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Privileged Account

What is Privileged Account?

A user account with elevated permissions that provide administrative control over systems, databases, networks, or security configurations.

Information Security

What the standards actually require on privileged account

Requirements naming privileged account across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

CMMC 2.04 controls

Require staff holding privileged accounts to use a non privileged account or role when performing work that does not need elevated rights.

AC.L2-3.1.6 · Non-Privileged Account Use
FedRAMP High4 controls

Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) | Access to Accounts , separate Device. Implement multi-factor authentication for [Selection (one or more): local; network; remote] access to [Selection (one or more): privileged accounts;

IA-2(6) · Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) | Access to Accounts , separate Device. Implement multi-factor authentication for [Selection (one or more): local; network; remote] access to [Selection (one or more): privileged accounts; non-privileged accounts] such that:

Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) | Access to Accounts , separate Device. Implement multi-factor authentication for [Selection (one or more): local; network; remote] access to [Selection (one or more): privileged accounts;

IA-2(6) · Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) | Access to Accounts , separate Device. Implement multi-factor authentication for [Selection (one or more): local; network; remote] access to [Selection (one or more): privileged accounts; non-privileged accounts] such that:

Restrict privileged accounts to designated personnel; require non-privileged accounts for non-security functions.

03.01.06 · Least Privilege - Privileged Accounts

Privileged users must use separate accounts for administrative tasks and not for daily activities like email or browsing.

CPG-1.E · Separating User and Privileged Accounts
SWIFT CSCF2 controls

Tightly control administrator level operating system accounts on SWIFT components, with named ownership, strong authentication, and full activity logging.

CSCF-1.2 · Operating System Privileged Account Control

Questions people ask about privileged account

What is Privileged Account?
A user account with elevated permissions that provide administrative control over systems, databases, networks, or security configurations.
Why is Privileged Account important for compliance?
Privileged Account is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding privileged account 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 Privileged Account?
Privileged Account appears in the requirement text of CMMC 2.0, FedRAMP High, FedRAMP Moderate, NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3, CISA Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPG) 2.0. Across these standards we have identified 19 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Privileged Account?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how privileged account 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 Privileged Account 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.