Framework: The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Top 18 Controls

Safeguard 6.1 requires organizations to establish standardized, auditable processes for granting access to enterprise assets. Each new user, contractor, or service account must go through a formal authorization workflow that verifies identity, validates need, and documents approval. This process ensures that access is not granted informally or through personal discretion, which can lead to privilege creep and inconsistent policy enforcement. By using automated identity governance systems, enterprises can maintain consistency and transparency in how permissions are assigned. Access requests should always be reviewed by appropriate managers or data owners, ensuring alignment with role definitions and business objectives. Once access is approved, it should be provisioned automatically through directory or IAM systems to minimize administrative errors. Every decision within the authorization process must be recorded, creating a traceable audit trail that supports compliance and accountability.

Implementing this safeguard effectively involves combining procedural rigor with automation. Access control policies must define approval hierarchies, authorization limits, and documentation requirements. Automated workflows enforce these rules while generating reports for auditors and managers. Integrating IAM with HR and ticketing systems allows automatic triggering of provisioning or deprovisioning when personnel changes occur. Organizations should also establish review cycles to verify ongoing appropriateness of access, especially for high-privilege or sensitive roles. These reviews help identify unused entitlements or outdated permissions, enabling timely revocation. When supported by consistent documentation, the access authorization process becomes both a control mechanism and a transparency tool, demonstrating that privilege assignments follow predictable, policy-driven patterns. Safeguard 6.1 thereby replaces informal access decisions with an objective, accountable system that strengthens governance and mitigates the risk of unauthorized or excessive privileges across the enterprise.
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