Least Privilege and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Policy

Overview

This policy enforces the principle of least privilege and establishes role-based access control (RBAC) standards for all identities—human and non-human—across company systems, applications, and data. Its objective is to minimize risk, reduce the attack surface, and ensure that each identity is granted only the minimum access required for their legitimate business function.

Scope

This policy applies to all users (employees, contractors, third parties) and non-human identities (service accounts, APIs, automation bots, application integrations, etc.) that access company-owned, managed, or controlled resources.

Definitions

  • Least Privilege: Granting only the minimum level of access necessary for a user or system to perform their job function.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): An access control model where permissions are assigned to roles, and users or non-human identities are assigned to those roles based on business needs.
  • Non-Human Identity: Any identity used by applications, scripts, services, APIs, bots, or automated systems, rather than a specific person.
  • Privileged Account: An account (human or non-human) with elevated access, such as administrator, root, or service accounts.
  • Access Review: Periodic evaluation of all access rights to ensure they are still required and appropriate.

Policy Requirements

  1. Principle of Least Privilege:

    • All identities—human and non-human—shall be assigned only the minimum permissions necessary to complete their required tasks.
    • Default access for any new user or account is “deny all” until explicit permissions are assigned.

  2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):

    • Access permissions are grouped into roles based on business function and risk.
    • Human and non-human identities are assigned to roles, not individual entitlements.
    • Modifications to role definitions require formal approval and impact assessment.

  3. Privileged Access Controls:

    • Privileged accounts (including for APIs, integrations, and service accounts) are strictly limited, monitored, and require explicit, time-bound approval.
    • Temporary privilege escalations must be time-limited and removed when no longer needed.

  4. Non-Human Identity Management:

    • Service accounts, API keys, and bots must be provisioned with unique, traceable credentials and assigned only to specific roles.
    • Permissions for non-human identities are subject to the same least privilege and RBAC requirements as human users.

  5. Access Reviews:

    • Regular (at least annual) reviews and recertifications of all roles, memberships, and entitlements, including both human and non-human identities.
    • Any unnecessary, excessive, or orphaned access is to be removed immediately.

  6. Audit and Logging:

    • All changes to roles, privileges, and access assignments must be logged and auditable.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Managers: Define access needs for each business function; review and approve role assignments for their teams.
  • IT/Security Team: Maintain RBAC configurations; manage privileged accounts; perform regular access reviews for all identities.
  • Application/Integration Owners: Assign and regularly review roles and permissions for non-human identities.
  • Users: Only use access provided for authorized business activities; request additional access only as necessary.

Enforcement / Compliance

  • Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action, removal of access, and/or legal or regulatory penalties.
  • Supports compliance with frameworks such as NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, SOX, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.

Exceptions

Requests for exceptions must be submitted to the Chief Information Security Officer, justified with a business case, and reviewed regularly.

Review and Revision

This policy is reviewed annually or when significant changes to business processes, technology, or regulatory requirements occur.

Policy Management

Version Control

  • Current version: 1.0
  • Effective date: [Date]
  • Review frequency: Annual or upon significant technology/threat changes

Responsibilities

  • Policy Owner: Chief Information Security Officer
  • Implementation: IT Security Team
  • Compliance Monitoring: Security Operations Center
  • User Support: IT Help Desk

References

  • NIST Special Publication 800-53: Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems
  • NIST Special Publication 800-63B: Digital Identity Guidelines
  • ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Annex A.9: Access Control
  • OWASP Authorization Best Practices
  • SANS Institute RBAC Policy Template

Everyday Identity – Breaking down Identity, one post at a time.
This document is intended as a general best-practices template and should be customized to meet your organization’s specific legal, compliance, and operational needs.