164.310(a)(2)(ii) Physical Safeguards

Workstation Controls

Medium Risk Moderate Implementation Medium Cost

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

Required Documentation

• Workstation control policies and procedures
• Physical access control documentation
• User authentication procedures
• Configuration management procedures
• Monitoring and logging procedures
• Security assessment procedures
• Training materials and records

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

Common Violations

• Inadequate physical access controls
• Insufficient user authentication
• Poor configuration management
• Inadequate monitoring and logging
• Insufficient security policies
• Lack of regular security assessments

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

Audit Considerations

• Workstation control policies and procedures
• Physical access control implementation
• User authentication effectiveness
• Configuration management processes
• Monitoring and logging capabilities
• Security policy compliance
• Regular security assessments

NIST Cybersecurity Framework Alignment

This HIPAA control aligns with the following NIST Cybersecurity Framework functions and controls:

Identify (ID)

ID.AM-1: Physical devices and systems within the organization are inventoried
ID.AM-2: Software platforms and applications within the organization are inventoried
ID.AM-3: Organizational communication and data flows are mapped

Protect (PR)

PR.AC-1: Identities and credentials are issued, managed, verified, revoked, and audited
PR.AC-3: Remote access is managed
PR.DS-1: Data-at-rest is protected
PR.DS-2: Data-in-transit is protected

Detect (DE)

DE.AE-1: A baseline of network operations and expected data flows is established
DE.CM-1: The network is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events
DE.CM-3: Personnel activity is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events

Respond (RS)

RS.CO-1: Personnel know their roles and order of operations when a response is needed
RS.CO-2: Incidents are reported consistent with established criteria
RS.AN-1: Notifications from detection systems are investigated

Recover (RC)

RC.RP-1: Recovery plan is executed during or after a cybersecurity incident
RC.IM-1: Recovery plans incorporate lessons learned
RC.CO-1: Public relations are managed

Note: This mapping provides a general alignment between HIPAA controls and NIST Framework functions. Specific implementation may vary based on your organization's risk profile and compliance requirements.

Implementation Templates & Checklists

Download our expert-developed templates and checklists to implement this control effectively:

Implementation Checklist

Step-by-step checklist to ensure complete implementation of this control

Download Checklist

Policy Template

Ready-to-customize policy template for this specific control

Download Template

Risk Assessment Form

Comprehensive risk assessment form for this control

Download Form

Training Materials

Staff training materials and awareness resources

Download Materials

Expert Implementation Recommendations

Based on our experience with 500+ healthcare organizations, here are our expert recommendations for implementing this control:

High Priority

Start with Risk Assessment

Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify specific vulnerabilities and threats related to this control. This will help prioritize implementation efforts and allocate resources effectively.

Identify all systems and data covered by this control
Assess current security measures and gaps
Evaluate potential impact of security incidents
Document findings and remediation priorities

Medium Priority

Develop Comprehensive Policies

Create detailed policies and procedures that address all aspects of this control. Ensure policies are specific, actionable, and aligned with your organization's risk profile.

Define roles and responsibilities clearly
Establish approval workflows and escalation procedures
Include specific technical requirements and standards
Regular review and update schedules

Low Priority

Implement Monitoring and Testing

Establish ongoing monitoring and testing procedures to ensure the control remains effective over time. Regular testing helps identify new vulnerabilities and compliance gaps.

Automated monitoring where possible
Regular manual testing and validation
Incident response procedures
Continuous improvement processes

Recommended Implementation Timeline

Week 1-2: Assessment & Planning

Conduct risk assessment and develop implementation plan

Week 3-4: Policy Development

Create and review policies and procedures

Week 5-8: Implementation

Deploy technical controls and train staff

Week 9-10: Testing & Validation

Test controls and validate compliance

Related Controls

164.310(a)(1) - Facility Access Controls
164.310(a)(2) - Workstation Use
164.310(b) - Media Controls
164.312(a)(1) - Access Control

Control ID: 164.310(a)(2)(ii)

Category: Physical Safeguards

Subcategory: Physical Access Controls

Risk Level: Medium

Difficulty: Moderate

Cost: Medium

Timeframe: 1-3 months

Last Updated: Nov 21, 2025