Access control is the process of safeguarding organizational information and networks against individuals who are not authorized to use them. It helps protect sensitive data and resources, meet regulatory requirements, and control insider-related threats. It requires strong access controlbarriers, and the right access management tools to be effective. Despite these impediments, best practices and the right approach can help ensure the success of access control initiatives and enable better security for the organization as a whole.

There are many different types of physical access control systems that can be used to secure a building or room. These can include door locks, card readers, biometric authentication, and more. When choosing a system, it’s important to select an installer that is certified by the manufacturer. This will help ensure that your system is installed correctly and the warranty remains valid.

A good access control solution will incorporate a combination of technologies to create a unified experience for tenants. For example, it should provide a mobile app that allows users to open doors or gates with just their phones. This will reduce the need to issue physical keys, fobs, or cards that can be lost or stolen. It will also provide a convenient alternative to entering the building with a key or PIN code, which is especially helpful for visitors and delivery drivers.

Authentication is the first step in access control, and it can be performed via one of three methods: something that the user knows, such as a password; something that the user has, such as an access card or biometric data; or something that the user is, such as their fingerprint. Access control also involves authorization, which is the mechanism for granting access permissions to a resource based on the authenticated identity and predefined access policies. It’s essential to implement the principle of least privilege and regularly audit and review access rights to make sure that they are aligned with the role and responsibilities of each employee.

Zero-Trust principles, multi-factor authentication (MFA), micro-segmentation, and granular access policies can strengthen access control by ensuring that only verified user credentials have network access. They can also help to prevent data leaks by allowing only the appropriate individuals to access sensitive resources, even if they are located off-site or in a remote location.

Role-based access control is a simple model that lets administrators define roles and assign permissions to them, making it easy to keep track of user access and make changes as needed. However, this approach can be inflexible, so it’s important to supplement RBAC with attribute-based access control. This dynamic access control model provides more granularity and flexibility, and can consider things like the location of the device, the time of day, the type of device, and the user’s attributes when determining access rights.

It’s also important to train employees on password hygiene, safe remote working, and access controls. This will help to prevent privileged “accidental” access and avoid situations where employees acquire more access privileges than they need, which can lead to unnecessary risks and waste valuable administrator time.