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Need to Know

What is Need to Know?

A security principle that restricts access to information to only those individuals who require it to perform their specific job duties.

Information Security

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as need to know. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on need to know

Requirements naming need to know across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

The need-to-know principle is enforced for database contents through the application of minimum privileges, database views, database roles and data tokenisation.

ISM-1268 · The need-to-know principle is enforced for database contents through the application of mi
PCI DSS 4.01 control

An access control system(s) is in place that restricts access based on a user's need to know and covers all system components

pci-dss-4-0::7.3.1 · An access control system(s) is in place that restricts access based on a user's need to know and covers all system components

Configure data access control lists based on a user's need to know. Apply ACLs on file systems, databases, and applications.

3.3 · Configure Data Access Control Lists
C5 (Germany)1 control

Give cloud users a roles and rights concept for managing access, describing the rights profiles available for each service function so that permissions can follow least privilege and need to know, and operational duties can be kept separate from controlling on...

C5-PSS-08 · Roles and Rights Concept

Configure data access control lists based on a user’s need to know. Apply data access control lists, also known as access permissions, to local and remote file systems, databases, and applications.

CIS-3.3 · Configure Data Access Control Lists

Track and report vulnerability identification and remediation activity, including notification to the stakeholders who need to know.

CCM-TVM-09 · Vulnerability Management Reporting

Questions people ask about need to know

What is Need to Know?
A security principle that restricts access to information to only those individuals who require it to perform their specific job duties.
Why is Need to Know important for compliance?
Need to Know is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding need to know helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Need to Know?
Need to Know appears in the requirement text of Australian Information Security Manual, PCI DSS 4.0, BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9, C5 (Germany), CIS Controls v8. Across these standards we have identified 6 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Need to Know?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how need to know applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Need to Know applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.