Why You Should Activate Access Control

Protecting your company’s data means asking the classic questions: Who, why, when, where, and how? Access control can answer them all, but only if properly implemented.

  If you’re wondering what access control is and if your workplace should use it, chances are you’re already doing so even if it’s just in the most basic way. Access control is a system of security steps which both authenticate and authorize someone to access data, but grants access only to the data they are permitted to see and utilize.

It’s a wise move to make with the average cost of a data breach at $3.92 million and rising. One of the simplest of all access controls is the password. It’s also the easiest for hackers to defeat, so proper password etiquette should always be practiced. Passwords must be strong, unique to each platform and regularly updated.

Let’s look more closely at the other forms of access control — broadly defined as physical and logical access — and why your company should consider them as part of its data security strategy.

Who is allowed to access your data?

  This is the first logical question. Data on your network should be classified by how sensitive and/or critical it would be if compromised. Knowing how to classify each is the first step in successful access control.

Sensitive information is generally defined as personally identifiable information on your staff or customers, such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, bank account numbers, and email addresses. On the business front, it can be proprietary information about your company. Critical data is that which is vital to the operation and success of your company. This ISO guide provides further insight into how to grade your data.

Avoiding the “one password equals universal access” mistake is the next control step because it helps enforce hierarchical access permissions. A good way to achieve this is to partition sensitive and non-sensitive data in your system. General information necessary for basic tasks can be in one partition with a set of assigned passwords, while more exploitable information exists in a separate partition under a second password control.

The more sensitive the data, the fewer employees should be able to access it. Key information requires key personnel, so at the very least assign these individuals their own passwords with two or three-step authentication control. Systems should also have a lockout function that activates after a set number of failed login attempts.  

Activating physical access controls

Even if your security budget is strained, simply closing the door to any room where data is accessed is an example of physical access control. This commonsense gesture is often forgotten, but it can prevent unwanted parties from seeing something they shouldn’t.

A standard lock may be enough if the room is empty, but the most prudent companies will fit a card swipe/code-based entry system, a hydraulic hinge to automatically close the door, and, if budget allows, biometrics. Biometrics use an individual’s manual, vocal, or optical data to verify their identity. It’s an access pass staff can never lose or forget, further boosting its standing as a powerful access control measure.

Companies must always be aware of people on site who are not employees. Visitors, staff from other companies, cleaning, and maintenance personnel — all may be permitted to wander freely around your premises. A seemingly harmless janitor could be accessing data while cleaning a room. An electrician may be stealing sensitive information.

Two further physical access controls to combat these threats are security cameras in data-sensitive rooms and automatic shutdowns on all terminals after a certain period of inactivity. This prevents your team from walking away and forgetfully leaving critical or sensitive information open to abuse. This will also help monitor and control your regular staff — a sad but necessary access control step since nearly 75 percent of all data breaches are inside jobs.

When access privilege doesn’t equal permission

  Certain staff may have access to your data yet still be denied beyond a certain point. The Principle of Least Privilege (POLP) — also known as permission precedence — ultimately dictates access control by ensuring each team member can access and influence only data that is role-appropriate.

As an example, imagine three parties that all have access to a data system. A marketing department has access to all customer records — which helps them better formulate marketing campaigns — but they’re denied deeper access to things like credit card information, nor can they modify, create, or delete data.

The accounting department can access customer records and credit card information but are likewise denied permission to modify, create, or delete records. At the top of the access control chain, we have database administrators who have full access with no denials.

As you can see, permissions and denials can often apply to the same individuals. If a staff member belongs to two same-hierarchy groups with conflicting permissions, permission denial usually takes precedence as a safety measure.

Let Unisol grant you access to greater control

  We hope our article helped you assess the risks of working without access control. Unisol International is a technology solutions provider dedicated to making security as simple and powerful as it can be. From mobile access control, network cameras, and biometrics to cybersecurity and cloud backup, our team can find the very best solutions to keep your business safe. Connect with us at the link below and take control of your data today.

Unisol International is a worldwide technology merchandiser and leading IT solutions provider to 16 industry sectors, offering a turn-key approach with a customized, integrated, total solution concept that combines product fulfillment and a-la-carte professional services. Get in touch with us for expert advice on technology which suits your needs.