Principal Characteristics

• Authorized Access:

  Organizational users are granted access to systems and data through authentication processes like user IDs and passwords, and their permissions are managed using principles such as role-based access control (RBAC) and the principle of least privilege. 
• Scope of Users:

  This category includes a wide range of individuals:

  • Internal users: Employees of the organization. 
  • External users: Subcontractors, business partners, and even customers who may need to interface with the organization’s systems. 
• Varying Access Levels:

  • End-Users: These are individuals who use organizational resources and software to perform their job duties. 
  • Privileged Users: These users have elevated permissions to perform critical administrative tasks, such as managing servers, configuring software, or accessing sensitive financial or corporate data. 

Responsibilities in Cybersecurity

• Follow Policies:

  Organizational users are responsible for adhering to the organization’s security policies and best practices, such as using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA). 
• Security Awareness:

  They must be vigilant against social engineering tactics like phishing and be trained to recognize and report security incidents. 
• Reporting Incidents:

  Users are expected to report security problems or potential threats to management or designated security teams. 

Why They Are Important

• Human Factor:

  Human error is a leading cause of data breaches, making effective management of organizational users essential for a strong cybersecurity posture. 
• Target for Cybercriminals:

  Due to the access they possess, organizational users are a prime target for cybercriminals attempting to gain unauthorized access to an organization’s systems and data.