According to CIP-005 R1.3, what is required for access permissions?

The requirement outlined in CIP-005 R1.3 specifies that access must be denied by default unless specifically allowed. This approach follows a principle known as "least privilege," which is fundamental in cybersecurity practices. By denying access permissions by default, organizations ensure a tighter control over who has access to critical systems and information. This practice minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches since individuals must have explicit permission to access specific resources.

This requirement also promotes a disciplined access management strategy where permissions are only granted after a thorough review and justification, helping organizations maintain compliance with defensive security measures. It emphasizes the importance of proactive security rather than reactive adjustments after access has been wrongly authorized.

In contrast to denying access by default, granting all permissions automatically would undermine security by potentially exposing sensitive systems to all users, which is contrary to effective access control policies. Revoking access permissions is also necessary to maintain security and compliance, and requiring managerial approval for every access request may introduce inefficiencies and does not align with the quickest access provision practices intended by the standard.