Name/Id: CMA_0480 / CMA_0480 Category: Operational Title: Review user accounts Ownership: Customer Description: Microsoft recommends that your organization use strong authentication mechanism. Azure AD supports strong authentication controls through multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong passwordless methods.
- Multi-factor authentication: Enable Azure AD MFA and follow Azure Security Center identity and access management recommendations for your MFA setup. MFA can be enforced on all users, select users, or at the per-user level based on sign-in conditions and risk factors.
- Passwordless authentication: Three passwordless authentication options are available: Windows Hello for Business, Microsoft Authenticator app, and on-premises authentication methods such as smart cards.
For administrator and privileged users, ensure the highest level of the strong authentication method is used, followed by rolling out the appropriate strong authentication policy to other users.
If legacy password-based authentication is still used for Azure AD authentication, please be aware that cloud-only accounts (user accounts created directly in Azure) have a default baseline password policy. And hybrid accounts (user accounts that come from on-premises Active Directory) follow the on-premises password policies. When using password-based authentication, Azure AD provides a password protection capability that prevents users from setting passwords that are easy to guess. Microsoft provides a global list of banned passwords that is updated based on telemetry, and customers can augment the list based on their needs (such as branding, cultural references, etc.). This password protection can be used for cloud-only and hybrid accounts.
Note: Authentication based on password credentials alone is susceptible to popular attack methods. For higher security, use strong authentication such as MFA and a strong password policy. For third-party applications and marketplace services that may have default passwords, you should change them during initial service setup.
How to enable MFA in Azure: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/authentication/howto-mfa-getstarted
Introduction to passwordless authentication options for Azure Active Directory: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-authentication-passwordless
Azure AD default password policy: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-sspr-policy#password-policies-that-only-apply-to-cloud-user-accounts
Eliminate bad passwords using Azure AD Password Protection: https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-password-ban-bad
Learn more:
https://docs.microsoft.com/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v2-identity-management#im-4-use-strong-authentication-controls-for-all-azure-active-directory-based-access
https://docs.microsoft.com/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-sspr-policy#password-policies-that-only-apply-to-cloud-user-accounts Requirements: The customer is responsible for implementing this recommendation.
Mode
All
Type
BuiltIn
Preview
False
Deprecated
False
Effect
Default Manual Allowed Manual, Disabled
RBAC role(s)
none
Rule aliases
none
Rule resource types
IF (1) Microsoft.Resources/subscriptions
Compliance
The following 22 compliance controls are associated with this Policy definition 'Review user accounts' (79f081c7-1634-01a1-708e-376197999289)
CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark recommendation 1.3
1 Identity and Access Management
Ensure guest users are reviewed on a monthly basis
Shared
The customer is responsible for implementing this recommendation.
Azure AD is extended to include Azure AD B2B collaboration, allowing you to invite people from outside your organization to be guest users in your cloud account and sign in with their own work, school, or social identities. Guest users allow you to share your company's applications and services with users from any other organization, while maintaining control over your own corporate data.
Work with external partners, large or small, even if they don't have Azure AD or an IT department. A simple invitation and redemption process lets partners use their own credentials to access your company's resources a a guest user.
CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark recommendation 1.3
1 Identity and Access Management
Ensure guest users are reviewed on a monthly basis
Shared
The customer is responsible for implementing this recommendation.
Azure AD is extended to include Azure AD B2B collaboration, allowing you to invite people from outside your organization to be guest users in your cloud account and sign in with their own work, school, or social identities. Guest users allow you to share your company's applications and services with users from any other organization, while maintaining control over your own corporate data.
Work with external partners, large or small, even if they don't have Azure AD or an IT department. A simple invitation and redemption process lets partners use their own credentials to access your company's resources a a guest user.
CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark recommendation 1.5
1
Ensure Guest Users Are Reviewed on a Regular Basis
Shared
Before removing guest users, determine their use and scope. Like removing any user, there may be unforeseen consequences to systems if it is deleted.
Azure AD is extended to include Azure AD B2B collaboration, allowing you to invite people from outside your organization to be guest users in your cloud account and sign in with their own work, school, or social identities. Guest users allow you to share your company's applications and services with users from any other organization, while maintaining control over your own corporate data.
Work with external partners, large or small, even if they don't have Azure AD or an IT department. A simple invitation and redemption process lets partners use their own credentials to access your company's resources as a guest user.
Guest users in every subscription should be review on a regular basis to ensure that inactive and unneeded accounts are removed.
Guest users in the Azure AD are generally required for collaboration purposes in Office 365, and may also be required for Azure functions in enterprises with multiple Azure tenants. Guest users are typically added outside your employee on-boarding/off-boarding process and could potentially be overlooked indefinitely, leading to a potential vulnerability. To prevent this, guest users should be reviewed on a regular basis. During this audit, guest users should also be determined to not have administrative privileges.
The organization:
a. Identifies and selects the following types of information system accounts to support organizational missions/business functions: [Assignment: organization-defined information system account types];
b. Assigns account managers for information system accounts;
c. Establishes conditions for group and role membership;
d. Specifies authorized users of the information system, group and role membership, and access authorizations (i.e., privileges) and other attributes (as required) for each account;
e. Requires approvals by [Assignment: organization-defined personnel or roles] for requests to create information system accounts;
f. Creates, enables, modifies, disables, and removes information system accounts in accordance with [Assignment: organization-defined procedures or conditions];
g. Monitors the use of, information system accounts;
h. Notifies account managers:
1. When accounts are no longer required;
2. When users are terminated or transferred; and
3. When individual information system usage or need-to-know changes;
i. Authorizes access to the information system based on:
1. A valid access authorization;
2. Intended system usage; and
3. Other attributes as required by the organization or associated missions/business functions;
j. Reviews accounts for compliance with account management requirements [Assignment: organization-defined frequency]; and
k. Establishes a process for reissuing shared/group account credentials (if deployed) when individuals are removed from the group.
Supplemental Guidance: Information system account types include individual, shared, group, system, guest/anonymous, emergency, developer/manufacturer/vendor, temporary, and service. Some of the account management requirements listed above can be implemented by organizational information systems. The identification of authorized users of the information system and the specification of access privileges reflects the requirements in other security controls in the security plan. Users requiring administrative privileges on information system accounts receive additional scrutiny by appropriate organizational personnel (e.g., system owner, mission/business owner, or chief information security officer) responsible for approving such accounts and privileged access. Organizations may choose to define access privileges or other attributes by account, by type of account, or a combination of both. Other attributes required for authorizing access include, for example, restrictions on time-of-day, day-of-week, and point-of-origin. In defining other account attributes, organizations consider system-related requirements (e.g., scheduled maintenance, system upgrades) and mission/business requirements, (e.g., time zone differences, customer requirements, remote access to support travel requirements). Failure to consider these factors could affect information system availability. Temporary and emergency accounts are accounts intended for short-term use. Organizations establish temporary accounts as a part of normal account activation procedures when there is a need for short-term accounts without the demand for immediacy in account activation. Organizations establish emergency accounts in response to crisis situations and with the need for rapid account activation. Therefore, emergency account activation may bypass normal account authorization processes. Emergency and temporary accounts are not to be confused with infrequently used accounts (e.g., local logon accounts used for special tasks defined by organizations or when network resources are unavailable). Such accounts remain available and are not subject to automatic disabling or removal dates. Conditions for disabling or deactivating accounts include, for example: (i) when shared/group, emergency, or temporary accounts are no longer required; or (ii) when individuals are transferred or terminated. Some types of information system accounts may require specialized training. Related controls: AC-3, AC-4, AC-5, AC-6, AC-10, AC-17, AC-19, AC-20, AU-9, IA-2, IA-4, IA-5, IA-8, CM-5, CM-6, CM-11, MA-3, MA-4, MA-5, PL-4, SC-13.
References: None.
The organization:
a. Identifies and selects the following types of information system accounts to support organizational missions/business functions: [Assignment: organization-defined information system account types];
b. Assigns account managers for information system accounts;
c. Establishes conditions for group and role membership;
d. Specifies authorized users of the information system, group and role membership, and access authorizations (i.e., privileges) and other attributes (as required) for each account;
e. Requires approvals by [Assignment: organization-defined personnel or roles] for requests to create information system accounts;
f. Creates, enables, modifies, disables, and removes information system accounts in accordance with [Assignment: organization-defined procedures or conditions];
g. Monitors the use of, information system accounts;
h. Notifies account managers:
1. When accounts are no longer required;
2. When users are terminated or transferred; and
3. When individual information system usage or need-to-know changes;
i. Authorizes access to the information system based on:
1. A valid access authorization;
2. Intended system usage; and
3. Other attributes as required by the organization or associated missions/business functions;
j. Reviews accounts for compliance with account management requirements [Assignment: organization-defined frequency]; and
k. Establishes a process for reissuing shared/group account credentials (if deployed) when individuals are removed from the group.
Supplemental Guidance: Information system account types include individual, shared, group, system, guest/anonymous, emergency, developer/manufacturer/vendor, temporary, and service. Some of the account management requirements listed above can be implemented by organizational information systems. The identification of authorized users of the information system and the specification of access privileges reflects the requirements in other security controls in the security plan. Users requiring administrative privileges on information system accounts receive additional scrutiny by appropriate organizational personnel (e.g., system owner, mission/business owner, or chief information security officer) responsible for approving such accounts and privileged access. Organizations may choose to define access privileges or other attributes by account, by type of account, or a combination of both. Other attributes required for authorizing access include, for example, restrictions on time-of-day, day-of-week, and point-of-origin. In defining other account attributes, organizations consider system-related requirements (e.g., scheduled maintenance, system upgrades) and mission/business requirements, (e.g., time zone differences, customer requirements, remote access to support travel requirements). Failure to consider these factors could affect information system availability. Temporary and emergency accounts are accounts intended for short-term use. Organizations establish temporary accounts as a part of normal account activation procedures when there is a need for short-term accounts without the demand for immediacy in account activation. Organizations establish emergency accounts in response to crisis situations and with the need for rapid account activation. Therefore, emergency account activation may bypass normal account authorization processes. Emergency and temporary accounts are not to be confused with infrequently used accounts (e.g., local logon accounts used for special tasks defined by organizations or when network resources are unavailable). Such accounts remain available and are not subject to automatic disabling or removal dates. Conditions for disabling or deactivating accounts include, for example: (i) when shared/group, emergency, or temporary accounts are no longer required; or (ii) when individuals are transferred or terminated. Some types of information system accounts may require specialized training. Related controls: AC-3, AC-4, AC-5, AC-6, AC-10, AC-17, AC-19, AC-20, AU-9, IA-2, IA-4, IA-5, IA-8, CM-5, CM-6, CM-11, MA-3, MA-4, MA-5, PL-4, SC-13.
References: None.
0644.10k3Organizational.4-10.k 10.05 Security In Development and Support Processes
Shared
n/a
The organization employs automated mechanisms to (i) centrally manage, apply, and verify configuration settings; (ii) respond to unauthorized changes to network and system security-related configuration settings; and, (iii) enforce access restrictions and auditing of the enforcement actions.
The access rights of all employees and external party users to information and information processing facilities shall be removed upon termination of their employment, contract or agreement, or adjusted upon change.
The organization:
a. Identifies and selects the following types of information system accounts to support organizational missions/business functions: [Assignment: organization-defined information system account types];
b. Assigns account managers for information system accounts;
c. Establishes conditions for group and role membership;
d. Specifies authorized users of the information system, group and role membership, and access authorizations (i.e., privileges) and other attributes (as required) for each account;
e. Requires approvals by [Assignment: organization-defined personnel or roles] for requests to create information system accounts;
f. Creates, enables, modifies, disables, and removes information system accounts in accordance with [Assignment: organization-defined procedures or conditions];
g. Monitors the use of, information system accounts;
h. Notifies account managers:
1. When accounts are no longer required;
2. When users are terminated or transferred; and
3. When individual information system usage or need-to-know changes;
i. Authorizes access to the information system based on:
1. A valid access authorization;
2. Intended system usage; and
3. Other attributes as required by the organization or associated missions/business functions;
j. Reviews accounts for compliance with account management requirements [Assignment: organization-defined frequency]; and
k. Establishes a process for reissuing shared/group account credentials (if deployed) when individuals are removed from the group.
Supplemental Guidance: Information system account types include individual, shared, group, system, guest/anonymous, emergency, developer/manufacturer/vendor, temporary, and service. Some of the account management requirements listed above can be implemented by organizational information systems. The identification of authorized users of the information system and the specification of access privileges reflects the requirements in other security controls in the security plan. Users requiring administrative privileges on information system accounts receive additional scrutiny by appropriate organizational personnel (e.g., system owner, mission/business owner, or chief information security officer) responsible for approving such accounts and privileged access. Organizations may choose to define access privileges or other attributes by account, by type of account, or a combination of both. Other attributes required for authorizing access include, for example, restrictions on time-of-day, day-of-week, and point-of-origin. In defining other account attributes, organizations consider system-related requirements (e.g., scheduled maintenance, system upgrades) and mission/business requirements, (e.g., time zone differences, customer requirements, remote access to support travel requirements). Failure to consider these factors could affect information system availability. Temporary and emergency accounts are accounts intended for short-term use. Organizations establish temporary accounts as a part of normal account activation procedures when there is a need for short-term accounts without the demand for immediacy in account activation. Organizations establish emergency accounts in response to crisis situations and with the need for rapid account activation. Therefore, emergency account activation may bypass normal account authorization processes. Emergency and temporary accounts are not to be confused with infrequently used accounts (e.g., local logon accounts used for special tasks defined by organizations or when network resources are unavailable). Such accounts remain available and are not subject to automatic disabling or removal dates. Conditions for disabling or deactivating accounts include, for example: (i) when shared/group, emergency, or temporary accounts are no longer required; or (ii) when individuals are transferred or terminated. Some types of information system accounts may require specialized training. Related controls: AC-3, AC-4, AC-5, AC-6, AC-10, AC-17, AC-19, AC-20, AU-9, IA-2, IA-4, IA-5, IA-8, CM-5, CM-6, CM-11, MA-3, MA-4, MA-5, PL-4, SC-13.
References: None.
a. Define and document the types of accounts allowed and specifically prohibited for use within the system;
b. Assign account managers;
c. Require [Assignment: organization-defined prerequisites and criteria] for group and role membership;
d. Specify:
1. Authorized users of the system;
2. Group and role membership; and
3. Access authorizations (i.e., privileges) and [Assignment: organization-defined attributes (as required)] for each account;
e. Require approvals by [Assignment: organization-defined personnel or roles] for requests to create accounts;
f. Create, enable, modify, disable, and remove accounts in accordance with [Assignment: organization-defined policy, procedures, prerequisites, and criteria];
g. Monitor the use of accounts;
h. Notify account managers and [Assignment: organization-defined personnel or roles] within:
1. [Assignment: organization-defined time period] when accounts are no longer required;
2. [Assignment: organization-defined time period] when users are terminated or transferred; and
3. [Assignment: organization-defined time period] when system usage or need-to-know changes for an individual;
i. Authorize access to the system based on:
1. A valid access authorization;
2. Intended system usage; and
3. [Assignment: organization-defined attributes (as required)];
j. Review accounts for compliance with account management requirements [Assignment: organization-defined frequency];
k. Establish and implement a process for changing shared or group account authenticators (if deployed) when individuals are removed from the group; and
l. Align account management processes with personnel termination and transfer processes.
Requirement 07: Restrict Access to System Components and Cardholder Data by Business Need to Know
Access to system components and data is appropriately defined and assigned
Shared
n/a
All user accounts and related access privileges, including third-party/vendor accounts, are reviewed as follows:
• At least once every six months.
• To ensure user accounts and access remain appropriate based on job function.
• Any inappropriate access is addressed.
• Management acknowledges that access remains appropriate.
The customer is responsible for implementing this recommendation.
Controls Access Credentials to Protected Assets — Information asset access credentials are created based on an authorization from the system's asset owner or authorized custodian.
• Removes Access to Protected Assets When Appropriate — Processes are in place to
remove credential access when an individual no longer requires such access.
• Reviews Appropriateness of Access Credentials — The appropriateness of access
credentials is reviewed on a periodic basis for unnecessary and inappropriate indIviduals with credentials.
The customer is responsible for implementing this recommendation.
• Creates or Modifies Access to Protected Information Assets — Processes are in
place to create or modify access to protected information assets based on authorization from the asset’s owner.
• Removes Access to Protected Information Assets — Processes are in place to remove access to protected information assets when an individual no longer requires
access.
• Uses Role-Based Access Controls — Role-based access control is utilized to support segregation of incompatible functions.
• Reviews Access Roles and Rules — The appropriateness of access roles and access
rules is reviewed on a periodic basis for unnecessary and inappropriate individuals
with access and access rules are modified as appropriate