IAM (Identity and Access Management)
A modern access control system is usually implemented
through an Identity and Access Management (IAM) system, which consists of four
critical processes: identification (creating a unique user account), authentication
(proving a user's identity), authorization (defining what access a user has to
resources), and accounting (tracking user activity and alerting on suspicious
behavior); essentially ensuring the right people have access to the correct
information at the right time while monitoring their actions for security
purposes.
Explanation of each process:
Identification:
This initial step involves creating a unique identifier
for a user, device, or process on a network, like a username or an account number, so that the system can recognize them.
Authentication:
This process verifies that the user is who they claim to
be by checking credentials like passwords, security tokens, or biometric data
when they attempt to access a resource.
Authorization:
Once authenticated, the system determines the user's level of access to specific resources based on their assigned permissions,
which can be managed through different models, such as discretionary
(owner-defined) or mandatory (system-enforced).
Accounting:
This final stage involves recording user activity,
including what resources they accessed, when, and any
potential anomalies, providing an audit trail for security purposes.
Key points to remember:
Multi-factor
authentication:
Modern IAM systems often incorporate multiple
authentication factors (like a password and a code sent to your phone) for
enhanced security.
Centralized management:
IAM systems typically manage user identities and access
rights from a single platform, simplifying administration.
Compliance requirements:
IAM systems are crucial in meeting data privacy
and security regulations by controlling who can access sensitive information.