IAC-25: Access Enforcement
Mechanisms exist to enforce Logical Access Control (LAC) permissions that conform to the principle of "least privilege."
Renumbered: Formerly IAC-20 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, IAC-25 was Session Termination. That control is now CFG-04.5.
Control Question: Does the organization enforce Logical Access Control (LAC) permissions that conform to the principle of "least privilege."?
General (45)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF) | M1.0-POF4 |
| AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) | CC6.1 |
| COBIT 2019 | DSS05.04 |
| GovRAMP | AC-03 AC-06 |
| GovRAMP Core | AC-06 |
| GovRAMP Low | AC-03 |
| GovRAMP Low+ | AC-03 AC-06 |
| GovRAMP Moderate | AC-03 AC-06 |
| GovRAMP High | AC-03 AC-06 |
| IEC 62443-2-1 2024 | USER 2.1 |
| IEC 62443-3-3 2013 | SR 2.1 SR 2.1 RE 1 |
| ISO 27002 2022 | 5.18 |
| ISO 27017 2015 | 9.2.6 |
| ISO 27018 2025 | 5.18 |
| MITRE ATT&CK 16 | T1003 T1003.001 T1003.002 T1003.003 T1003.004 T1003.005 T1003.006 T1003.007 T1003.008 T1005 T1020.001 T1021 T1021.001 T1021.002 T1021.003 T1021.004 T1021.005 T1021.006 T1021.007 T1021.008 T1025 T1027 T1036 T1036.003 T1036.005 T1036.010 T1037 T1037.002 T1037.003 T1037.004 T1037.005 T1041 T1047 T1048 T1048.001 T1048.002 T1048.003 T1052 T1052.001 T1053 T1053.002 T1053.003 T1053.005 T1053.006 T1053.007 T1055 T1055.008 T1055.009 T1056.003 T1059 T1059.001 T1059.002 T1059.003 T1059.004 T1059.005 T1059.006 T1059.007 T1059.008 T1059.009 T1059.010 T1059.011 T1070 T1070.001 T1070.002 T1070.003 T1070.007 T1070.008 T1070.009 T1071.004 T1072 T1078 T1078.002 T1078.003 T1078.004 T1080 T1087.004 T1090 T1090.003 T1091 T1095 T1098 T1098.001 T1098.002 T1098.003 T1098.004 T1098.005 T1098.006 T1098.007 T1110 T1110.001 T1110.002 T1110.003 T1110.004 T1114 T1114.002 T1133 T1134 T1134.001 T1134.002 T1134.003 T1134.005 T1136 T1136.001 T1136.002 T1136.003 T1185 T1187 T1190 T1195 T1197 T1199 T1200 T1205 T1205.001 T1210 T1213 T1213.001 T1213.002 T1213.003 T1213.004 T1213.005 T1218 T1218.002 T1218.007 T1218.012 T1219 T1222 T1222.001 T1222.002 T1484 T1485 T1485.001 T1486 T1489 T1490 T1491 T1491.001 T1491.002 T1495 T1498 T1498.001 T1498.002 T1499 T1499.001 T1499.002 T1499.003 T1499.004 T1505 T1505.002 T1505.003 T1505.004 T1505.005 T1525 T1528 T1530 T1537 T1538 T1539 T1542 T1542.001 T1542.003 T1542.004 T1542.005 T1543 T1543.001 T1543.002 T1543.003 T1543.004 T1543.005 T1546 T1546.003 T1546.004 T1546.013 T1547.003 T1547.004 T1547.006 T1547.007 T1547.009 T1547.012 T1547.013 T1548 T1548.002 T1548.003 T1548.005 T1548.006 T1550 T1550.002 T1550.003 T1552 T1552.002 T1552.005 T1552.007 T1553 T1553.003 T1555 T1555.002 T1555.005 T1555.006 T1556 T1556.001 T1556.003 T1556.004 T1556.006 T1556.007 T1556.008 T1556.009 T1557 T1557.001 T1557.002 T1557.003 T1557.004 T1558 T1558.001 T1558.002 T1558.003 T1558.004 T1558.005 T1559 T1559.001 T1561 T1561.001 T1561.002 T1562 T1562.001 T1562.002 T1562.004 T1562.006 T1562.007 T1562.008 T1562.009 T1562.012 T1563 T1563.001 T1563.002 T1564.004 T1565 T1565.001 T1565.003 T1567 T1569 T1569.001 T1569.002 T1570 T1572 T1574 T1574.004 T1574.005 T1574.007 T1574.008 T1574.009 T1574.010 T1574.012 T1574.014 T1578 T1578.001 T1578.002 T1578.003 T1578.005 T1580 T1599 T1599.001 T1601 T1601.001 T1601.002 T1602 T1602.001 T1602.002 T1606 T1606.001 T1606.002 T1609 T1610 T1611 T1612 T1613 T1619 T1622 T1647 T1648 T1651 T1654 |
| MPA Content Security Program 5.3.1 | TS-1.7 |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | AC-3 AC-6 |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | AC-03 AC-06 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (low) (source) | AC-03 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) | AC-03 AC-06 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) | AC-03 AC-06 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | AC-03 AC-06 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay | AC-03 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | AC-03 AC-06 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | AC-03 AC-06 |
| NIST 800-160 Vol2 R1 | AC-06 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 | AC-3 AC-6 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 C-SCRM Baseline | AC-3 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Flow Down | AC-3 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 2 | AC-3 |
| NIST 800-161 R1 Level 3 | AC-3 |
| NIST 800-171 R2 (source) | 3.1.1 |
| NIST 800-171 R3 (source) | 03.01.01.c.03 03.01.01.d.01 03.01.01.d.02 03.01.02 03.01.03 03.01.04.b 03.01.05.a 03.01.05.b 03.01.06.a 03.09.02.b.02 |
| NIST 800-171A (source) | 3.1.1[a] 3.1.1[b] 3.1.1[c] 3.1.1[d] 3.1.1[e] 3.1.1[f] |
| NIST 800-171A R3 (source) | A.03.01.01.c.03 A.03.01.01.d.01 A.03.01.01.d.02 A.03.01.02[01] A.03.01.02[02] A.03.01.03[01] A.03.01.03[02] A.03.01.04.a A.03.01.05.a A.03.01.05.b[01] A.03.01.05.b[02] A.03.01.06.a A.03.09.02.b.01[02] A.03.09.02.b.02 |
| OWASP Top 10 2025 | A01:2025 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) | 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.5 7.2.6 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) | 7.2.2 7.2.5 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ B (source) | 7.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ B-IP (source) | 7.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C (source) | 7.2.2 7.2.5 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) | 7.2.2 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) | 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.5 7.2.6 |
| PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) | 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.5 7.2.6 |
| SWIFT CSF 2025 | 2.10 5.1 |
US (19)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | AC-3 AC-6 |
| USA Federal C2M2 2.1 | ACCESS-2d |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 1 | AC.L1-B.1.I |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 1 AOs | AC.L1-B.1.I[a] AC.L1-B.1.I[b] AC.L1-B.1.Ic] AC.L1-B.1.I[d] AC.L1-B.1.I[e] AC.L1-B.1.I[f] IA.L1-B.1.V[b] |
| USA Federal CMMC 2.0 Level 2 | ACL2.-3.1.1 |
| USA Federal FAR 52.204-21 | 52.204-21(b)(1)(i) |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | AC-3 AC-6 |
| USA Federal 21 CFR Part 11 2025 | 11.10(d) |
| USA Federal FFIEC ITEH 2016 | II.C.15.b |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (low) | AC-03 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | AC-03 AC-06 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | AC-03 AC-06 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (LI-SaaS) | AC-03 |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | AC-3 AC-6 |
| USA Federal GLBA CFR 314 2023 | 314.4(c)(1)(i) |
| USA Federal FINRA 2007 | 248.30(a)(2)(iii) |
| USA Texas DIR SCSC 2.2 2025 | AC-03 AC-06 |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 1 | AC-03 |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | AC-03 AC-06 |
EMEA (4)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | IAM-01.02B.1 IAM-02.02B.1 IAM-07.03B IAM-07.04B IAM-07.05B IAM-07.03AS IAM-07.04AS CRY-18.01B.3 CRY-19.01B.3 SSO-03.01B SSO-03.01AS PSS-09.01B |
| EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 | op.acc.4 op.acc.5 |
| EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 | Article 11.2(a) Article 21.1(a) Article 21.1(d) Article 33.1(a) |
| EMEA LUX CCSF 20/750 2020 | 3.4.2-31.a |
APAC (7)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC India RBI Digital Payments 2021 | 70.c 70.d |
| APAC India SEBI CSCRF 2024 | PR.AA.S15 |
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | 10.54(a) 10.57(a) 12.1(c) A7-D2(c)(ii) |
| APAC New Zealand HISF Microsmall 2023 | HMS07 |
| APAC New Zealand HISF MLHSP 2023 | HHSP10 HHSP40 HML10 HML40 |
| APAC New Zealand HISF Suppliers 2023 | HSUP09 |
| APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 | 5.1.1 5.1.2 5.1.3 |
Americas (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| Americas Canada ITSP-10-171 2025 | 03.01.01.C.03 03.01.01.D.01 03.01.01.D.02 03.01.02 03.01.03 03.01.04.B 03.01.05.A 03.01.05.B 03.01.06.A 03.09.02.B.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
SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.
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 enforce Logical Access Control (LAC) permissions that conform to the principle of "least privilege."
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-25_A01 approved authorizations for logical access to information and system resources are enforced in accordance with applicable access control policies.
- IAC-25_A02 the principle of least privilege is employed, allowing only authorized access for users (or processes acting on behalf of users) that are necessary to accomplish assigned organizational tasks.
- IAC-25_A03 authorized users are identified.
- IAC-25_A04 processes acting on behalf of authorized users are identified.
- IAC-25_A05 devices (including other systems) authorized to connect to the system are identified.
- IAC-25_A06 system access is limited to authorized users.
- IAC-25_A07 system access is limited to processes acting on behalf of authorized users.
- IAC-25_A08 system access is limited to authorized devices (including other systems).
- IAC-25_A09 systems and system components included in the scope of the specified enhanced security requirements are identified.
- IAC-25_A10 systems and system components are included in the scope of the specified enhanced security requirements.
- IAC-25_A11 systems and system components that are not included in systems and system components are segregated in purpose-specific networks.
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)