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CFG-21: Restrict Access To Security Functions

CFG 7 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to ensure security functions are restricted to authorized individuals and enforce least privilege control requirements for necessary job functions.

Renumbered: Formerly END-16 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization ensure security functions are restricted to authorized individuals and enforce least privilege control requirements for necessary job functions?

General (17)
Framework Mapping Values
GovRAMP SC-03
GovRAMP High SC-03
NIST 800-53 R4 SC-3
NIST 800-53 R5.2 SC-03
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) SC-03
NIST 800-82 R3 SC-03
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay SC-03
NIST 800-160 Vol2 R1 SC-03
OWASP Top 10 2025 A01:2025 A05:2025
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 2.2.3 3.4.1 10.7.1 11.4.5 11.4.6
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) 2.2.3 11.4.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ B (source) 3.4.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ B-IP (source) 3.4.1 11.4.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) 2.2.3 3.4.1 11.4.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) 3.4.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 2.2.3 3.4.1 11.4.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 2.2.3 3.4.1 10.7.1 11.4.5 11.4.6
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) SC-03
EMEA (1)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 11.2(f)(ii)
APAC (1)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-1006

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

Endpoint Security (END) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with END domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Endpoint security management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Endpoint Security (END) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with END domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with END domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with END domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Endpoint security-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Endpoint security management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Configuration Management (CFG) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with CFG domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with CFG domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A configuration management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain CFG domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of configuration management operations (e.g., Configuration Management Database (CMBD) Asset Management solution). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with CFG domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to ensure security functions are restricted to authorized individuals and enforce least privilege control requirements for necessary job functions.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Assessment Objectives

  1. CFG-21_A01 access to security functions is restricted to authorized individuals, applying least privilege for necessary job functions.

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Separation of Duties (SoD)
  • Privileged Account Management (PAM)

Small

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Separation of Duties (SoD)
  • Privileged Account Management (PAM)

Medium

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Separation of Duties (SoD)
  • Privileged Account Management (PAM)

Large

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Separation of Duties (SoD)
  • Privileged Account Management (PAM)

Enterprise

  • Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC)
  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Separation of Duties (SoD)
  • Privileged Account Management (PAM)

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