In telecommunication, the term controlled area has the following meanings:

1. An area (a) in which uncontrolled movement will not result in compromise of classified information, (b) that is designed to provide administrative control and safety, or (c) that serves as a buffer for controlling access to limited-access areas.

2. An area to which security controls have been applied to protect an information-processing system's equipment and wirelines, equivalent to that required for the information transmitted through the system.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188