This policy establishes the rules for managing the entire lifecycle of user accounts, from creation to deletion. It ensures every user has a unique ID, that powerful 'admin' rights are tightly controlled, and that access is removed promptly when no longer needed.
-
Control Privileged Access: Implement strict approval and logging for all administrator accounts to prevent misuse and reduce the risk of a major breach.
-
Enforce Least Privilege: Grant users only the minimum access they need to do their jobs, significantly shrinking your attack surface.
-
Eliminate Shared Accounts: Ensure every action is traceable to a unique individual by prohibiting the use of shared or generic login credentials.
-
Streamline Audits: Simplify compliance with a documented process for account creation, regular access reviews, and timely de-provisioning.
Read Full Overview
The User Account and Privilege Management Policy for SMEs is designed to establish robust controls for managing user accounts and privileges across all information systems and services. This policy ensures that access to organizational resources is granted based on validated identity, necessity of role, and principles of least privilege and separation of duties. By aligning with internationally recognized standards such as ISO 27001:2022, GDPR, and NIST SP 800-53, it addresses the needs of small to medium enterprises to maintain high security standards. This policy not only mitigates the risk of data breaches and privilege misuse but also instills confidence in stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with relevant laws and standards.
What's Inside
- User Account Lifecycle Management
- Privileged Access (Admin) Controls
- Least Privilege Principle Enforcement
- Password & MFA Requirements
- Regular Access Reviews
- Service & Third-Party Accounts
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Enforcement & Compliance
Built for Leaders, By Leaders
This policy provides a clear, manageable framework to take control of user access—a critical step in protecting your business from both internal and external threats. It was authored by a security leader to be a practical framework that stands up to auditor scrutiny.
Authored by an expert holding:
Framework Compliance
🛡️ Supported Standards & Frameworks
This product is aligned with the following compliance frameworks, with detailed clause and control mappings.
| Framework | Covered Clauses / Controls |
|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 27001:2022 | 5.38.1 |
| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 | 8.2 |
| NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 | AC-2AC-5AC-6 |
| EU GDPR | Art. 32 |
| EU NIS2 | Art. 21(2)(d) |
| EU DORA | Art. 9(2)(b) |
| COBIT 2019 | DSS05.03DSS05.04 |
Part of a Complete ISMS Toolkit
This policy is one of 37 documents in our complete toolkit. When implemented as a set, our framework helps you achieve comprehensive compliance across major standards.
100%
ISO 27001:2022
95%
NIST
88%
NIS2
75%
DORA
70%
GDPR
Related Policies
This foundational policy is directly linked to the following organizational security policies to ensure comprehensive alignment and traceability across the ISMS.
P2S - Governance Roles & Responsibilities Policy
Establishes accountability for access approvals and oversight.
P4S - Access Control Policy
Governs system-wide access control enforcement and authentication.
P7S - Onboarding and Termination Policy
Ensures account creation and removal are built into HR processes.
P8S - Information Security Awareness & Training Policy
Trains users on secure account practices and usage expectations.
P30S - Incident Response Policy
Defines actions to be taken if account misuse leads to a breach.
About This Policy
A User Account and Privilege Management Policy is a critical security document that defines how an organization controls and monitors user access to its digital resources. For Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), where roles can be fluid and resources limited, a formal policy is essential to prevent unauthorized access and manage insider threats. It establishes a structured process for creating, modifying, and deleting user accounts, ensuring that every action is approved, documented, and traceable.
This policy is built on the core principles of unique identification, least privilege, and separation of duties. It mandates that shared accounts are prohibited, users are only given the minimum necessary access, and powerful administrative privileges are tightly controlled and reviewed. By implementing this ISO 27001:2022-aligned policy, your SME can significantly reduce its attack surface, demonstrate compliance to auditors, and ensure accountability for all user activity across your systems.
