Mapped to NIST 800-171 Requirement: 3.13.4
CMMC Assessment Objective: SC.L2-3.13.4
What This Control Means
Users who access CUI should not be using the same accounts, interfaces, or systems to perform administrative tasks. You must ensure that:
• Standard users cannot access system management functions
• Administrative tasks (e.g., patching, configuration changes) require elevated credentials
• Management interfaces are separated from general user interfaces and protected
This separation can be logical (e.g., different credentials) or physical (e.g., management VLANs or dedicated devices).
Why It Matters
Mixing user and admin access:
• Increases the risk of privilege misuse or accidental configuration changes
• Enables malware or adversaries to escalate from user to admin access
• Makes auditing and accountability more difficult
• Violates best practices for access control and system hardening
This control enforces the principle of least privilege and controlled access.
How to Implement It
1. Use Separate Accounts
• Require system administrators to use:
◦ A standard user account for everyday tasks
◦ A separate, privileged account for system administration
2. Restrict Access to Management Interfaces
• Use network controls (e.g., VLANs, firewall rules) to:
◦ Restrict access to routers, switches, servers, or cloud management consoles
◦ Allow only authorized IP ranges or users to connect to admin ports
3. Isolate Admin Functions
• Ensure system management:
◦ Runs on separate ports, protocols, or endpoints
◦ Is hidden or inaccessible to standard users
4. Enforce with Policies and Configurations
• Define this separation in your:
◦ Access Control Policy
◦ System Security Plan (SSP)
◦ Group Policy settings or cloud configuration profiles
5. Monitor for Violations
• Use audit logs to detect when standard users attempt administrative actions
Evidence the Assessor Will Look For
• Policy requiring separation of user and administrative functions
• Configuration screenshots showing separate accounts or restricted access
• Network firewall or ACL rules blocking user access to management consoles
• Audit logs verifying user roles and access boundaries
• SSP entries or architectural diagrams confirming interface separation
Common Gaps
• Admins use the same account for browsing and server management
• Standard users have access to server or cloud admin tools
• No network or system-level enforcement of separation
• No documentation of how access boundaries are maintained
How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac supports this requirement by:
• Enforcing separate user and admin account policies across systems
• Documenting access boundaries between users and system management interfaces
• Mapping privilege levels and system roles for compliance reviews
• Alerting on violations or risky privilege escalation
• Helping build policy language and architectural diagrams into your SSP
With Cuick Trac, admin access is restricted, monitored, and managed—exactly the way CMMC expects.
Final CTA
One role. One purpose. One secure environment.
Schedule a Cuick Trac demo to separate your user and admin access and protect your CUI from the inside out.