What is the purpose of the Separation of Duties principle in CMMC?

The Separation of Duties principle is fundamental in information security and compliance frameworks like the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The primary purpose of this principle is to assign conflicting functions to different individuals, which helps to mitigate risks associated with fraud and error.

By distributing responsibilities among multiple individuals, organizations can create checks and balances that prevent any single individual from having enough control to execute malicious actions or make significant errors without detection. For instance, the person responsible for approving financial transactions should not be the same person who processes those transactions. This division of labor enhances oversight and accountability, ensuring that no one has undue power or influence over critical processes.

In a security context, this practice is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of the system. It aligns with the principle of least privilege, which ensures that individuals have only the access necessary to perform their duties without compromising overall security.