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FBI CJIS Security Policy Access Control Best Practices

| CENTRIS | State & Federal

Access control is a critical aspect of implementing the FBI CJIS Security Policy. The FBI CJIS Security Policy is essentially built on the NIST 800-53 framework, therefore, developing industry leading security policies on NIST 800-53 is essential for FBI CJIS compliance. Best practices for contractors, private entities, noncriminal justice agencies representatives, or members of a criminal justice entity to consider when establishing access control measures include the following:

  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Implement RBAC to ensure that users are granted access to CJIS data based on their job roles and responsibilities. Define specific access permissions for each role and regularly review and update access privileges as personnel change roles or responsibilities.
  • Strong Authentication: Use strong authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of users accessing CJIS data. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of security beyond just passwords. This may include something the user knows (password), something the user has (smart card or token), or something the user is/or has (biometric identifier).
  • Account Management: Establish robust account management practices to control user access. This includes timely provisioning and de-provisioning of user accounts, ensuring that accounts are only active for authorized individuals and disabling accounts promptly upon personnel changes or terminations.
  • Least Privilege Principle: Apply the principle of least privilege, granting users the minimum access privileges necessary to perform their job functions. Avoid granting excessive permissions or administrative privileges to minimize the risk of unauthorized access or accidental misuse.
  • Password Policies: Enforce strong password policies, including requirements for complex passwords that are regularly changed. Implement password length and complexity requirements, as well as password expiration and lockout policies.
  • Session Management: Implement session management controls to monitor and manage user sessions accessing CJIS data. This includes automatic session timeouts after a period of inactivity, requiring re-authentication to access sensitive information again.
  • User Activity Monitoring: Implement monitoring mechanisms to track and log user activities related to CJIS data access. Regularly review and analyze logs to detect and respond to any suspicious or unauthorized activities.
  • Separation of Duties: Implement a separation of duties principle to ensure that critical tasks related to CJIS data access are divided among different individuals. This helps prevent a single individual from having complete control over sensitive information and reduces the risk of abuse or unauthorized access.
  • Account Reviews and Audits: Regularly review user accounts and access privileges to ensure they are still valid and appropriate. Conduct periodic audits to validate that access control measures are effective and aligned with the CJIS Security Policy.
  • Employee Training and Awareness: Provide comprehensive training to employees on access control policies and procedures. Educate them on the importance of protecting CJIS data, adhering to access control measures, and reporting any suspicious activities.

Remember, access control measures should be regularly reviewed and updated based on changes in personnel, technology, or regulations to maintain the security and integrity of CJIS data.

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