IAC-08.2: Authorized Accounts
Mechanisms exist to define and document the types of accounts allowed and prohibited on Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).
Renumbered: Formerly IAC-20.7 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization define and document the types of accounts allowed and prohibited on Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS)?
General (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.01.01.a |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.01.01.A |
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
SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).
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 define and document the types of accounts allowed and prohibited on Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS).
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
- IAC-08.2_A01 the types of accounts allowed on Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) are defined and documented.
- IAC-08.2_A02 the types of accounts prohibited on Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) are defined and documented.
Evidence Requirements
- E-DCH-08 Authorization Documentation
-
Documented evidence of that identifies authorized users and processes acting on behalf of authorized users.
Data Protection - E-IAC-10 Active Accounts
-
Documented evidence of active system accounts and the name of the individual associated with each account.
Identity & Access Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Microsoft Active Directory (https://microsoft.com)
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
- AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)
Small
- Microsoft Active Directory (https://microsoft.com)
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
- AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)
Medium
- Microsoft Active Directory (https://microsoft.com)
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
- AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)
Large
- Microsoft Active Directory (https://microsoft.com)
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
- AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)
Enterprise
- Microsoft Active Directory (https://microsoft.com)
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
- AWS IAM (https://aws.amazon.com)