Allow external users to watch certain issues within a JIRA project

Question

I have a group of external users who need to be made watchers on certain issues, as the need arises, within a project. They should not have any other access beyond these issues. I have been given conflicting advice on how to do this. The first recommends that a a security scheme must be made and attached to the project. A JIRA group should then be made and the assignment of the group as watchers would be done by the admin on a case by case basis. The second recommendation is simply to make an external users group and add these to the manage watchers and voters section. The first idea is difficult to manage and the second is one and done. I don't really believe the 2nd idea is correct but it seems like a better option. Does anyone want to weigh in on this?

Jobin Kuruvilla [Adaptavist] · Accepted Answer

Sometimes things are simpler than you think. You don't even need any group to be added in the Manage Watchers section. As logn as you can see the issue ("Browse Projects" permission), you can watch it.

There, a third suggestion!