Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools and frameworks play an indispensable role in cybersecurity, enhancing protection, enforcing access control policies, and tracking user activity. At the heart of IAM are three important principles: access control, multifactor authentication, and centralized technology.
Here is a look at how each principle enhances IAM.
Access Control
Access control is one of the most fundamental principles of identity and access management. It serves as the gatekeeper of a business’s resources, making sure that sensitive data and systems can only be accessed by those authorized to do so. This reduces the chances of data breaches and other security incidents.
However, it is easy to overlook its utility in minimizing insider threats. After all, not all security threats come from outside the business. In some cases, employees may pose a risk, intentional or inadvertent.
Access control using the principle of least privilege can establish that users can only access the minimum information needed to perform their specific job functions, which can significantly cut down on the risk of insider threats.
Access control minimizes the number of entry points attackers can exploit by limiting the number of users who have access to essential systems. This means attackers may struggle to find a vulnerable entry point and may move on to systems belonging to less protected organizations.
Another reason access control is considered an important principle of IAM is the role it plays in complying with regulatory requirements. Many industries must follow stringent regulatory standards governing access to information.
From GDPR and HIPAA to SOC, IAM can help organizations enforce their access policies and audit user activities to remain compliant at all times.
In addition, IAM systems that incorporate access control measures can adapt to new security challenges as they arise, using the latest technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to detect and respond to unusual behavior in real-time.
Multifactor Authentication
Multifactor authentication is an effective defense mechanism against cybercriminals’ constantly changing threats. This authentication method is considered a main principle of IAM. It requires users to supply at least two verification factors before accessing a particular resource, whether it is an online account, an application, or a client or patient’s file.
The days when a username and password combination were enough to keep systems and files secure are long gone. It is easier than ever for cybercriminals to use tactics such as phishing attacks and malware to obtain this information and imitate authorized users.
Multifactor authentication serves to provide an additional layer of security by requiring further verification that is more difficult for hackers to obtain.
The basic premise is combining something that a user knows, such as a password, with something that they have access to, such as a mobile device or a security token, and something that relates to their individual identity, such as an iris scan or fingerprint.
This means that even if one of the factors is compromised, an unauthorized user will still be unable to obtain access unless they can provide the other factors as well. For example, a hacker might be able to steal an authorized user’s password.
However, without their biometric data, they will still be unable to enter the system. Because cyber criminals will need to employ many different methods to crack each of these factors, it is far more difficult for them to carry out an attack successfully.
Centralized Technology
Centralized technology plays a pivotal role in identity and access management, providing the ability to manage digital identities and access privileges from a single point of control. In addition to being more convenient, it dramatically enhances security by carefully controlling and monitoring access to an organization’s systems and resources.
This principle allows an organization’s security personnel to respond quickly to threats, preventing security breaches from damaging their reputation or compromising sensitive data.
By providing a comprehensive view of all of the users’ activities in an organization and their access rights, it is easier to detect and respond to any potential security threats swiftly.
It also allows security policies to be applied evenly across user accounts, which can simplify compliance with industry-specific regulations.
Compliance is further supported by a centralized system’s ability to generate detailed reports about user activities to prove compliance in an audit scenario. It also facilitates the granting and revocation of user permissions.
Centralized technology is also useful from a scalability standpoint, growing easily with an organization to accommodate new applications, services, and users without compromising security or performance.
Is Your Organization Protected Against the Newest Cyber Threats?
As data breaches and other cyber crimes become increasingly sophisticated, organizations must recognize the importance of strong cybersecurity measures.
Identity and access management frameworks that focus on the core principles of access control, multifactor authentication, and centralized technology can help safeguard your organization now and in the future.
Are you ready to provide your organization with unprecedented levels of protection? Reach out to the cybersecurity experts at Advantage Technology today to learn more about our identity and access management solutions.
