Information Security and Access Control Policy By Demetrius Fluker

 

Information Security and Access Control Policy

1. User Identity and Authentication Management

1.1 Identity Database Systems Management

• Maintain an inventory of each identity database system used to authenticate users, both onsite and third-party managed, ensuring all systems are accounted for and secured.
• Regularly evaluate the number of identity database systems in use and minimize their quantity wherever possible to reduce risk.

1.2 User Account Inventory and Management

• Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all user accounts across all identity databases, ensuring that only authorized users have access to critical systems.
• Regularly review user accounts to ensure the legitimacy of the accounts and that unauthorized identities do not exist.

1.3 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Require MFA for all users accessing the organization’s information systems, adding an additional layer of security to user authentication.

1.4 Credential Security

• Ensure all authentication systems store credentials using encrypted hashes with salted values and transmit credentials only over encrypted channels to safeguard sensitive information.

1.5 Provisioning and Deprovisioning of Accounts

• Implement automated processes to provision and deprovision user accounts, ensuring only users with job-specific needs have access to the appropriate identity databases.

1.6 Inactive Account Management

• Automatically disable user accounts that have been inactive for a predetermined period, ensuring that unused accounts do not pose a security risk.

1.7 Account Expiration

• Configure expiration dates for all user accounts, ensuring they automatically expire at the configured date unless renewed by authorized personnel.

1.8 Password Management

• Configure authentication systems to require the use of strong passwords. Passwords should be long, complex, and unique for each account, avoiding reuse across systems.

1.9 Cryptographic Key and Secret Management

• Implement a system to securely manage cryptographic keys and secrets shared between workforce members.

1.10 Prohibition of Generic Accounts

• Disallow the use of generic or shared accounts, concurrent logins for the same account, or the reuse of account identifiers within a specific period.

1.11 Account Lockout Policies

• Configure the organization's authentication platforms to lock user accounts after a defined number of failed authentication attempts.

1.12 Temporary Passwords

• Require users to change temporary passwords immediately upon their first login to ensure password security.

2. Data Management and Classification

2.1 Data Inventory

• Maintain inventories of all data stored on onsite systems, external, third-party, or cloud information systems, ensuring that all data, including specific elements, are tracked.

2.2 Data Categorization

• Define the categories of individuals whose data is being stored or processed and ensure the purpose for data storage or processing is clearly documented.

2.3 Data Classification

• Classify the criticality and sensitivity of all data, identifying business stakeholders who act as data owners for each data set.

2.4 Data Flow and Discovery

• Document the flow of data throughout the organization's systems and utilize inventory tools to discover and label data stored on both onsite and external systems.

2.5 Data Minimization

• Limit the collection of data to only what is necessary for approved business activities and ensure that unnecessary data is archived or destroyed according to organizational policies.

2.6 Data Security

• Encrypt data at rest and in transit to ensure data confidentiality and integrity during storage and transmission.

3. Access Control and Privileged Access Management

3.1 Access Control to Systems and Data

• Implement appropriate access controls on all systems, data objects, software, and functions to ensure that only authorized individuals have the access necessary to perform their job functions.

3.2 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

• Utilize role-based access controls, assigning permissions based on group memberships to enforce the principle of least privilege and minimize individual access levels.

3.3 System Lifecycle Management

• Ensure that each of the organization's information systems is properly managed throughout its lifecycle, including secure disposal of systems at end-of-life.

3.4 Segregation of Duties

• Implement access control policies to ensure the principle of segregation of duties, preventing any individual from having access to multiple critical functions.

4. Privileged Account Management

4.1 Privileged Account Inventory

• Maintain an inventory of all privileged user accounts authorized on the organization’s systems, including workstations, servers, network devices, appliances, and application systems.

4.2 Privileged Account Alerts

• Utilize automated systems to alert key personnel if privileged accounts are added or removed from any systems.

4.3 Unique and Dedicated Accounts

• Ensure that all privileged accounts assigned to workforce members are unique and dedicated to privileged activities only, with standard accounts used for non-privileged activities.

4.4 Privileged Account Security

• Ensure that privileged accounts do not share passwords, and enforce strong authentication methods such as MFA for all privileged account access.

4.5 Privileged Account Education

• Educate workforce members with privileged accounts about their roles and responsibilities, emphasizing security best practices and compliance.

4.6 Remote Access Restrictions

• Prohibit privileged user accounts from remotely authenticating to systems over the Internet and restrict their ability to use privileged accounts for general Internet access.

5. Monitoring, Auditing, and Continuous Improvement

5.1 Regular Audits and Reviews

• Implement processes to ensure all user accounts and access levels are regularly reviewed to verify compliance with access control policies and detect any unauthorized access.

5.2 Sensitive Data Protection

• Prevent sensitive data from being posted or shared in inappropriate public locations (e.g., websites, blogs, or social media).

5.3 Continuous Improvement

• Regularly update and improve policies and controls based on emerging threats, technology changes, and organizational needs to ensure the highest level of data protection and privacy.

Conclusion

This policy document defines the organization's commitment to managing and protecting user identities, data, and access to information systems. Through the implementation of rigorous access controls, inventory management, encryption, and regular audits, the organization ensures that it adheres to privacy, security, and compliance standards, protecting both internal and external data from unauthorized access and misuse.