One of the most important aspects of modern cybersecurity is managing access to IT systems and data. Indeed, organizations that lack robust access management are putting a lot on the line, from customer trust to business revenue.
This article explains access control management, explores its key components, and provides best practices for implementation.
An Introduction to Access Management
Access control management is the discipline of managing access to data, applications, systems, and other resources. It involves using processes, tools, and policies to selectively assign and revoke access rights and monitor the access activity of users, applications, and services, both within and outside the organization. The primary elements of access management are detailed below.
Access Permissions
At the heart of access management is a set of identities, such as users, computers, and applications, which are assigned various permissions to access resources. For example, a user might be given the right to read data in a particular database or run a specific program. Best practices require delegating access according to the principle of least privilege (PoLP), which states that users can use only the resources they need to perform their job duties. Organizations should regularly assess user permissions to ensure they are accurate.
Authentication
Authentication involves verifying that a user or system trying to access digital resources is who they say they are. For instance, you may need to provide your username and password to log into your online banking account.
For more robust security, many modern systems use multifactor authentication (MFA), which requires at least two of the following three different types of authentication:
- Something you know, such as a password
- Something you are, such as a fingerprint or other biometric data
- Something you have, such as a code from a hardware token
Authorization
Authorization is determining whether an authenticated user should be permitted to access specific resources they request based on the permissions they have been granted.
Management
IT ecosystems are constantly changing, with employees coming and going and applications being introduced and retired. You must update your access controls to reflect these and other changes. This may involve updating and maintaining the access control software, amending policies, onboarding new users, or changing a user’s privileges.
Auditing
Monitoring all attempts to access your IT resources is essential. The audit process is beneficial for several reasons, including:
- Detecting unusual activity that could be a sign of a threat
- Investigating incidents
- Revealing security vulnerabilities that should be addressed
Foundational Principles of Access Control
The Three Types of Access Control
Access management is crucial for securing any organization’s resources, and it relies on three primary types of access controls:
- Preventive controls aim to prevent improper access before it occurs. Examples include firewalls, encryption, and multifactor authentication.
- Detective controls focus on identifying and responding to suspicious activity in real-time or after it occurs. Examples include intrusion detection systems (IDSs) and audit logs.
- Corrective controls help mitigate damage and restore systems to normalcy after a security incident. Measures include restoring from backup and incident response plans.
The Importance of Access Control Management in Organizational Security
One of the most compelling reasons for adopting strong access control management is that it helps reduce the risk of security breaches. The average cost of a single data breach in the U.S. rose to $9.48 million in 2023, according to Statista. Moreover, a security breach can damage the organization’s reputation and devastate customer retention, especially if the breach affects their personal information. Research indicates that 33 percent of customers will stop doing business with an organization after it experiences a breach, even if they are not directly affected.
Another reason your organization should incorporate access control management is to maintain compliance with industry regulations. If your organization processes sensitive customer data, it may be subject to regulations such as GDPR, HIPPA, and PCI DSS. Violating these laws can lead to hefty fines and other penalties and may also damage your business’s reputation.
Strategic Implementation of Enterprise Access Management
Best Practices for Access Management
While it’s important to incorporate access control management into your organization as promptly as possible, you must ensure that the processes you put in place are effective. Key enterprise access management best practices you should consider include the following:
Multi-Layered Access Control
A multi-layered access control strategy ensures that even if a malicious actor breaches one layer of defense, they still face additional obstacles to reach the area or assets they are targeting. This “defense in depth” approach may include the following layers:
- Physical layer — To protect the physical infrastructure containing your organization’s systems and data, you can use security cameras in server rooms, biometric security systems, and physical locks.
- Network layer — Security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help protect your organization’s network from attackers.
- Application layer — To control access to individual applications or systems, you can incorporate session management and multifactor authentication measures.
- Data layer—To protect data, methods like encryption, tokenization, and masking can be used.
Separation of Duties
A single person having too much access and control over your sensitive data and other resources exposes your organization to the risk of data breaches and fraud. To minimize risk, consider implementing separation of duties (SoD), which breaks down a single task into several tasks so that no one person can complete it.
Privileged Access Management
Attackers often target admin accounts because of their power. Administrators are usually granted higher privileges than other users; for instance, they may be able to modify user accounts, change system settings, and access sensitive data. Accordingly, you should implement more security measures on administrative accounts, like MFA, activity monitoring, strict enforcement of the PoLP, and careful credential management.
Advanced Access Management Techniques
Traditional access control methods are being augmented and replaced by more adaptive techniques. Two key advancements are detailed below.
Dynamic Access Controls Based on Context and Risk Assessment
Dynamic access controls represent a significant shift from static, role-based access management to a more flexible, context-aware approach. These controls assess the context of each access request in real time, considering factors such as user behavior, location, time of access, and the sensitivity of the requested resource. Organizations can assign a risk score to each request by evaluating these variables and responding accordingly.
Integration of Biometric and Behavioral Data for Enhanced Security
Biometrics such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans provide a highly reliable means of verifying an individual’s identity. These methods are difficult to forge or replicate, making bypassing authentication controls more challenging.
Behavioral data adds another layer of security by analyzing patterns in user behavior, such as typing speed, mouse movements, and usage habits. This data helps create a unique behavioral profile for each user. If a user’s behavior deviates significantly from their established profile, the system can flag it as suspicious and prompt further verification steps.
Access Management Compliance and Auditing
Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements is critical to access management. Below are some key mandates and strategies for ensuring compliance.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations for Access Control
Access management systems must align with various legal and regulatory frameworks, which can vary by industry and region. Key regulations that impact access control include:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — This EU regulation requires organizations to implement robust access controls to protect personal data.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) — In the healthcare sector, HIPAA requires secure access controls to safeguard patient information and ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive health records.
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) — For publicly traded companies in the U.S., SOX mandates strict internal controls and auditing procedures, including detailed access control measures to protect financial data.
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) — This standard requires organizations handling credit card information to implement comprehensive access control measures to protect cardholder data.
Tools and Methodologies for Auditing Access Management Systems
Auditing access management systems is essential to ensure that controls are adequate and compliant with regulatory requirements. The following strategies can aid in this process.
Access Reviews
Regular reviews of user access rights help ensure that permissions are appropriate and align with job responsibilities.
Recommended solution: Netwrix Privilege Secure. Netwrix Privilege Secure provides comprehensive visibility into all accounts and activity, making it easy to identify unmanaged or unknown privileged accounts, discover blind spots, and eliminate account sprawl.
Automated Auditing
Security information and event management (SIEM) systems can automate the collection, analysis, and reporting of access-related data. These tools provide real-time insight into access patterns and can identify anomalies that may indicate security issues.
Recommended solution: Splunk. Splunk provides powerful analytics capabilities that help organizations detect, respond to, and mitigate security threats in real time. Key features include real-time monitoring, advanced threat detection, comprehensive reporting, and integration with various data sources.
Recommended solution: Netwrix Privilege Secure. Netwrix Privilege Secure continuously monitors user activities, generates detailed reports, detects anomalies, and provides tools for regular access reviews and risk assessments.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
RBAC helps organizations adhere to the principle of least privilege by assigning permissions to users via defined roles. It is useful for ensuring quick and accurate provisioning of new users and reprovisioning as users change roles and IT resources are adopted or retired.
Recommended solution: Netwrix Auditor. Netwrix Auditor reports on access-related changes and provides deep visibility into IT infrastructure configurations. Key features include detailed auditing of user activity, role analysis, and risk assessment. To implement zero-standing privileges to reduce the risk of malware and vulnerable security settings, use Netwrix Privilege Secure.
Compliance Management
These platforms integrate various compliance requirements and provide a centralized interface for managing and auditing access controls. They streamline the process of demonstrating compliance to auditors and regulators.
Recommended solution: ServiceNow Governance, Risk, and Compliance. This integrated risk management platform helps organizations streamline compliance and auditing processes. Policy management, risk assessment, continuous monitoring, and automated reporting are key features.
Future Trends in Access Control Technologies
Emerging Technologies and Predictions for the Evolution of Access Management Solutions
As we look towards the future of access management solutions, several key trends are expected to shape the landscape. Here are some of the best picks:
- Zero-trust security models. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security, zero-trust operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” requiring continuous authentication and authorization for every access request, regardless of the user’s location.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). AI is set to play a crucial role in the evolution of access management. AI and ML algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to detect unusual access patterns, predict potential security breaches, and automate responses to threats, thus improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of access management solutions.
- Biometric authentication methods. As mentioned earlier, biometric authentication, such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and voice recognition, provides a higher level of security than traditional passwords and can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Blockchain technology. By creating immutable records of access transactions, blockchain can enhance transparency and accountability in access management systems. This technology can also facilitate the implementation of decentralized identity solutions, providing a more secure and user-centric approach to identity management.
How Netwrix Can Help
Access control management is a foundational element of modern cybersecurity — but it is tricky to implement correctly because of the many components and best practices involved. Choosing integrated solutions from an experienced security partner can be a wise choice.
Netwrix offers a suite of identity and access management (IAM) solutions that can help. These solutions allow you to implement a Zero Trust security model to secure your data and achieve regulatory compliance while increasing employee and IT team productivity.
FAQ
What is the function of access management?
Access management aims to control who can access which resources and when and how that access can occur. Processes, policies, and technologies all facilitate this control.
What does an access management team do?
The responsibilities of the access management team include:
- Creating, provisioning, and removing user and computer accounts
- Creating access control policies and ensuring they are consistently applied across the organization
- Responding to user access issues
- Monitoring how users use their privileges and watching for suspicious activity
- Investigating and responding to incidents to contain the damage and restore services
- Educating users about access policies and best practices
What is access control management?
Access control management is implementing tools, processes, and policies to ensure that each entity can and does access only the appropriate data and systems.
What are the three types of access control?
Three of the most common types of access control are:
- Rule-based access control (RuBAC)
- Role-based access control (RBAC)
- Discretionary access control (DAC)
What is the difference between access management and access control?
Access control is enforcing policies that control who can use a system or other resource. Access management encompasses all the tools, policies, processes, and technologies used to achieve access control.
