RMF Control AC-2: Account Management is a cybersecurity control that helps to protect information systems by ensuring that accounts are created, modified, and removed in a secure and controlled manner. This control is important because it helps to prevent unauthorized access to information systems and data.
Account Management Requirements
The RMF Control AC-2: Account Management requirements are specified in NIST Special Publication 800-53, Revision 5. The requirements state that the organization must:
- Identify and select the following types of information system accounts to support organizational missions/business functions: [Assignment: organization-defined information system account types];
- Assign account managers for information system accounts;
- Establish conditions for group and role membership;
- Specify authorized users of the information system, group and role membership, and access authorizations (i.e., privileges) and other attributes (as required) for each account;
- Require approvals by [Assignment: organization-defined personnel or roles] for requests to create information system accounts;
- Create, enable, modifies, disables, and removes information system accounts in accordance with [Assignment: organization-defined procedures or conditions];
- Monitor the use of information system accounts;
- Notify account managers:
- When accounts are no longer required;
- When users are terminated or transferred; and
- When individual information system usage or need-to-know changes;
- Authorize access to the information system based on:
- A valid access authorization;
- Intended system usage; and
- Other attributes as required by the organization or associated missions/business functions;
- Review accounts for compliance with account management requirements [Assignment: organization-defined frequency]; and
- Establish a process for reissuing shared/group account credentials (if deployed) when individuals are removed from the group.
Account Management Best Practices
In addition to the RMF Control AC-2: Account Management requirements, there are a number of best practices that organizations can follow to improve their account management posture. These best practices include:
- Using a role-based access control (RBAC) system to manage user access to information systems and data. RBAC systems allow organizations to assign users to roles, and then grant permissions to those roles. This can help to simplify account management and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts. Strong passwords are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to enter a code from their phone in addition to their password when logging in.
- Regularly reviewing account permissions to ensure that users only have the access they need. This can help to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.
- Disabling or deleting accounts when they are no longer needed. This can help to reduce the attack surface of the organization’s information systems.
Conclusion
RMF Control AC-2: Account Management is an important cybersecurity control that helps to protect information systems by ensuring that accounts are created, modified, and removed in a secure and controlled manner. By following the RMF Control AC-2: Account Management requirements and best practices, organizations can help to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to information systems and data.