Understanding Access Control Systems
What is Access Control?
Access control is a security technique that manages the users or targets who can view or use resources in a computing environment. This is a basic security concept that minimizes the risk to your business or organization.
The purpose of access control is to allow only authorized persons to enter the building or office. The deadbolt lock, along with the corresponding brass key, has long been the gold standard for access control. But modern businesses want more. Yes, they want to control who goes through the door, but they also want a way to monitor and control access. Keys now pass a baton to computer-based electronic access control systems, allowing authorized individuals quick and convenient access while denying unauthorized access.
Types of Access Control
- Mandatory access control (MAC): This is a security model that controls access from a central location based on multiple layers of security. Classifications are commonly used in government and military environments and are assigned to system resources and operating system (OS) or security kernels. Allows or denies access to these resource objects based on the information security clearance of the user or device. For example, Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux) is an implementation of MAC in the Linux operating system.
- Discretionary access control (DAC): This is an access control method in which the owner or administrator of a protected system, data, or resource sets a policy that defines the users or targets that are allowed access to the resource. Many of these systems allow administrators to limit the propagation of access rights. A common criticism of DAC systems is the lack of centralized control.
- Role-based access control (RBAC): This is a widely used access control mechanism that restricts access to computer resources based on individuals or groups with defined business functions. The role-based security model relies on a complex structure of role assignments and role permissions developed using role engineering to regulate employee access to the system. The RBAC system can be used to implement the MAC and DAC frameworks.
- Rule-based access control: This is a security model that defines rules for system administrators to control access to resource objects. Often, these rules are based on conditions such as time and place. It is not uncommon to apply access policies and procedures using some form of rule-based access control and RBAC.
- Attribute-based access control (ABAC): This is a way to manage access rights by evaluating a set of rules, policies, and relationships based on the attributes of users, systems, and environmental conditions.
Importance of Access Control
Apart from the obvious reason that your facility needs an additional layer of security, there are several other reasons why access control (especially cloud-based access control) needs to be an integral part of your business.
1. Physical Security
Let’s start with security, which is the most obvious advantage of access control. Installing an access control system can prevent unwanted people from entering the building, but it’s not the only thing. It also guarantees that other interactions, such as: B. Courier that delivers packages for visitors coming to your office or for your business.
2. Compliance
Compliance is an important reason for companies to switch to access control in recent years. Many security administrators can run into violation issues if they do not meet many certifications. Certified access control systems increase reliability, increase security, increase protection from malware and hackers, and ultimately increase revenue.
3. Operations and Visitor Management
Some access control systems are integrated with the directory to allow users to be automatically provisioned and deprovisioned. This means that the onboarding and offboarding processes are handled automatically from an access control perspective. This reduces administrator maintenance and manual tasks, and reduces the possibility of human error.
4. IP and Data Protection
Organizations dealing with privileged data and intellectual property, such as software developers, law firms, entrepreneurs, and pharmaceutical companies, need to control when and what areas they can access, not just those who enter the facility. Modern access systems not only enable fine-grained permissions based on group membership, but also provide insights and analysis that are often needed for both business and compliance reasons.
5. User Experience and Authentication
Rather than adding barriers to user access to the facility, modern systems use technology to provide a smoother access experience and greater administrator control for a higher level of security. 2FA requires all users not only to access the correct credentials (approved smartphone devices), but also to authenticate themselves (by unlocking the phone before unlocking the door).
Challenges of Access Control
Many of the access control challenges stem from the highly distributed nature of modern IT. Tracking constantly evolving assets is difficult due to their physical and logical decentralization.
Modern access control strategies must be dynamic. Traditional access control strategies are more static because most of your organization’s computing assets are held locally. Modern IT environments consist of many cloud-based hybrid deployments that distribute resources across physical locations and various unique devices. A single security fence that protects local assets is becoming less and less useful as assets are more distributed.
To ensure the security of your data, organizations need to verify the identity of individuals as the assets they use are more temporary and decentralized. The asset itself talks less about individual users than it used to.
If an employee’s device is hacked, the hacker may go unnoticed with sensitive company data. This is because the device is invisible to the company in various ways, but is connected to the company’s infrastructure. Hackers may be able to change passwords, view sensitive information, and sell employee credentials and consumer data on the dark web for use by other hackers.
One solution to this problem is to closely monitor and report who has access to the protected resource. This allows you to quickly identify changes and update access control lists (ACLs) and permissions to reflect your changes.
What to consider when choosing an Access Control System?
There are several factors to consider when comparing different providers. Below is a summary categorized into three categories: compatibility, features, and maintenance.
Compatibility: Compatibility is very important when choosing an access control system. Making sure that the system you are considering purchasing is compatible with your facility can save you a lot of time and money during the installation process. A highly compatible system facilitates system maintenance and ensures a high level of safety.
Features and Maintenance: Obviously, the deciding factor when choosing an office security system is features. However, it can be more difficult to understand which features to prioritize in order to find a solution that not only covers the basic needs but also saves time in the long run.
