Access control is to data security what a lock is to a door. Ever had to enter a password to access a server or network resource at work? That’s access control in action. It ensures only authorized users can access specific networks or applications.
Access control is made up of sets of instructions and policies that specify who can access your data, when they can do so, and up to which level. What are these policies, and how do you apply them? Let’s take a closer look.
Types of Access Control Policies
Access control policies protect data and systems by ensuring only authorized users can access sensitive information. Here are the main types:
Administrative Access Control
Administrative access control sets overall security policies for an organization. It combines both physical and technical controls. These policies detail who gets access to specific resources and under what conditions.
Physical Access Control
Physical access control limits entry to specific locations in the office. For example, a company might allow only IT staff into the server room but restrict others. These limits help protect sensitive equipment and data from unauthorized access.
Technical or Logical Access Control
Technical access control governs digital resources. It ensures only authorized users can access data and systems. Here’s a breakdown of different types within this category:
Mandatory Access Control (MAC):
Mandatory access control relies on security labels assigned to users and resources. Rules set by the owner are strict and non-negotiable. For example, only certain employees might access classified documents, with no exceptions allowed.
Discretionary Access Control (DAC):
Discretionary access control enables resource owners to decide who can access their resources. Owners can set permissions and manage access levels. A practical scenario of this policy might be a file owner granting read or write access to specific users in a shared folder.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
Role-based access control assigns access based on user roles within an organization. For example, managers may have access to higher-level data compared to regular staff. This method of access control is typically used to streamline permissions and maintain consistency across the organization.
Rule-Based Access Control (RuBAC):
Rule-based access control uses specific rules to manage access, setting conditions that users must meet to gain entry. For instance, a rule might allow access only during business hours or from specific IP addresses.
Policy-Based Access Control
Policy-based access control is a system where access permissions are determined by a set of policies rather than individual user roles. This method leverages rules and conditions to specify who can access particular resources under specific circumstances. A web-based access control system can efficiently implement policy-based control, ensuring dynamic and scalable management of user permissions.
Cloud-Based Access Control
Cloud-based access control systems offer a scalable and flexible solution for managing user permissions and security protocols. By leveraging cloud technology, organizations can ensure that access control policies are updated in real-time and can be managed remotely.
PDK Access Control
PDK access control systems provide robust security solutions that can be tailored to specific organizational needs. PDK door access systems offer seamless integration with existing security infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection for physical spaces.
PDK security solutions encompass a wide range of products designed to secure various aspects of an organization. These solutions include PDK door access, which controls entry points with high precision, and web-based access control systems that allow for remote management and monitoring of access points.
Other Types of Access Control
Here are a few other methods to consider:
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): Access control lists are set at the resource level to define who can access what. For instance, you can set an ACL to restrict access to certain files in a shared drive. This way, only specified users can view or modify those files.
- Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Attribute-based access control makes decisions based on user attributes like job title, department, or location. For example, a user from the finance department might get access to financial records, but only during working hours and from the office network.
- Identity-Based Access Control (IBAC): Identity-based access control focuses on the identity of the user. It verifies the user’s identity before granting access to resources. This might involve biometric scans or multi-factor authentication to ensure that the person accessing the data is who they claim to be.
Access Control Policies to Data
This discussion leads us to an important question: How and why do access control policies define data security in an organization? Limiting data access based on specific guidelines and standards reduces the chances of data loss, exposure, or misuse.
Relevant stakeholders like security, data governance, and data services teams should determine these policies. They should aim to make these policies as clear and deterministic as possible.
Access Control Standards
Access control standards depend on what an organization wants to achieve. But there are global and industry benchmarks that guide how to set up and enforce these policies. Here are some examples:
- ISO/IEC 27001: A universal standard for information security management systems
- HIPAA: Regulations for protecting healthcare information in the US
- NIST SP 800-53: US standards for securing federal information systems
- GDPR: European regulations for data protection and privacy
Conclusion
Access control policies help set the rules for who gets to see what data in an organization. They can determine access levels based on roles, rules, or specific policies. These policies are crucial for data security and governance.
