Day 4 – 12 Days of Cybersecurity
“On the Fourth Day of Cybersecurity, SST Sent to Me…” CIS Control 6: Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges
Securing Your Digital Fortress: The Value of CIS Control 6 – Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges
Administrative privileges are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they are essential for managing IT systems effectively. On the other, they present a prime target for cybercriminals looking to exploit elevated access to wreak havoc. CIS Control 6: Access Control Management is a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity strategies.
This control focuses on managing, monitoring, and restricting the use of administrative privileges to reduce the risk of breaches and unauthorized access. Let’s explore why implementing this control is critical and how it safeguards your organization.
What is CIS Control 6?
CIS Control 6 emphasizes the importance of limiting and strictly controlling administrative privileges across systems, networks, and applications. The goal is to ensure that access is granted only when necessary, closely monitored, and revoked promptly when no longer required.
This principle of least privilege minimizes the potential damage of a compromised account and limits access to critical resources.
Why is CIS Control 6 Essential?
- Prevents Privilege Escalation Attacks – Attackers often aim to escalate their privileges after breaching a standard user account. By controlling admin access, you limit their ability to cause widespread damage.
- Reduces Insider Threats – Malicious insiders or employees with excessive privileges can misuse their access. Restricting administrative privileges mitigates this risk.
- Limits the Spread of Malware – Malware that exploits admin-level privileges can spread rapidly across systems. A controlled privilege model restricts the pathways malware can take.
- Enhances Compliance – Many regulatory frameworks, including GDPR, PCI DSS, and NIST standards, require strict access control measures. Implementing CIS Control 6 simplifies compliance.
- Improves Audit and Incident Response – Monitoring administrative activities provides valuable insights during audits and investigations, helping organizations respond swiftly to potential threats.
Steps to Implement CIS Control 6
- Enforce Least Privilege – Ensure users have only the access they need to perform their roles. Regularly review and adjust permissions to reflect job responsibilities.
- Create Separate Accounts for Admin Tasks – Require administrators to use standard user accounts for day-to-day activities and separate privileged accounts for administrative tasks.
- Monitor and Audit Administrative Activities – Implement logging and monitoring tools to track the use of administrative privileges. Regularly review logs to identify and address suspicious behavior.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Require MFA for all accounts with administrative privileges to add an extra layer of security.
- Regularly Rotate and Secure Credentials – Update passwords for admin accounts frequently and store them securely, such as in a password management tool.
- Restrict Access to Sensitive Systems – Use network segmentation and access control policies to ensure admin accounts can only access the systems they are authorized to manage.
Real-World Benefits of CIS Control 6
Organizations that implement CIS Control 6 see tangible improvements in their security posture. For example:
- A manufacturing company reduced its attack surface by over 40% by enforcing the principle of least privilege and removing unnecessary admin accounts.
- A financial institution thwarted a phishing attack targeting administrative accounts by implementing MFA and monitoring admin activity.
These measures not only mitigated risks but also enhanced operational efficiency by reducing the complexity of managing access.
Conclusion
CIS Control 6 is critical in safeguarding your organization against insider threats, privilege escalation, and malware attacks. Restricting and monitoring administrative privileges protects your most sensitive systems and data while fostering a culture of accountability and security awareness.
Administrative access is powerful—and with great power comes great responsibility. Take control of your privileges today and strengthen your cybersecurity foundation.
Interested in learning how to implement CIS Control 6 effectively? Let’s collaborate to secure your organization!
