(a)(2)(ii)
164.310(a)(2)(ii)
Category:
Physical Safeguards
Physical Safeguards
Subcategory:
Physical Access Controls
Physical Access Controls
Risk Level:
Medium
Medium
Implementation Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Estimated Cost:
Medium
Medium
Implementation Timeframe:
1-3 months
1-3 months
Views:
3
3
Last Updated:
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
Related Controls
Additional Resources
• NIST SP 800-66 Rev. 2: Workstation Controls Guidance
• HHS Workstation Controls Guidance
• Workstation Security Best Practices
• Configuration Management Guide
• Security Assessment Procedures
• HHS Workstation Controls Guidance
• Workstation Security Best Practices
• Configuration Management Guide
• Security Assessment Procedures