AC-1—Policy and Procedures
>Control Description
Develop, document, and disseminate to ⚙organization-defined personnel or roles: (a) Addresses purpose, scope, roles, responsibilities, management commitment, coordination among organizational entities, and compliance; and (b) Is consistent with applicable laws, executive orders, directives, regulations, policies, standards, and guidelines; and
[Selection (one or more): Organization-level; Mission/business process-level; System-level] access control policy that:
Procedures to facilitate the implementation of the access control policy and the associated access controls;
Designate an ⚙organization-defined official to manage the development, documentation, and dissemination of the access control policy and procedures; and
Review and update the current access control:
Policy ⚙organization-defined frequency and following ⚙organization-defined events; and
Procedures ⚙organization-defined frequency and following ⚙organization-defined events.
>DoD Impact Level Requirements
FedRAMP Parameter Values
AC-1 (c) (1) [at least annually] AC-1 (c) (2) [at least annually] [significant changes]
>Discussion
Access control policy and procedures address the controls in the AC family that are implemented within systems and organizations. The risk management strategy is an important factor in establishing such policies and procedures. Policies and procedures contribute to security and privacy assurance.
Therefore, it is important that security and privacy programs collaborate on the development of access control policy and procedures. Security and privacy program policies and procedures at the organization level are preferable, in general, and may obviate the need for mission- or system-specific policies and procedures. The policy can be included as part of the general security and privacy policy or be represented by multiple policies reflecting the complex nature of organizations.
Procedures can be established for security and privacy programs, for mission or business processes, and for systems, if needed. Procedures describe how the policies or controls are implemented and can be directed at the individual or role that is the object of the procedure. Procedures can be documented in system security and privacy plans or in one or more separate documents.
Events that may precipitate an update to access control policy and procedures include assessment or audit findings, security incidents or breaches, or changes in laws, executive orders, directives, regulations, policies, standards, and guidelines. Simply restating controls does not constitute an organizational policy or procedure.
>Related Controls
>Assessment Interview Topics
Questions assessors commonly ask
Process & Governance:
- •What formal policies and procedures govern the implementation of AC-1 (Policy And Procedures)?
- •Who are the designated roles responsible for implementing, maintaining, and monitoring AC-1?
- •How frequently is the AC-1 policy reviewed and updated, and what triggers policy changes?
- •What training or awareness programs ensure personnel understand their responsibilities related to AC-1?
Technical Implementation:
- •Describe the specific technical mechanisms or controls used to enforce AC-1 requirements.
- •What automated tools, systems, or technologies are deployed to implement AC-1?
- •How is AC-1 integrated into your system architecture and overall security posture?
- •What configuration settings, parameters, or technical specifications enforce AC-1 requirements?
Evidence & Documentation:
- •What documentation demonstrates the complete implementation of AC-1?
- •What audit logs, records, reports, or monitoring data validate AC-1 compliance?
- •Can you provide evidence of periodic reviews, assessments, or testing of AC-1 effectiveness?
- •What artifacts would you present during a FedRAMP assessment to demonstrate AC-1 compliance?
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