Mapped to NIST 800-171 Requirement: 3.1.1
CMMC Assessment Objective: AC.L2-3.1.1[d]
What This Objective Means
This assessment objective requires organizations to formally define “authorized users” in their written access control policies. It’s about setting a clear foundation for who should and should not be able to access your systems, which is a critical aspect of identity management and access management.
The assessor is looking for evidence that your policy clearly:
• Describes who qualifies as an authorized user (e.g., employees, contractors, partners)
• Outlines the approval process for granting access
• Identifies the types of access different roles are allowed
This helps ensure consistency across access decisions and supports accountability.
Why It Matters
If your policies don’t define who’s authorized, anyone with technical access might be considered “allowed” by default. This opens the door to:
• Inconsistencies in provisioning
• Lack of traceability in access approvals
• Difficulties during audits or security incidents
Clear policy definitions reinforce the entire access control framework and are integral to identity access management security.
How to Implement It
• Write or revise your Access Control Policy to:
◦ Define “authorized user”
◦ List user categories (e.g., full-time staff, contractors, temp workers)
◦ Include criteria for access approval
• Specify roles and responsibilities for identity and access management
• Ensure alignment between policy language and actual provisioning practices
• Review and update policies regularly to reflect changes in your workforce or technology, ensuring robust information security policies.
Evidence the Assessor Will Look For
• A documented Access Control Policy
• Policy sections that explicitly define “authorized user”
• Language that describes roles, approval procedures, and user types
• Change control or revision history to confirm the policy is current
Common Gaps
• No written policy, or policy that doesn’t mention access criteria
• Policy lists user roles but doesn’t define who is considered “authorized”
• Inconsistencies between what’s written and what’s practiced
How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac helps address this requirement by:
• Providing policy templates with clear definitions of authorized users
• Aligning actual access control enforcement with written documentation
• Helping maintain revision-controlled documentation for audit readiness
• Supporting role-based access that maps directly to policy language, enhancing security compliance management
With Cuick Trac, what’s written in policy is enforced in practice, ensuring effective identity access management.
Final CTA
Policies aren’t just paperwork—they’re the blueprint for secure access.
Schedule a Cuick Trac demo and make sure your policies reflect how you truly manage access.