Access control is a security measure that limits who can gain access to an organization’s systems and data. It’s also important in the modern workplace where many employees work remotely.The access control process consists of three key components: identification, authentication and authorization. This article will examine each of these and provide some best practices for businesses to implement access control.

Physical access control

Whether it’s a room full of sensitive equipment, a locked down server closet or the building itself, physical access control systems prevent unauthorized entry into spaces that contain secure, sensitive or privileged information. Depending on your security needs, you can use various authentication methods for your PACS, including key cards or fobs, mobile credentials, a password or PIN, biometric identification or license plate recognition.

Role-based and attribute-based physical access control are two common ways to manage permissions within a business. Role-based allows you to set up different roles for varying levels of access, while an attribute-based system monitors people in real time and grants access based on their attributes, like job title or a specific group they belong to.

Another important component of your physical access control strategy is a comprehensive security plan. Integrating your PACS with other systems, such as cameras, will give you a complete picture of your organisation’s security and help to keep your data and assets safe.

Electronic access control

In an EAC system, people present their credentials—such as a key card or a smartphone app—to a device called a reader. The reader’s sensor then reads the information stored on the credential and compares it to the security access permissions programmed into the management system. Once verified, the system grants or denies access and logs this transaction.

Contemporary EAC systems employ either individual, role-based, or department-level access permissions. Individual-level permissions work best for exceptional circumstances, such as granting temporary access to a junior staff member who needs to work on a high-security project.

Proximity access cards are the most common credential used in an EAC system, enabling your residents to open the door by holding the card within 2 to 4 inches of a proximity access reader installed at the entrance. These readers transmit their reading to the system’s computer, which then enables or denies access based on the programming you have in place. These types of access control systems eliminate the need to re-key locks and replace lost keys, as well as reduce labor costs associated with managing a physical security system.

The principle of least privilege

The principle of least privilege (also known as the Rule of Least Privilege) limits a human user account, process or system to the minimal level of access and permissions required to perform its intended functions. This is a fundamental security practice that helps to protect your organization from malware attacks.

By enforcing the principle of least privilege, your organization can improve productivity and mitigate damage from malicious activities. For example, a marketing manager doesn’t need write access to a company’s payroll data; however, granting them privilege bracketing for this activity could be a security breach.

Using identity and access management solutions that support the principle of least privilege is crucial. Using role-based access control (RBAC) to allocate specific roles based on job duties and ensuring that accounts are not overprivileged is an excellent way to implement this principle. Additionally, implementing a zero trust cybersecurity model that prevents unauthorized lateral movement can help to further limit an attacker’s attack surface.

End-to-end security

End-to-end security bolsters privacy and trust by safeguarding sensitive information. It obstructs the ability of internet service providers, app developers and cyber criminals to intercept and view messages or content. As a result, recipients can be confident that the content they receive is exactly as it was intended, unaltered and genuine.

This is particularly important for business owners who need to comply with industry-specific regulations such as HIPAA for healthcare or PCI DSS for businesses handling credit card information. In addition, the security of data and content must also be reinforced by robust authorization mechanisms.

Effective access control solutions balance the need for robust protection against threats with user convenience and flexibility. They do this by employing secure technologies such as biometrics, PIN codes or smart cards to verify identity and integrating with other security systems for situational awareness, response to incidents and tailgating prevention. To deliver these benefits, it is essential that these technologies have robust encryption and key management capabilities.