A solid security infrastructure is based on two-factor authentication and user permissions. The ability to manage permissions for users is an essential element in reducing the likelihood that malicious or accidental insider activities will occur, minimising the impact of data breaches and maintaining regulatory compliance.
1. Reduce the risk of insider Threats
One common method to limit access for users is to apply the principle of least privilege which states that users should be granted the minimum amount of privileges required for their job responsibilities. This helps minimize the potential impact of unauthorized activities that could be caused by employees or third-party vendors.
2. Minimize the Risk of a Data Breach
Many industries are subject to strict regulatory requirements that require strict data protection practices. By controlling permissions for users organizations can ensure compliance by ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data.
3. Reduce the Risk of Third-Party Vendor Activity
Many data breaches are caused by compromised credentials held by third-party vendors. Regularly reviewing and updating user permissions can help to minimize the risk of unauthorized access by external vendors.
4. Allow flexibility for Privilege Escalation
Role-based Access Control (RBAC) has become a popular way to manage the rights of users. It assigns specific rights depending on roles that have been identified. These roles can be nested to provide precise access control. For instance an experienced physician could enjoy higher access rights than a junior doctor in regards to accessing the patient’s information. Additionally, RBAC can be configured to require two-factor authentication (2FA) for certain roles in order to limit the risk of unauthorized access even in the event that the password is compromised.
