Separation of Duties
What is Separation of Duties?
A security principle that divides critical tasks among multiple individuals to prevent fraud, error, and misuse by ensuring no single person controls all aspects of a process.
Terms that appear alongside separation of duties
Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as separation of duties. The number is how many controls name both.
- least privilege 18 shared controls
- access control 16 shared controls
- authentication 11 shared controls
- nist 8 shared controls
- audit 7 shared controls
- remote access 7 shared controls
- privileged access management 6 shared controls
- access management 6 shared controls
Frameworks that govern separation of duties
What the standards actually require on separation of duties
Requirements naming separation of duties across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.
Split duties across separate identities so no single person can both perform and approve a sensitive action.
CCM-IAM-04 · Separation of Duties →Separation of duties is implemented in performing administrative activities for gateways.
ISM-0616 · Separation of duties is implemented in performing administrative activities for gateways. →Define and implement an enterprise segmentation and separation of duties strategy that segments access to assets using a combination of identity, network, application and subscription or account controls.
ASBv3-GS-2 · Define and implement enterprise segmentation/separation of duties strategy →Divide security relevant duties among different individuals so no single person can both carry out and conceal a harmful action without collusion.
AC.L2-3.1.4 · Separation of Duties →Identify and document duties requiring separation; define access authorizations to support.
AC-5 · Separation of Duties →Identify and document duties requiring separation; define access authorizations to support.
AC-5 · Separation of Duties →Questions people ask about separation of duties
What is Separation of Duties?
Why is Separation of Duties important for compliance?
Which compliance frameworks address Separation of Duties?
Where can I learn more about Separation of Duties?
See how Separation of Duties applies across compliance frameworks
Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.