Access control is a security measure that determines who or what is permitted to access or utilize resources within a computing environment. It is a crucial aspect of security that helps to mitigate risks faced by businesses or organizations.
Access control can be categorized into two primary types: physical and logical. Physical access control restricts entry to buildings, campuses, rooms, and tangible IT assets. In contrast, logical access control governs access to computer networks, system files, and data.
To enhance facility security, organizations implement electronic access control systems that utilize keys, access card readers, personal identification number (PIN) pads, and auditing mechanisms to monitor employee access to restricted areas and proprietary locations, such as data centers. Some systems feature access control panels to manage entry to specific rooms and buildings, along with alarms and lockdown functions to deter unauthorized access or activities.
Logical access control systems are responsible for the authentication and authorization of users and entities. They assess the necessary login credentials, which may include passwords, PINs, biometric scans, security tokens, or other forms of authentication. Multifactor authentication (MFA), which necessitates two or more authentication factors, is frequently a vital component of a comprehensive access control strategy.
Access control is crucial for safeguarding against unauthorized access to both physical and digital systems. Its primary objective is to reduce the security risks associated with such access. Access control serves as a vital element of security compliance initiatives designed to protect sensitive information, including customer data. Most organizations implement infrastructure and procedures that restrict access to networks, computer systems, applications, files, and sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information (PII) and intellectual property. It is essential to defend against both unauthorized data exfiltration and alterations to sensitive information.
Access control systems can be intricate and may pose management challenges in dynamic IT environments that encompass both on-premises systems and cloud services. In response to significant security breaches, technology providers have transitioned from single sign-on systems to unified access management solutions, which deliver access controls for both on-premises and cloud environments.
The functioning of access control involves identifying individuals or entities, verifying their claimed identity, and authorizing the corresponding access level and actions associated with that identity. Directory services and protocols, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), facilitate access controls that authenticate and authorize users and entities, enabling them to connect to computer resources like distributed applications and web servers.
Organizations adopt various access control models based on their compliance obligations and the security levels of their IT systems that require protection.
Types of Access Control:
The primary models of access control include the following:
Mandatory Access Control (MAC). This security model governs access rights through a centralized authority that operates on multiple security levels. It is frequently employed in governmental and military contexts, where classifications are assigned to system resources and managed by the operating system or security kernel. Access to resource objects is granted or denied based on the information security clearance of the user or device. An example of MAC implementation is Security-Enhanced Linux, which operates on a Linux file system.
Discretionary Access Control (DAC). DAC is a method of access control where the owners or administrators of a protected object establish the policies that determine who or what is permitted to access the resource. Many DAC systems allow administrators to restrict the spread of access rights. A notable criticism of DAC systems is their lack of centralized control.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). RBAC is a prevalent access control framework that limits access to computer resources based on defined roles associated with individuals or groups, such as executive level and engineer level 1, rather than the identities of individual users. This role-based security model is built upon a sophisticated structure of role assignments, authorizations, and permissions, developed through role engineering to manage employee access to systems. RBAC systems can also be utilized to enforce both MAC and DAC frameworks.
Rule-based access control is a security framework wherein the system administrator establishes the rules that dictate access to resource objects. These rules are frequently contingent upon specific conditions, such as the time of day or the user’s location. It is common practice to employ a combination of rule-based access control and role-based access control (RBAC) to implement access policies and procedures effectively.
Attribute-based access control is a strategy that governs access rights by assessing a collection of rules, policies, and relationships, utilizing the attributes of users, systems, and environmental factors.
Implementing access control involves its integration into an organization’s IT infrastructure. This process may encompass identity management and access management systems, which provide software for access control, a user database, and management tools for the formulation, auditing, and enforcement of access control policies.
When a user is incorporated into an access management system, system administrators typically utilize an automated provisioning system to establish permissions in accordance with access control frameworks, job roles, and workflows.
The principle of least privilege is regarded as the best practice for assigning rights within an access control system, ensuring that an entity is granted access solely to the resources necessary for fulfilling its immediate job responsibilities.
