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IAC-30: Least Privilege

IAC 10 — Critical Protect

Mechanisms exist to utilize the concept of least privilege, allowing only authorized access to processes necessary to accomplish assigned tasks in accordance with organizational business functions.

Renumbered: Formerly IAC-21 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization utilize the concept of least privilege, allowing only authorized access to processes necessary to accomplish assigned tasks in accordance with organizational business functions?

General (48)
Framework Mapping Values
AICPA TSC 2017:2022 (used for SOC 2) (source) CC5.2-POF3 CC6.1 CC6.1-POF7 CC6.1-POF12 CC6.1-POF13
CIS CSC 8.1 5.4
CIS CSC 8.1 IG1 5.4
CIS CSC 8.1 IG2 5.4
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 5.4
CSA CCM 4.1.0 IAM-05 IAM-13
CSA IoT SCF 2 IAM-06
GovRAMP AC-06
GovRAMP Core AC-06
GovRAMP Low+ AC-06
GovRAMP Moderate AC-06
GovRAMP High AC-06
IEC TR 60601-4-5 2021 4.4
ISO 27002 2022 5.15 5.18 8.3 8.12
ISO 27017 2015 9.1.1 9.1.2 9.2.1 9.2.2
ISO 27018 2025 5.15 5.18 8.3 8.12
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 T1036 T1036.003 T1036.005 T1041 T1047 T1048 T1048.002 T1048.003 T1052 T1052.001 T1053 T1053.002 T1053.003 T1053.005 T1053.006 T1053.007 T1055 T1055.001 T1055.002 T1055.003 T1055.004 T1055.005 T1055.008 T1055.009 T1055.011 T1055.012 T1055.013 T1055.014 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 T1068 T1070 T1070.001 T1070.002 T1070.003 T1070.007 T1070.008 T1070.009 T1072 T1078 T1078.001 T1078.002 T1078.003 T1078.004 T1087.004 T1091 T1098 T1098.001 T1098.002 T1098.003 T1098.004 T1098.005 T1098.006 T1098.007 T1106 T1110 T1110.001 T1110.002 T1110.003 T1110.004 T1112 T1133 T1134 T1134.001 T1134.002 T1134.003 T1134.005 T1136 T1136.001 T1136.002 T1136.003 T1137 T1137.001 T1137.002 T1137.003 T1137.004 T1137.005 T1137.006 T1176 T1185 T1189 T1190 T1195 T1197 T1199 T1200 T1203 T1210 T1211 T1212 T1213 T1213.001 T1213.002 T1213.003 T1213.004 T1213.005 T1218 T1218.007 T1218.015 T1222 T1222.001 T1222.002 T1484 T1485 T1485.001 T1486 T1489 T1490 T1491 T1491.001 T1491.002 T1495 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 T1546.011 T1546.013 T1546.016 T1547.003 T1547.004 T1547.006 T1547.009 T1547.012 T1547.013 T1548 T1548.002 T1548.003 T1548.005 T1548.006 T1550 T1550.002 T1550.003 T1552 T1552.001 T1552.002 T1552.006 T1552.007 T1553 T1553.003 T1553.006 T1555 T1555.002 T1555.006 T1556 T1556.001 T1556.003 T1556.004 T1556.005 T1556.006 T1556.007 T1556.008 T1556.009 T1558 T1558.001 T1558.002 T1558.003 T1558.005 T1559 T1559.001 T1559.002 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 T1566.003 T1567 T1569 T1569.001 T1569.002 T1574 T1574.004 T1574.005 T1574.007 T1574.008 T1574.009 T1574.010 T1574.011 T1574.012 T1574.014 T1578 T1578.001 T1578.002 T1578.003 T1578.005 T1580 T1599 T1599.001 T1601 T1601.001 T1601.002 T1606 T1606.001 T1606.002 T1609 T1610 T1611 T1612 T1613 T1619 T1621 T1647 T1648 T1651 T1654 T1657
MPA Content Security Program 5.3.1 TS-1.7
NIST 800-53 R4 AC-6
NIST 800-53 R5.2 AC-06 SA-08(14)
NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) AC-06
NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) AC-06
NIST SP 800-66 R2 164.308(a)(3) 164.312(a)
NIST 800-82 R3 AC-06 SA-08(14)
NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay AC-06
NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay AC-06
NIST 800-160 Vol2 R1 AC-06
NIST 800-161 R1 AC-6
NIST 800-171 R2 (source) 3.1.5
NIST 800-171 R3 (source) 03.01.01.c.03 03.01.01.d.01 03.01.01.d.02 03.01.02 03.01.04.b 03.01.05.a 03.01.05.b 03.01.06.a 03.01.07.a 03.03.08.a 03.03.08.b 03.04.05
NIST 800-171A (source) 3.1.5[b] 3.1.5[c] 3.1.5[d]
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.03.01.04.a A.03.01.05.a A.03.01.05.b[01] A.03.01.05.b[02] A.03.01.06.a A.03.01.07.a A.03.03.08.a[02] A.03.03.08.b A.03.04.05[04]
NIST 800-207 NIST Tenet 3
NIST CSF 2.0 (source) PR.AA-05 PR.DS-10
NIST Privacy Framework 1.0 PR.AC-P4
OWASP Top 10 2025 A01:2025
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 1.3 3.4 3.4.2 7.1 7.2 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.6 7.3 7.3.1 7.3.2 7.3.3 8.6 8.6.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ A-EP (source) 7.2.2 8.6.1
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 8.6.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ C-VT (source) 7.2.2
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Merchant (source) 3.4.2 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.6 7.3.1 7.3.2 7.3.3 8.6.1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 3.4.2 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.6 7.3.1 7.3.2 7.3.3 8.6.1
SCF DPMP 2026 7.1
SPARTA 4.0 CM0039
SWIFT CSF 2025 1.2 2.3 2.10 5.1
TISAX ISA 6.0.3 4.2.1
US (23)
EMEA (19)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA CHE FINMA Circular 2023/1 IV.D-78
EMEA Germany C5 2026 IAM-01.02B.3 IAM-06.02B CRY-11.01B.2 DEV-01.02B COM-02.02B.1 INQ-03.01B PSS-08.02B
EMEA Spain CCN-STIC 825 op.acc.2 op.acc.4 op.acc.5
EMEA Spain Royal Decree 311 2022 Article 12(6)(h) Article 20
EMEA EU DORA 2023 Article 9.4(c)
EMEA EU DORA RTS 2024 Article 21.1(a) Article 33.1(a)
EMEA EU EBA GL/2019/04 3.4.2.31(a)
EMEA EU NIS2 Annex 2024 6.7.2(g) 11.2.2(a) 11.2.2(d) 11.3.2(c) 11.3.2(d)
EMEA UK Cyber Essentials 3.3 2-BP1
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 2024 2205 2206
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L1 2024 2205 2206
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L2 2024 2205 2206
EMEA UK DEFSTAN 05-138 - L3 2024 2205 2206
EMEA LUX CCSF 20/750 2020 3.4.2-31.a 3.4.2-32
EMEA LUX CCSF 22/806 2022 83 119.a
EMEA Saudi Arabia IoT CGIoT-1 2024 2-2-1
EMEA Saudi Arabia OTCC-1 2022 2-3-1-4
EMEA Saudi Arabia SACS-002 2022 VII.B.TPC-34
EMEA Saudi Arabia SAMA CSF 1.0 2017 3.3.5
APAC (11)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia CCM 2026 PRO-12
APAC Australia IoT Code of Practice 2024 6.0
APAC Australia Essential 8 2024 ISM-1508
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-0441 ISM-0611 ISM-1392 ISM-1508 ISM-1833
APAC India RBI PA 2025 Annex 1.1.10
APAC India SEBI CSCRF 2024 PR.AA.S3
APAC Japan ISMAP 9.1.2 9.1.2.1 9.1.2.2 9.1.2.3 9.1.2.4 9.1.2.5 9.1.2.6 9.1.2.7 9.1.2.8
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 10.54(b) A2-C11(c) A7-D2(c) A10-B3(b)(iv)
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 16.2.4.C.01 23.4.10.C.01
APAC Singapore CCOP CII 2026 3.7.1(b) 5.2.1(a) 12.2.1 A.2.2
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 9.1.7
Americas (2)
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 03.01.04.B 03.01.05.A 03.01.05.B 03.01.06.A 03.01.07.A 03.03.08.A 03.03.08.B 03.04.05
Americas Canada OSFI B-13 2022 3.2.7

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 utilize the concept of least privilege, allowing only authorized access to processes necessary to accomplish assigned tasks in accordance with organizational business 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. IAC-30_A01 organization-defined systems or system components implement the security design principle of least privilege.
  2. IAC-30_A02 privileged accounts are identified.
  3. IAC-30_A03 access to privileged accounts is authorized in accordance with the principle of least privilege.
  4. IAC-30_A04 systems or system components that implement the security design principle of least privilege are defined.
  5. IAC-30_A05 approved authorizations for logical access to system resources are enforced in accordance with applicable access control policies.
  6. IAC-30_A06 system access for users (or processes acting on behalf of users) is authorized only when necessary to accomplish assigned organizational tasks.
  7. IAC-30_A07 security functions are identified.
  8. IAC-30_A08 access to security functions is authorized in accordance with the principle of least privilege.

Evidence Requirements

E-IAC-02 Defined Roles & Authorizations (RBAC)

Documented evidence of defined access control-specific roles (e.g., Role Based Access Control (RBAC)) that affect both logical and physical access authorizations.

Identity & Access Management

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)

Small

  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)

Medium

  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)

Large

  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)

Enterprise

  • Role Based Access Control (RBAC)

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