Workstation Use
164.310(a)(2)
Physical Safeguards
Medium Risk
Moderate
Implement policies and procedures that specify the proper functions to be performed, the manner in which those functions are to be performed, and the physical attributes of the surroundings of a specific workstation or class of workstation that can access ePHI.
Implementation Guidance
Develop comprehensive workstation use policies including:
• Workstation use policies and procedures
• Physical security requirements for workstations
• Workstation configuration standards
• User responsibilities for workstation security
• Workstation monitoring and auditing procedures
• Workstation disposal and sanitization procedures
Key components:
- Workstation use policies
- Physical security requirements
- Configuration standards
- User responsibilities
- Monitoring and auditing
- Disposal procedures
• Workstation use policies and procedures
• Physical security requirements for workstations
• Workstation configuration standards
• User responsibilities for workstation security
• Workstation monitoring and auditing procedures
• Workstation disposal and sanitization procedures
Key components:
- Workstation use policies
- Physical security requirements
- Configuration standards
- User responsibilities
- Monitoring and auditing
- Disposal procedures
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
• Develop comprehensive workstation policies
• Implement physical security controls
• Establish configuration standards
• Provide user training and awareness
• Monitor workstation use regularly
• Implement proper disposal procedures
• Regular review and update of policies
• Implement physical security controls
• Establish configuration standards
• Provide user training and awareness
• Monitor workstation use regularly
• Implement proper disposal procedures
• Regular review and update of policies
Testing Procedures
• Review workstation use policies
• Test physical security controls
• Verify configuration standards
• Review user training records
• Test monitoring and auditing capabilities
• Verify disposal procedures
• Review policy compliance
• Test physical security controls
• Verify configuration standards
• Review user training records
• Test monitoring and auditing capabilities
• Verify disposal procedures
• Review policy compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should be included in workstation use policies?
A: Workstation use policies should specify proper functions, manner of use, and physical security requirements.
Q: How should workstations be physically secured?
A: Workstations should be secured through physical locks, access controls, and environmental protections.
Q: What are the disposal requirements for workstations?
A: Workstations must be properly sanitized before disposal to ensure ePHI is not accessible.
A: Workstation use policies should specify proper functions, manner of use, and physical security requirements.
Q: How should workstations be physically secured?
A: Workstations should be secured through physical locks, access controls, and environmental protections.
Q: What are the disposal requirements for workstations?
A: Workstations must be properly sanitized before disposal to ensure ePHI is not accessible.
Control Information
Control ID:
164.310(a)(2)
164.310(a)(2)
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:
5
5
Last Updated:
Oct 1, 2025
Oct 1, 2025
Related Controls
Additional Resources
• NIST SP 800-66 Rev. 2: Workstation Use Guidance
• HHS Workstation Use Guidance
• Workstation Security Best Practices
• Configuration Management Guide
• Disposal Procedures Template
• HHS Workstation Use Guidance
• Workstation Security Best Practices
• Configuration Management Guide
• Disposal Procedures Template