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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.

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 guards network resources against use without authorization, admitting only authorized staff or devices to services, applications, information flows, stored information and network element...

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)) →
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 →
Kuwait National Cybersecurity Framework1 control

Kuwait NCF Protect function (Access). Access Control and Identity Management aligned with NIST SP 800-53 AC family + ISO 27001 A.9 + Zero Trust principles.

KNCF-Protect-Access-Control-IAM-Privileged-MFA-Zero-Trust-Identity-Lifecycle-IAG-PAM · Kuwait NCF Protect + Access Control + IAM + Privileged + MFA + Zero Trust + Identity Lifecycle →
MARS-E1 control

Implement NIST 800-53 AC Access Control family + IA Identification and Authentication family per MARS-E v2.0 catalog. NIST 800-63-3 Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) + Authenticator Assurance Level 2 (AAL2) + Federation Assurance Level 2 (FAL2) for Exchange co...

MARS-E-Access-Control-Identity-Authentication-NIST-800-63-Identity-Assurance-Levels-MFA-AC-IA-Families · MARS-E Access Control + Identity + Authentication + NIST 800-63 + MFA + AC + IA Families →
NIST SP 800-1231 control

Implement Section 5.1-5.2 authentication and access control including: strong authentication per NIST SP 800-63 (AAL2 minimum for sensitive systems + MFA where appropriate + risk-based authentication) + identity management + role-based access control (RBAC) pe...

NISTSP123-3 · Authentication, Access Control, and Account Management →

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 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) appears in the requirement text of ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1), Kuwait National Cybersecurity Framework, MARS-E. 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 1,016 frameworks.

See how Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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