Access control consists of confirming a person’s identity or credentials before granting them rights to access certain resources. This is a vital aspect of security, regardless of whether the assets are logical or physical.
A lot of access control systems come with photo identification for added security. These cards are read by the reader or displayed in front of it, which then sends an invitation to unlock the system to the control panel. The panel then examines the credential, determines if it’s authorized and grants or denies access to the door. The system also offers real-time traffic reports as well as other information for monitoring the flow of people within the facility.
Role-based access control (RBAC) provides some flexibility, however administrators can also supplement it with fine-grained controls that take the device’s location, type of device and other variables. These context-based controls are used within the IAM frameworks.
It is vital to periodically review and adapt access control policies to current roles and responsibility. This will prevent unnecessary risk and ensure that the principle of least privilege is observed. It is also important to review access logs regularly and spot suspicious activities.
Additional resilience can be built by adopting strong password policies, requiring multi-factor authentication and offering training on safe remote working and hygiene of passwords. Automating the provisioning and deprovisioning of users will make it easier to add and removal of access for users. This reduces human errors and reduces the risk of data breaches. Regularly reviewing and updating user profiles can help limit the effect of new hires and staff turnover.
