Introduction

In today’s world, security of digital assets is paramount for companies. Protecting data and systems from unauthorized access is a challenge that small and large corporations have to face.

An effective way to ensure the security of organizational assets is access control. Access control protects assets by allowing authorized personnel access while denying other individuals, based on predefined rules set by the organization. Additionally, if any user attempts to gain access to resources they are not allowed access to, it can be blocked or logged and then escalated as appropriate.

Access control plays a key role in ensuring complete safety and protection from malicious activity within an organization. In this article, we will cover the basics of access control – why it is needed, how it works, its benefits, what types are available and how organizations can implement an effective system for their environment.

Access control is a crucial aspect of information security, aimed at ensuring authorized access and preventing unauthorized access to information and other associated assets. The purpose of access control is to secure information and resources from unauthorized access, tampering, and other malicious activities. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of access control, guidelines for access control policy, and different approaches to implement access control.

What are the common mistakes organization to in implementing access control?

1. Not clearly defining and communicating roles, responsibilities, and access privileges.
2. Neglecting to periodically review and update access controls, leading to outdated or insufficient security measures.
3. Failing to implement proper user authentication and authorization processes.
4. Not properly securing and managing access to privileged accounts and sensitive data.
5. Neglecting to educate employees on the importance of good access control practices and how to comply with the organization’s policies.

How do you perform access control?

The owners of information and assets should determine the information security and business requirements related to access control. A topic-specific policy on access control should be defined, taking into account these requirements, and communicated to all relevant parties. The policy should consider the following factors:

• Determining the type of access required by different entities to the information and assets
• Security of applications
• Physical access controls, such as appropriate physical entry controls
• Information dissemination and authorization (e.g., the need-to-know principle) and information security levels and classification of information
• Restrictions on privileged access
• Segregation of duties
• Relevant legislation, regulations, and contractual obligations regarding access to data or services
• Segregation of access control functions (e.g., access request, authorization, administration)
• Formal authorization of access requests
• Management of access rights
• Logging

What are Access Control Rules?

Access control rules should be implemented by defining and mapping appropriate access rights and restrictions to the relevant entities. Roles can be assigned to entity groups to simplify access control management. The following factors should be taken into account when defining and implementing access control rules:

• Consistency between access rights and information classification
• Consistency between access rights and physical perimeter security needs and requirements
• Considering all types of connections in distributed environments to ensure entities have access only to authorized information and assets, including networks and services
• Reflecting dynamic access control elements

What are the Principles of Access Control?

The following are two of the most frequently used principles in access control:

• Need-to-know: an entity is only granted access to the information required to perform its tasks
• Need-to-use: an entity is only assigned access to information technology infrastructure where a clear need is present

Things to be considered before Specifying Access Control Rules:

When specifying access control rules, the following should be considered:

• Establishing rules based on the principle of least privilege (“everything is generally forbidden unless expressly permitted”) instead of the weaker rule (“everything is generally permitted unless expressly forbidden”)
• Changes in information labels, initiated automatically or by a user
• Changes in user permissions, initiated automatically by the information system or by an administrator
• Regular review of approval

What are the 4 types of access control?

Access control policies should be accompanied by established procedures and designated duties. There are a number of approaches to access control, including MAC (Mandatory Access Control), DAC (Discretionary Access Control), RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) and ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control). Access control policies can be implemented with various levels of detail, from entire networks and systems to individual data fields. The price of access control regulations depends on their level of detail and stringency. Defining the access control rules and granularity should take into account both business requirements and risk considerations.

What are Benefits of a good access control?

• Protects sensitive and confidential information and assets from unauthorized access and potential theft or damage.
• Enhances data privacy and regulatory compliance by controlling who has access to which information and resources.
• Minimizes the risk of data breaches, cyber attacks, and other security incidents.
• Supports compliance with relevant laws and regulations, such as the ISO 27001:2022, GDPR and HIPAA.
• Increases productivity by ensuring that authorized users have seamless access to the information and resources they need to do their job.
• Improves accountability and reduces the risk of internal fraud and misuse of company resources.
• Supports the development of a strong security culture and a commitment to security among employees.
• Helps organizations to better understand their security posture and identify potential vulnerabilities.

Example of an Access Control:

An example of access control is a security system that requires a password or biometric identification to enter a secure facility. The access control system checks the credentials of the user against a list of authorized users, and if the user is authorized, the system grants access to the facility. Other examples of access control include key cards, smart locks, and video surveillance systems that monitor and control access to restricted areas.

Summary

This article covers the basics of access control, its importance in information security, and its implementation. Access control ensures the protection of assets by granting access to authorized personnel only and denying access to unauthorized users. The article covers the guidance for defining access control policy, including considering factors such as security of applications, physical access controls, information dissemination and authorization, etc. The article also covers the implementation of access control rules, two overarching principles of access control (need-to-know and need-to-use), and considerations for specifying access control rules. The article concludes by discussing the importance of supporting access control rules with documented procedures and defined responsibilities, and the various ways to implement access control (MAC, DAC, RBAC, ABAC). Business requirements and risk considerations should be used to determine the granularity of access control rules.

Access control is a critical component of information security that ensures authorized access and prevents unauthorized access to information and other associated assets. By following the guidelines and principles discussed in this blog, organizations can implement effective access control policies and practices, protecting their information and assets from potential threats.

What are the access control reference across various security standards?

The access control reference numbers in the following information security standards are as follows:

1. ISO 27002:2022 – Access control is described in detail in Section 5.15 of ISO 27002:2022, which provides guidelines and general principles for initiating, implementing, maintaining, and improving information security management in an organization.
2. NIST SP 800-53 – Access control is one of the security controls specified in NIST SP 800-53, which provides guidelines for securing federal information systems and organizations. The access control reference number in NIST SP 800-53 is AC-1 to AC-25.
3. PCI DSS – The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires organizations to implement access control measures to protect sensitive cardholder data. The access control requirements in PCI DSS are described in Requirement 7 and include using unique user IDs and restricting access to sensitive data.
4. SOC 2 – Service organizations, such as data centers and software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers, use the SOC 2 report to demonstrate their commitment to security and privacy to their customers. The access control requirements in SOC 2 are described in Trust Principle 2. Access control, which includes a system’s ability to grant access to resources based on predefined rules, is one of the areas evaluated as part of the SOC 2 report.

How ERS can help you?

ERS Consultancy brings you a comprehensive solution for ISO 27001 compliance. Our certified professionals will help you establish an access control system that meets the highest standards in information security. From assessing potential risks to conducting security checks, we’ll ensure your organization is fully aligned with ISO 27001 and protected from cyber threats.

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