Topic

Physical access to servers, network devices and cryptographic equipment

Applicable to

Official, Protected, Secret, Top Secret

History

Priority

Must

Sep 2023

Servers, network devices and cryptographic equipment are secured in security containers or secure rooms suitable for their classification taking into account the combination of security zones they reside in.

References to sensitive and classified systems or data, where it now only relates to classified systems or data (i.e. OFFICIAL: Sensitive and above), have been replaced with references to classified systems or data.

Dec 2021

Servers, network devices and cryptographic equipment are secured in security containers or secure rooms suitable for their sensitivity or classification taking into account the combination of security zones they reside in.

Miscellaneous changes were made to rationale and security controls throughout the publication. This included:

• A review from the Using the Information Security Manual chapter through to the Guidelines for Media chapter.

• Security controls suitable for all audiences have been identified with the ‘All’ applicability marking while additional security controls suitable for just government audiences have been identified with the O, P, S and TS applicability markings.

• Security controls suitable for specific classifications have been amended to include their classification(s) in the wording of the security controls to reduce the reliance on applicability markings to confer suitability.

• Tables in security controls have been converted into prose to allow for inclusion in the SSP annex template and the XML list of security controls.

• The use of ‘official’ and ‘highly classified’ terminology has been replaced with specific classifications to remove ambiguity.

• Security controls relating to high assurance ICT equipment have had their applicability narrowed to ‘S, TS’ reflecting that they are intended for the protection of SECRET and TOP SECRET systems and data.

Nov 2018

Servers and network devices are secured in lockable commercial cabinets or security containers suitable for their sensitivity or classification taking into account protection afforded by the Security Zone or secure room they reside in.

Added to recognise the three layers of physical security for assets. For example, the facility, the server/communications room and the security container/lockable commercial cabinet.