# BSI C5:2020 PS-04 — Physical site access control - Source: https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020/ps-04-physical-site-access-control - Section: [Compliance](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance) › [BSI C5:2020 (Cloud Computing Compliance Criteria)](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020) › Physical Security (PS) - Last updated: 2026-06-05 - Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com) **BSI C5:2020**·Criterion `PS-04`·high·Component: **Physical Security** ## What this control requires > Implements access controls at premises per PS-01, using systems enforcing least privilege and need-to-know principles. Requires two-factor authentication for sensitive areas, tracks visitors, and logs access to prevent unauthorized entry to cloud systems. > > — BSI C5:2020, Criterion PS-04 ### In plain English Implements access controls at premises per PS-01, using systems enforcing least privilege and need-to-know principles. In practice, this means you can prove you review site access control-level controls on a defined cadence. ## Why it matters BSI C5 is the default cloud-security baseline German public-sector buyers and many DAX-listed enterprises expect; gaps here directly block procurement in the DACH region and frequently appear as must-have items in EU public-tender documents. This control is rated **high**. Auditors expect a named owner, a remediation SLA, and a tooling artefact that evidences continuous operation. ## What an auditor looks for A C5 attesting auditor (under ISAE 3000 / IDW PS 860) tests both the design and — for a Type 2 — the operating effectiveness over the attestation period. For each criterion they look for both the Basic and any in-scope Additional objectives. Within **Physical Security**, the assessor will trace your implementation back to the catalogue reference (Criterion PS-04) and look for objective evidence on the latest two assessment cycles. ## How to implement #### Physical Security **Inheritance.** For cloud-only operations, inherit physical controls from the provider's SOC 2 / ISO 27001 report and document the inheritance in the SoA. ### Operational checklist - **Review.** Document the trigger, the owner and the cadence. - **Security.** Document the trigger, the owner and the cadence. - **Physical.** Document the trigger, the owner and the cadence. - **Access.** Document the trigger, the owner and the cadence. - **Authentication.** Document the trigger, the owner and the cadence. - **Scope:** site access control, management. ## Evidence to collect - **Identity Scan.** IAM / IdP exports — Entra ID, Okta, IAM Identity Center, Workspace directory — showing accounts, roles, MFA state and last sign-in. Identity analytics (Okta, SailPoint, Access Analyzer) demonstrates least-privilege. Focus: Physical site access control. ## How it maps to other frameworks Computed from shared tags, control component and key-operation subjects — handy when you are reconciling controls across an audit. - [**NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3 3.10.8** — Access Control for Transmission](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-171-rev-3/3-10-8-access-control-for-transmission) - [**SOC 2 (2017 TSC) CC6.1** — Logical Access Controls](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/soc-2-trust-services-criteria/cc6-1-logical-access-controls) - [**CIS Controls v8 6.7** — Centralize Access Control](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/cis-controls-v8/6-7-centralize-access-control) - [**NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 PE-2(2)** — Two Forms Of Identification](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-53-rev-5/pe-2-2-two-forms-of-identification) - [**ISO/IEC 27001:2022 A.8.2** — Privileged access rights](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/iso-27001-2022/a-8-2-privileged-access-rights) ## Related controls in BSI C5:2020 - [**Criterion IDM-05** — Regular review of access rights](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020/idm-05-regular-review-of-access-rights) - [**Criterion IDM-02** — Granting and change of user accounts and access rights](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020/idm-02-granting-and-change-of-user-accounts-and-access-rights) - [**Criterion IDM-01** — Policy for user accounts and access rights](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020/idm-01-policy-for-user-accounts-and-access-rights) - [**Criterion IDM-04** — Withdraw or adjust access rights as the task area changes](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020/idm-04-withdraw-or-adjust-access-rights-as-the-task-area-changes) - [**Criterion AM-05** — Commitment to Permissible Use, Safe Handling and Return of Assets](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020/am-05-commitment-to-permissible-use-safe-handling-and-return-of-assets) - [**Criterion HR-01** — Verification of qualification and trustworthiness](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/bsi-c5-2020/hr-01-verification-of-qualification-and-trustworthiness) ## References - [Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI) — BSI C5:2020](https://www.bsi.bund.de/EN/Topics/CloudComputing/Compliance_Criteria_Catalogue/Compliance_Criteria_Catalogue_node.html) - Catalogue identifier: `Criterion PS-04` Topics: identity accessphysical securityidentity managementaccess reviewprivileged access ## Related compliance guidance - [SOC 2 compliance: a practical implementation guide for cloud-native SaaS teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/soc-2-trust-services-criteria): Configuration checks like this one are the technical half of a SOC 2 / ISO 27001 programme — the guide shows where they fit, what else an auditor expects, and how to evidence them. - [ISO/IEC 27001:2022 compliance: a practical implementation guide](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/iso-27001-2022): ISO 27001 Annex A.8 (technological controls) is where cloud hardening evidence lands; the guide shows how to run the ISMS around it.