urn: urn:intuitem:risk:library:pspf
locale: en
ref_id: PSPF
name: Protective Security Policy Framework
description: "The Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) helps Australian Government\
  \ entities to protect their people, information and assets, both at home and overseas.\n\
  \nIt sets out government protective security policy and supports entities to effectively\
  \ implement the policy across the following outcomes:\n\n    security governance\n\
  \    information security\n    personnel security\n    physical security."
copyright: "The Commonwealth of Australia owns all the material we produce. All material\
  \ presented on this website is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0\
  \ Australia licence, with the exception of:\n\n   - the Commonwealth Coat of Arms\
  \ \u2013 terms of use are available at It\u2019s an Honour - external site\n   -\
  \ our logo\n   - materials specifically not provided under a Creative Commons attribution\
  \ 3.0 Australia licence\n   - content supplied by third parties.\n\nLicense details\
  \ and conditions are available at Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia.\n\n\
  You should attribute material you get from this website as Australian Government\
  \ Department of Home Affairs."
version: 1
publication_date: 2024-02-11
provider: Australian Government
packager: intuitem
objects:
  framework:
    urn: urn:intuitem:risk:framework:pspf
    ref_id: PSPF
    name: Protective Security Policy Framework
    description: "The Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) helps Australian\
      \ Government entities to protect their people, information and assets, both\
      \ at home and overseas.\n\nIt sets out government protective security policy\
      \ and supports entities to effectively implement the policy across the following\
      \ outcomes:\n\n    security governance\n    information security\n    personnel\
      \ security\n    physical security."
    requirement_nodes:
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-1
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: GOVSEC-1
      name: Role of Accountable Authority
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-1
      ref_id: '1.1'
      description: The accountable authority is answerable to their minister and the
        government for the security of their entity.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.2
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-1
      ref_id: '1.2'
      description: 'The accountable authority of each entity must:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.2.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.2
      ref_id: 1.2.a
      description: determine their entity's tolerance for security risks.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.2.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.2
      ref_id: 1.2.b
      description: manage the security risks of their entity.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.2.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.2
      ref_id: 1.2.c
      description: consider the implications their risk management decisions have
        for other entities, and share information on risks where appropriate.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.3
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-1
      ref_id: '1.3'
      description: 'The accountable authority of a lead security entity must:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.3.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.3
      ref_id: 1.3.a
      description: provide other entities with advice, guidance and services related
        to government security.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.3.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.3
      ref_id: 1.3.b
      description: ensure that the security support it provides helps relevant entities
        achieve and maintain an acceptable level of security.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.3.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:1.3
      ref_id: 1.3.c
      description: establish and document responsibilities and accountabilities for
        partnerships or security service arrangements with other entities.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-2
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: GOVSEC-2
      name: Management Structures and Responsibilities
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-2
      ref_id: '2.1'
      description: 'The accountable authority must:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1
      ref_id: 2.1.a
      description: appoint a Chief Security Officer (CSO) at the Senior Executive
        Service level to be responsible for security in the entity.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b
      assessable: false
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1
      ref_id: 2.1.b
      description: 'empower the CSO to make decisions about:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b.i
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b
      ref_id: 2.1.b.i
      description: appointing security advisors within the entity.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b.ii
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b
      ref_id: 2.1.b.ii
      description: the entity's protective security planning.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b.iii
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b
      ref_id: 2.1.b.iii
      description: the entity's protective security practices and procedures.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b.iv
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.b
      ref_id: 2.1.b.iv
      description: investigating, responding to, and reporting on security incidents.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:2.1
      ref_id: 2.1.c
      description: ensure personnel and contractors are aware of their collective
        responsibility to foster a positive security culture, and are provided sufficient
        information and training to support this.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-3
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: GOVSEC-3
      name: Security Planning and Risk Management
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-3
      ref_id: '3.1'
      description: "Each entity must have in place a security plan approved by the\
        \ accountable authority to manage the entity\u2019s security risks. The security\
        \ plan details:"
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1
      ref_id: 3.1.a
      description: the security goals and strategic objectives of the entity, including
        how security risk management intersects with and supports broader business
        objectives and priorities.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1
      ref_id: 3.1.b
      description: "the threats, risks and vulnerabilities that impact the protection\
        \ of an entity\u2019s people, information and assets."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1
      ref_id: 3.1.c
      description: "the entity\u2019s tolerance to security risks."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1.d
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1
      ref_id: 3.1.d
      description: "the maturity of the entity\u2019s capability to manage security\
        \ risks."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1.e
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:3.1
      ref_id: 3.1.e
      description: "the entity\u2019s strategies to implement security risk management,\
        \ maintain a positive risk culture and deliver against the PSPF"
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-4
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: GOVSEC-4
      name: Security Maturity Monitoring
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:4.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-4
      ref_id: '4.1'
      description: Each entity must assess the maturity of its security capability
        and risk culture by considering its progress against the goals and strategic
        objectives identified in its security plan.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-5
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: GOVSEC-5
      name: Reporting on Security
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-5
      ref_id: '5.1'
      description: 'Each entity must report on security:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a
      assessable: false
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1
      ref_id: 5.1.a
      description: 'each financial year to its portfolio minister and the Attorney-General''s
        Department on:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a.i
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a
      ref_id: 5.1.a.i
      description: whether the entity achieved security outcomes through effectively
        implementing and managing requirements under the PSPF.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a.ii
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a
      ref_id: 5.1.a.ii
      description: "the maturity of the entity\u2019s security capability."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a.iii
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a
      ref_id: 5.1.a.iii
      description: "key risks to the entity\u2019s people, information and assets."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a.iv
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.a
      ref_id: 5.1.a.iv
      description: details of measures taken to mitigate or otherwise manage identified
        security risks.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1
      ref_id: 5.1.b
      description: to affected entities whose interests or security arrangements could
        be affected by the outcome of unmitigated security risks, security incidents
        or vulnerabilities in PSPF implementation
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:5.1
      ref_id: 5.1.c
      description: to the Australian Signals Directorate in relation to cyber security
        matters.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-6
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: GOVSEC-6
      name: ' Security Governance for Contracted Goods and Services Providers'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:6.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-6
      ref_id: '6.1'
      description: Each entity is accountable for the security risks arising from
        procuring goods and services, and must ensure contracted providers comply
        with relevant PSPF requirements.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-7
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: GOVSEC-7
      name: Security Governance for International Sharing
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:7.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:govsec-7
      ref_id: '7.1'
      description: Each entity must adhere to any provisions concerning the security
        of people, information and assets contained in international agreements and
        arrangements to which Australia is a party.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-8
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: INFOSEC-8
      name: Sensitive and Classified Information
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:8.1
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-8
      ref_id: '8.1'
      description: 'Each entity must:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:8.1.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:8.1
      ref_id: 8.1.a
      description: identify information asset holdings.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:8.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:8.1
      ref_id: 8.1.b
      description: assess the sensitivity and security classification of information
        asset holdings.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:8.1.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:8.1
      ref_id: 8.1.c
      description: implement operational controls for these assets proportional to
        their value, importance and sensitivity.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-9
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: INFOSEC-9
      name: Access to Information
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:9.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-9
      ref_id: '9.1'
      description: 'Each entity must enable appropriate access to official information.
        This includes:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:9.1.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:9.1
      ref_id: 9.1.a
      description: sharing information within the entity, as well as with other relevant
        stakeholders.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:9.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:9.1
      ref_id: 9.1.b
      description: ensuring that those who access sensitive or security classified
        information have an appropriate security clearance and need to know that information.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:9.1.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:9.1
      ref_id: 9.1.c
      description: "controlling access to supporting ICT systems, networks (including\
        \ remote access), \n infrastructure and applications."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-10
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: INFOSEC-10
      name: Safeguarding Information from Cyber Threats
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-10
      ref_id: '10.1'
      description: 'Each entity must mitigate common and emerging cyber threats by:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a
      assessable: false
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1
      ref_id: 10.1.a
      description: 'implementing the following mitigation strategies from the Strategies
        to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a.i
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a
      ref_id: 10.1.a.i
      description: Application control
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a.ii
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a
      ref_id: 10.1.a.ii
      description: Patching applications
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a.iii
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a
      ref_id: 10.1.a.iii
      description: Restricting administrative privileges
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a.iv
      assessable: true
      depth: 4
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.a
      ref_id: 10.1.a.iv
      description: Patching operating systems
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:10.1
      ref_id: 10.1.b
      description: considering which of the remaining mitigations strategies from
        the Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents you need to implement
        to protect your entity.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-11
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: INFOSEC-11
      name: Robust ICT System
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:11.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:infosec-11
      ref_id: '11.1'
      description: "Each entity must ensure the secure operation of their ICT systemsto\
        \ safeguard information and the continuous delivery of government business\
        \ by applying the Australian Government Information Security Manual\u2019\
        s cyber security principlesduring all stages of the lifecycle of each system."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:persec-12
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: PERSEC-12
      name: Eligibility and Suitability of Personnel
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:12.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:persec-12
      ref_id: '12.1'
      description: Each entity must ensure the eligibility and suitability of its
        personnel who have access to Australian Government resources (people, information
        and assets).
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:12.2
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:persec-12
      ref_id: '12.2'
      description: Entities must use the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency
        (AGSVA) to conduct vetting, or where authorised, conduct security vetting
        in a manner consistent with the Personnel Security Vetting Standards.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:persec-13
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: PERSEC-13
      name: Eligibility and Suitability of Personnel
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:13.1
      assessable: true
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:persec-13
      ref_id: '13.1'
      description: Each entity must assess and manage the ongoing suitability of its
        personnel and share relevant information of security concern, where appropriate.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:persec-14
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: PERSEC-14
      name: Separating Personnel
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:14.1
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:persec-14
      ref_id: '14.1'
      description: 'Each entity must ensure that separating personnel:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:14.1.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:14.1
      ref_id: 14.1.a
      description: have their access to Australian Government resources withdrawn.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:14.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:14.1
      ref_id: 14.1.b
      description: are informed of any ongoing security obligations.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:physec-15
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: PHYSEC-15
      name: Physical Security for Entity Resources
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:15.1
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:physec-15
      ref_id: '15.1'
      description: 'Each entity must implement physical security measures that minimise
        or remove the risk of:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:15.1.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:15.1
      ref_id: 15.1.a
      description: harm to people
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:15.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:15.1
      ref_id: 15.1.b
      description: information and physical asset resources being made inoperable
        or inaccessible, or being accessed, used or removed without appropriate authorisation.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:physec-16
      assessable: false
      depth: 1
      ref_id: PHYSEC-16
      name: Physical Security for Entity Resources
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:16.1
      assessable: false
      depth: 2
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:physec-16
      ref_id: '16.1'
      description: 'Each entity must:'
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:16.1.a
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:16.1
      ref_id: 16.1.a
      description: ensure it fully integrates protective security in the process of
        planning, selecting, designing and modifying its facilities for the protection
        of people, information and physical assets.
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:16.1.b
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:16.1
      ref_id: 16.1.b
      description: "in areas where sensitive or security classified information and\
        \ assets are used, transmitted, stored or discussed, certify its facility\u2019\
        s physical security zones in accordance with the applicable ASIO Technical\
        \ Notes."
    - urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:16.1.c
      assessable: true
      depth: 3
      parent_urn: urn:intuitem:risk:req_node:pspf:16.1
      ref_id: 16.1.c
      description: accredit its security zones.
