What is NIST 800-171 Control 3.13.3?
This control ensures that users cannot accidentally—or intentionally—access system management functions. Administrative functionality should only be accessible through:
• Privileged accounts
• Dedicated management networks or consoles
• Secure interfaces isolated from general user environments
This separation helps enforce least privilege, reduce risk, and protect the core of your systems.
Why It Matters
Blending user and administrative functions increases the risk of:
• Misuse of powerful commands or interfaces
• Accidental changes to system configurations
• Lateral movement by attackers from compromised user accounts
Separating these functions creates layers of defense and accountability.
How to Implement It
• Create dedicated admin accounts separate from user accounts (no dual use)
• Limit access to system management interfaces to specific IPs, networks, or jump boxes
• Use multi-factor authentication and role-based access control for system administration
• Audit all administrative access separately from user activity
• Educate users and admins on access separation policies
Common Mistakes
• Letting IT staff use the same account for everyday use and admin tasks
• Exposing admin portals or interfaces to the same networks as user traffic
• Not logging administrative actions separately from general use
How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac enforces user/management separation by:
• Providing dedicated administrative access pathways separate from user-facing systems
• Requiring unique credentials and MFA for privileged accounts
• Logging all administrative actions for audit and compliance
• Helping organizations document and maintain least privilege environments
With Cuick Trac, users stay in their lane—and admins stay in control.
Final CTA
Keep management access out of the hands of general users.
Book a Cuick Trac demo and enforce clear lines between everyday access and system control.