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IAC-04: User Provisioning & De-Provisioning

IAC 10 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to utilize a formal user registration and de-registration process that governs the assignment of access rights.

Renumbered: Formerly IAC-07 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, IAC-04 was Identification & Authentication for Devices. That control is now IAC-34.

Control Question: Does the organization utilize a formal user registration and de-registration process that governs the assignment of access rights?

General (28)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC6.2 CC6.2-POF1 CC6.2-POF3 CC6.3-POF1 CC6.3-POF2
CIS CSC 8.1 6.1 6.2
CIS CSC 8.1 IG1 6.1 6.2
CIS CSC 8.1 IG2 6.1 6.2
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 6.1 6.2
CSA CCM 4.1.0 IAM-06 IAM-07
CSA IoT SCF 2 IAM-08
IEC 62443-2-1 2024 USER 1.2
ISO 27002 2022 5.16 5.18
ISO 27017 2015 9.2.1 9.2.2
ISO 27018 2025 5.16 5.18
NIST 800-53 R4 IA-5(3)
NIST 800-53 R5.2 IA-12(04)
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) IA-12(04)
NIST SP 800-66 R2 164.308(a)(3)
NIST 800-82 R3 IA-12(04)
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay IA-12(04)
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.01.01.b 03.01.01.g.01 03.01.01.g.02 03.01.01.g.03 03.05.05.a 03.09.02.a.01 03.09.02.a.02
NIST 800-171A R3 (source) A.03.01.01.b[01] A.03.01.01.b[02] A.03.01.01.b[03] A.03.01.01.b[04] A.03.01.01.b[05] A.03.01.01.g.01 A.03.01.01.g.02 A.03.01.01.g.03 A.03.05.05.a A.03.09.02.a.01 A.03.09.02.a.02[01] A.03.09.02.a.02[02]
OWASP Top 10 2025 A01:2025
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 7.2.3 8.2.4 8.3.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A (source) 8.3.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) 7.2.3 8.2.4 8.3.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) 7.2.3 8.2.4 8.3.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) 8.2.4
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 7.2.3 8.2.4 8.3.5
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 7.2.3 8.2.4 8.3.5
TISAX ISA 6.0.3 4.1.3 4.2.1 8.2.5
US (8)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal CISA CPG 2022 2.D
USA Federal C2M2 2.1 ACCESS-1a ACCESS-1c ACCESS-1f ACCESS-2f ACCESS-2g
USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 II.C.7.b
USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) IA-12(04)
USA Federal 33 CFR Part 101 Subpart F 101.650(a)(7)
USA Federal HIPAA Security Rule NIST SP 800-66 R2 § 164.308(a)(3)(ii)(C)
USA Federal HIPAA Administrative Simplification 2013 § 164.308(a)(3)(ii)(C)
USA Federal NERC CIP 2024 CIP-004-7 6.1.1 CIP-004-7 6.1.2 CIP-004-7 6.3
EMEA (15)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA Germany BAIT 2017 6.4 6.5 6.6
EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 op.acc.1 op.acc.4 op.acc.5
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 20.2(c) Article 21.1(e) Article 21.1(e)(i)
EMEA EU EBA GL/2019/04 3.4.2.31(e)
EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 11.2.1 11.2.2(a) 11.2.2(b) 11.2.2(d)
EMEA UK Cyber Essentials 3.3 4-BP6
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 2024 2702
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L1 2024 2702
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L2 2024 2702
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L3 2024 2702
EMEA Israel CDMO 2.0 Appendix A, 9.2
EMEA LUX CCSF 20/750 2020 3.4.2-31.e
EMEA Saudi Arabia ECC-1 2018 1-9-5
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 2-2-1-10 2-2-1-11
EMEA Saudi Arabia SACS-002 2022 VII.A.TPC-6
APAC (6)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-0430
APAC Japan ISMAP 9.2.2 9.2.2.2 9.2.2.3 9.2.2.4 9.2.2.6 9.2.2.8.PB 9.2.6 9.2.6.3
APAC New Zealand HISF MLHSP 2023 HHSP04 HML04
APAC New Zealand HISF Suppliers 2023 HSUP04 HSUP35
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 23.3.20.C.01
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 9.1.2
Americas (1)
Framework Mapping Values
Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 03.01.01.B 03.01.01.G.01 03.01.01.G.02 03.01.01.G.03 03.05.05.A 03.09.02.A.01 03.09.02.A.02

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

Identification & Authentication (IAC) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with IAC domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Identity & Access Management (IAM)-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ IAM controls are primarily administrative in nature (e.g., policies & standards) to manage accounts and permissions. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel identify and implement IAM cybersecurity and data protection controls that are appropriate to address applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Identification & Authentication (IAC) 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 IAC domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with IAC 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 IAC domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Identity & Access Management (IAM)-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines) to enforce Logical Access Control (LAC). ▪ IAM may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel to implement Role Based Access Control (RBAC) practices for the management of user, group and system accounts, including privileged accounts. ▪ A directory services technology is used to centrally manage identities and permissions with RBAC. Due to technical or business limitations, asset/process owners are empowered to operate a decentralized access control program for their specific Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) that cannot be integrated into directory services. ▪ Configuration management and IAM functions collaborate to ensure Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) enforce “least privileges” on TAAS. ▪ IAM restricts the assignment of privileged accounts to entity-defined personnel and/or roles (privilege assignment requires management approval).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Identification & Authentication (IAC) 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 IAC 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 IAC domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An Identity & Access Management (IAM) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain IAC domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of IAM operations (e.g., directory services, Authenticate, Authorize and Audit (AAA) 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 IAC 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 utilize a formal user registration and de-registration process that governs the assignment of access rights.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Identification & Authentication (IAC) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). ▪ Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs). ▪ Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties. ▪ Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review). ▪ Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

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. IAC-04_A01 the validation and verification of identity evidence is conducted in person before a designated registration authority.
  2. IAC-04_A02 authorization is received from organizational personnel or roles to assign an individual, group, role, service, or device identifier.
  3. IAC-04_A03 system accounts are created in accordance with organizational policy, procedures, prerequisites, and criteria.
  4. IAC-04_A04 system accounts are enabled in accordance with organizational policy, procedures, prerequisites, and criteria.
  5. IAC-04_A05 system accounts are modified in accordance with organizational policy, procedures, prerequisites, and criteria.
  6. IAC-04_A06 system accounts are disabled in accordance with organizational policy, procedures, prerequisites, and criteria.
  7. IAC-04_A07 system accounts are removed in accordance with organizational policy, procedures, prerequisites, and criteria.

Evidence Requirements

E-HRS-18 Provisioning Checklist (Onboarding)

Documented evidence of personnel management practices to formally onboard personnel into their assigned roles.

Human Resources
E-HRS-19 Deprovisioning Checklist (Offboarding)

Documented evidence of personnel management practices to formally offboard personnel from their assigned roles due to employment termination or role change.

Human Resources

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Documented process for adding/removing user access

Small

  • User provisioning and de-provisioning procedure
  • Timely removal of access on departure

Medium

  • Formal user lifecycle management process
  • Provisioning workflows
  • Timely de-provisioning

Large

  • Enterprise IAM with automated provisioning/de-provisioning (e.g., SailPoint, Saviynt)

Enterprise

  • Enterprise IGA platform (e.g., SailPoint, Saviynt, Microsoft Entra ID Governance)
  • Automated lifecycle management
  • Role-based access provisioning

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