What is emphasized regarding access permissions in CIP-005 R1.3?

The emphasis in CIP-005 R1.3 is on the principle of least privilege, which dictates that access to systems should be granted based on specific, justified requirements rather than blanket permissions. This means that when determining access permissions, organizations must carefully evaluate the reason for granting access and ensure that any access not explicitly needed for a job function is denied by default. This approach minimizes the risk of unnecessary exposure to sensitive systems and reduces the overall attack surface.

Incorporating reasoned access permissions supports better security practices by ensuring that users only have the capabilities essential for their roles, preventing unauthorized access, and facilitating more effective monitoring of user activities. By denying access by default and requiring justification for access requests, organizations can help maintain a more secure environment, which aligns with the overarching goals of the NERC CIP standards.