IAC-21: Restrictions on Shared Groups / Accounts
Mechanisms exist to authorize the use of shared/group accounts only under certain organization-defined conditions.
Renumbered: Formerly IAC-15.5 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, IAC-21 was Least Privilege. That control is now IAC-30.
Control Question: Does the organization authorize the use of shared/group accounts only under certain organization-defined conditions?
General (20)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| GovRAMP | AC-02(09) |
| GovRAMP Moderate | AC-02(09) |
| GovRAMP High | AC-02(09) |
| IEC 62443-2-1 2024 | USER 1.12 |
| ISO 27002 2022 | 5.16 |
| ISO 27018 2025 | 5.16 |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | AC-2(9) |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | AC-02(09) |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | AC-02(09) |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.01.01.c.01 |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.01.01.c.01 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) | 8.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A (source) | 8.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) | 8.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ B-IP (source) | 8.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) | 8.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) | 8.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) | 8.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) | 8.2.2 |
| TISAX ISA 6.0.3 | 4.1.3 |
US (7)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | AC-02(09) |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | AC-02(09) |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | AC-2(CE-9) |
| USA Federal NERC CIP 2024 | CIP-007-6 5.3 |
| USA Federal TSA SDP 2021-02F | III.C.4 III.C.4.a III.C.4.b |
| USA Federal TSA / DHS 1580/82-2022-01 | III.C.4 III.C.4.a III.C.4.b |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | AC-02 (09) |
EMEA (5)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 | op.acc.1 |
| EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 | Article 21.1(c) Article 33.1(b) |
| EMEA EU EBA GL/2019/04 | 3.4.2.31(b) |
| EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 | 11.5.3 |
| EMEA LUX CCSF 20/750 2020 | 3.4.2-31.b |
APAC (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 | 16.1.27.C.01 16.1.27.C.02 16.1.28.C.01 16.1.33.C.01 16.1.34.C.01 |
| APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 | 5.2.1(c) 5.3.1(e) 12.3.2 |
Americas (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Argentina Reg 132 2018 | B.2.3-8 |
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.01.01.C.01 |
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.
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 authorize the use of shared/group accounts only under certain organization-defined conditions.
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
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. ▪ Based on predictive analysis, process improvements are implemented according to “continuous improvement” practices that affect process changes. ▪ Stakeholders make time-sensitive decisions to support operational efficiency, which may include automated remediation actions via Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.
Assessment Objectives
- IAC-21_A01 conditions for establishing shared and group accounts are defined.
- IAC-21_A02 the use of shared and group accounts is only permitted if organization-defined conditions are met.
Evidence Requirements
- E-IAC-08 Conditions for Group / Role Membership
-
Documented evidence of conditions for group and role membership.
Identity & Access Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Avoid shared accounts; use individual accounts where possible
Small
- Policy restricting shared account usage
- Individual accountability required
Medium
- Formal shared account policy
- Technical controls limiting shared account use
Large
- PAM for shared account management with individual accountability (e.g., CyberArk)
Enterprise
- Enterprise PAM platform (e.g., CyberArk, BeyondTrust)
- Shared account vaulting with individual checkout
- Full session recording