Scope
Objectives
Standard
Definitions
Sanctions
Additional Contacts
History
Policy information: IT-12 Access Control (AC) Standard
About This Standard
Status: Effective July 9, 2024
Responsible University Office: University Information Policy Office
Responsible University Administrator: Office of the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Contact: University Information Security Office uiso@iu.edu
Scope
This standard supports Policy IT-12 (Security of Information Technology Resources) and applies to all Indiana University information technology resources, regardless of whether those resources are managed by the university or provisioned from third parties on behalf of the university, and to all users of those resources regardless of affiliation.
Objectives
The key objectives of this standard are to ensure that access to IT resources is limited:
- To authorized users,
- To processes acting on behalf of authorized users or devices (including other information systems), and
- To the types of transactions and functions authorized users are permitted to execute.
Standard
The following tables detail baseline security controls for access control that are to be applied to a particular information technology resource based on its security categorization. Select controls as applicable. For example, all controls may not apply to every system component or technology, or to situations governed by specific regulations.
Control: | Account Management | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | Low |
IU Implementation |
| ||
Notes | A system can meet the requirements of this safeguard by leveraging centrally provisioned IU accounts or IU Active Directory for authentication. Related policies: | ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-2 | ||
Control: | Access Enforcement | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | Low |
IU Implementation | Ensure systems enforce authorizations to systems, applications, and data in accordance with security categorization and university policy. | ||
Notes | Examples of technical access control mechanisms include passwords, roles, encryption, etc. A system may meet some or all of the requirements of this safeguard by leveraging centrally provisioned authentication and group management. | ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-3 | ||
Control: | Least Privilege | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | Low |
IU Implementation |
| ||
Notes | A system can meet this safeguard by leveraging centrally provisioned IU systems, IU Login, or IU Active Directory for authentication. | ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-6 | ||
Control: | Unsuccessful Login Attempts | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | Low |
IU Implementation | Where feasible, lock out access after 25 unsuccessful login attempts for a minimum of 10 minutes. | ||
Notes | A system can meet this safeguard by leveraging centrally provisioned IU systems, IU Login, or IU Active Directory for authentication. | ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-7 | ||
Control: | Device Lock | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | Low |
IU Implementation | Whenever feasible, employ a session lock/screen lock on any device or application after 15 minutes of user inactivity. | ||
Notes | The time period should be consistent across all devices managed by individual teams. | ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-11 | ||
Control: | Wireless Access | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | |
IU Implementation | When accessing IU resources from wireless networks external to IU, ensure that the Wi-Fi connection is encrypted. | ||
Notes |
| ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-18 | ||
Control: | Access Control for Mobile Devices | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | Low |
IU Implementation | All mobile devices used by faculty, staff, affiliates, or student-employees to access, store, or manipulate institutional data must follow IT-12.1 (Mobile Device Security Standard). | ||
Notes | Refer to IT-12.1 (Mobile Device Security Standard) for details. | ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-19 | ||
Control: | Use of External Systems | ||
Required for: | High | Moderate | |
IU Implementation |
| ||
Notes | Related policies:
Does not apply to students using their personal computers/devices in their role as students. | ||
NIST Cross Reference | AC-20 | ||
Definitions
Standard – Standards (like procedures) support policy by further describing specific implementation details (i.e., the "how"). A standard can be thought of as an extension of policy that articulates the rules, mechanisms, technical or procedural requirements, or specifications to be used in carrying out/complying with policy. Standards, along with procedures, promote a consistent approach to following policy. Standards make policies more practically meaningful and effective. Standards are definitional and clarifying in nature, specifying the minimums necessary to meet policy objectives. Because standards directly support policies, compliance with standards is nonoptional and failure to follow standards may result in sanctions imposed by the appropriate university office.
Sanctions
Indiana University will handle reports of misuse and abuse of information and information technology resources in accordance with existing policies and procedures issued by appropriate authorities. Depending on the individual and circumstances involved, this could include the Office of Human Resources, Vice Provost or Vice Chancellor of Faculties (or campus equivalent), Dean of Students (or campus equivalent), Office of the Vice President and General Counsel, and/or appropriate law enforcement agencies. See Policy IT-02 (Misuse and Abuse of Information Technology Resources) for more details.
Failure to comply with Indiana University information technology policies may result in sanctions relating to the individual's use of information technology resources (such as suspension or termination of access, or removal of online material); the individual's employment (up to and including immediate termination of employment in accordance with applicable university policy); the individual's studies within the university (such as student discipline in accordance with applicable university policy); civil or criminal liability; or any combination of these.
Additional Contacts
| Subject | Contact | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions about the standard | University Information Security Office | 812-855-UISO (8476) |
History
Initial draft - February 12, 2022
Revised - April 7, 2023
Effective - July 9, 2024