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04 – Privileged Access Management (PAM) Policy

04 – Privileged Access Management (PAM) Policy Prepared by: [Name ----------------] Organization: [company name] 1. Purpose This policy establishes strict controls for the management of privileged accounts, ensuring elevated access is granted only, when necessary, monitored continuously, and revoked promptly. It enforces compliance with CMMC AC. L2‑3.1.4 and AC. L2‑3.1.7 , while supporting secure, resilient, and compliant operations across cloud, hybrid, and on‑premises environments. 2. Scope This policy applies to: All privileged accounts (e.g., Administrators , Security Admins , Compliance Admins, System Owners). All systems processing or storing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) . All administrative workstations and remote privileged sessions conducted by authorized personnel. 3. Roles & Responsibilities Policy Owner: Oversees privileged access workflows, ensures audit readiness, and reports compliance status to leadership. IT Security Team: Configu...
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03 – Role‑Based Access Control (RBAC) & Least Privilege Policy

  03 – Role‑Based Access Control (RBAC) & Least Privilege Policy Prepared by: [Name ----------------] Organization: [company name] 1. Purpose This policy establishes a structured framework for assigning and managing access rights across organizational systems. It ensures that users, devices, and processes receive only the minimum privileges required to perform their duties. The policy enforces compliance with CMMC AC. L2‑3.1.5, AC. L2‑3.1.6, and AC. L2‑3.1.7 , while supporting secure, efficient, and compliant operations in cloud, on‑premises, and hybrid environments. 2. Scope This policy applies to: All organizational systems, applications, and data repositories. All users, including employees, contractors, and approved third‑party partners. Privileged and non‑privileged accounts managed through IAM platforms (e.g., Entra ID , Google IAM , AWS IAM , on‑prem AD ). 3. Roles & Responsibilities Policy Owner: Oversees RBAC framework , ensures audit readines...
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02 – Authorized User Identification & Provisioning Policy

  02 – Authorized User Identification & Provisioning Policy Prepared by: [Name ----------------] Organization: [company name] 1. Purpose This policy establishes the framework for identifying, approving, and provisioning users, devices, and processes that require access to organizational resources. It ensures compliance with CMMC AC. L1‑3.1.1, supports secure onboarding and role assignment, and mandates timely deprovisioning. It also requires that all accounts and devices be documented in the System Security Plan (SSP) and linked to supporting SOPs for audit readiness. 2. Scope This policy applies to: All employees, contractors, and authorized third parties requiring system access. All devices (Windows, macOS, Linux, laptops, mobile, servers) connecting to enterprise networks. All service accounts and automated processes requiring authorization. 3. Roles & Responsibilities Policy Owner: Oversees provisioning processes, ensures compliance, and reports status ...
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01 – Access Control Master Policy

  01 – Access Control Master Policy Prepared by: [Name ----------------] Organization: [company name] 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish a comprehensive framework for managing access to organizational systems, applications, and data. It ensures compliance with CMMC Level 2 Access Control (AC) requirements , NIST SP 800‑171 , and DFARS 252.204‑7012 , while protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and other sensitive assets. 2. Scope This policy applies to: All employees, contractors, and third parties accessing organizational systems. All devices ( Windows, macOS, Linux , mobile, portable media) connected to enterprise networks. All cloud services (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Cloud, AWS ) and hybrid/on‑premises environments integrated with identity and security platforms. 3. Applicability Systems processing, storing, or transmitting CUI. Administrative and privileged accounts. External systems connected to organizational networks....
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CMMC L 2 - Control AC. L2-3.1.10: Workstation Lockout [M365 environment]

Objective:  Prevent unauthorized access to unattended systems by enforcing automatic workstation lockout after a defined period of inactivity. Overview of the Control CMMC Level 2 requires organizations to implement technical safeguards that ensure unattended workstations automatically lock after a specified period of inactivity. This control maps to: NIST 800-171 Reference : 3.1.10[a], [b], [c] – Access Control 3.13.15 – System and Communications Protection Implementation Plan 🔹 Step 1: Define Organizational Policy Create or update your Workstation Configuration Policy to include: Lockout after 15 minutes of inactivity Applies to all endpoints handling CUI Enforcement via Microsoft Intune for both Windows and macOS Manual lockout behavior encouraged through user training 🔹 Step 2: Configure Windows Devices via Intune Tool : Microsoft Intune Settings Catalog Platform : Windows 10/11 and later         Configuration Steps: Sign ...
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How to Think Like an Attacker - Without Breaking the Law

Red Team for Blue Minds By Rana Jahandad Khan Most people think red teaming means hacking into systems. But for defenders like us especially those working for CMMC , ITAR red teaming starts with thinking like an attacker while staying 100% legal and ethical. I’m not a hacker. I’m a compliance architect and a systems builder. But I’ve learned that if you want to defend your organization, you need to understand how attackers think and how they exploit what we overlook. What Attackers Exploit (That We Can Fix) Unmanaged phones: with WhatsApp or Telegram - easy targets for social engineering Over-permissioned accounts :  attackers love stale admin rights No Conditional Access :  one stolen password = full access No audit trail :  if you can’t prove it, it didn’t happen No backup strategy:   ransomware ’s best friend How I Study Attackers (Legally) Google OSINT : filetype:pdf CMMC breach report MITRE ATT&CK Navigator : Map tactics to your environme...
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RMF vs CSF 2.0: Understanding Authorizing Officials, ATOs, and Tiered Cybersecurity Roles

  The Risk Management Framework ( RMF ), as defined in NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2 , provides a structured approach for managing security and privacy risks across federal information systems . A key distinction within this framework is the role of the Authorizing Official (AO), particularly in the context of issuing an Authority to Operate (ATO). This post clarifies the federal AO’s responsibilities and contrasts them with internal company roles, especially within CSF 2.0 tiered structures . Understanding RMF per NIST SP 800-37 Rev. 2 The RMF is a lifecycle-based methodology used by federal agencies and contractors to ensure that information systems are secure and compliant. It consists of seven core steps: Prepare – Establish context, assign roles, and define risk tolerance. Categorize – Classify the system based on impact levels (low, moderate, high). Select – Choose appropriate security controls from NIST SP 800-53. Implement – Deploy the selected controls within the s...
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