Skip to content

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

What is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?

An access control method that assigns permissions to users based on their role within an organisation rather than their individual identity. RBAC simplifies access management by grouping permissions into roles aligned with job functions.

Information Security

Terms that appear alongside role-based access control (rbac)

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as role-based access control (rbac). The number is how many controls name both.

Frameworks that govern role-based access control (rbac)

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5View framework →

What the standards actually require on role-based access control (rbac)

Requirements naming role-based access control (rbac) across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

IEC 62351 - Power Systems Communication Security1 control

Access control of users and automated agents to data objects in power systems based on roles

62351-8 · Role-based access control (RBAC) →
ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications1 control

Security Dimension 1 Access Control per X.805 Clause 6.1: Access Control protects against unauthorized use of network resources. Access Control ensures that only authorized personnel or devices are allowed access to network elements + stored information + info...

X805-Dim1-Access-Control-RBAC-Authorization-Resources-Network-Elements-Services-Applications · ITU-T X.805 Security Dimension 1 - Access Control + Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) + Authorization + Resources + Network Elements + Services + Applications + Access Limitations + Authorized Personnel + Discretionary + Mandatory Access Control →
FDA 21 CFR Part 111 control

Section 11.10 access + control elements: (d) LIMITING SYSTEM ACCESS TO AUTHORISED INDIVIDUALS - role-based access control (RBAC) + least-privilege + provisioning + de-provisioning lifecycle + periodic access reviews + segregation of duties;

Part11.AccessAndAuth · Access control + authority + device checks (21 CFR §11.10(d) + (f) + (g) + (h)) →
IACS Unified Requirements E26/E27 - Cyber Resilience of Ships and On-Board Systems1 control

UR E26 Goal 2 (Protect) requires access control + authentication + authorization mechanisms for all CBS. Unique user identification (no shared accounts where feasible); strong password policy (per NIST SP 800-63B + IEC 62443 + ship operational reality);

IACS-UR-E26-Protect-AccessControl-Authentication-IAM-Roles · IACS UR E26 Protect Goal - Access Control + Identity + Authentication + Authorization + User Management →
IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1)1 control

NSS-17 + NSS-42-G require comprehensive access control aligned with CSL: unique user identification + no shared accounts where feasible (emergency shared accounts logged + reviewed);

IAEA-NSS17-AccessControl-OT-IT-Authentication-Authorization · IAEA NSS-17 - Access Control + Authentication + Authorization + IAM + Privileged Access for OT and IT →
Israel Protection of Privacy Law (5741-1981)1 control

The Privacy Protection (Data Security) Regulations 5777-2017 (Takhanot Hagannat Hapratiyot - Avtahat Meidah) supplement the 1981 Law with detailed technical and organisational security requirements + graduated by Security Level Classification (Basic/Medium/Hig...

IsraelPPL-DataSecurity-Regulations2017-ISO-CISO-Access-Logging-Backup-Physical-Removable-Annual-Audit · Israel POPL Data Security Regulations 5777-2017 + ISO Information Security Officer + Access Control + Logging + Backup + Physical Security + Removable Media + Risk Assessment + Penetration Testing + Annual Internal Audit + Amendment 13 Cyber Updates →

Questions people ask about role-based access control (rbac)

What is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?
An access control method that assigns permissions to users based on their role within an organisation rather than their individual identity. RBAC simplifies access management by grouping permissions into roles aligned with job functions.
Why is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) important for compliance?
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding role-based access control (rbac) 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 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) appears in the requirement text of IEC 62351 - Power Systems Communication Security, ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, IACS Unified Requirements E26/E27 - Cyber Resilience of Ships and On-Board Systems, IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1). 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 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how role-based access control (rbac) 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 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) applies across compliance frameworks

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

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