Systems and methods for Tandem Connection Monitor (TCM) control for the physical layer on Optical Transport Unit (OTU) ports provide the ability of the TCM status to directly control client laser state (on/off) so that protection engines and coordination between modules is not required. The systems and methods include receiving a specific defect such as a Tandem Connection Monitor (TCM) defect or a Server Signal Fail (SSF) defect from interface circuitry; propagating the TCM defect or the SSF defect from the interface circuitry to an interface associated with a modem including a physical port connected to a network; and selectively disabling a laser in the modem based on the specific defect, e.g., the TCM defect or the SSF defect from the interface circuitry.