And, for good reason: stolen credentials are still the #1 focus of threat actors. According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations report, credential theft is the most popular way for hackers to break into systems.
Understanding Access Management
What is access management and why is it important?
Phishing and credential thefts were the most expensive types of security incidents in 2023 -- to the tune of 4.76 million USD and 4.62 million USD respectively.
And, at 11 months, credential-based attacks also take the longest to resolve.
But what is the meaning of access management?
Access management is the streamlined method of managing user authentication across on-prem and cloud environments.
Broadly, access management includes:
- IAM (identity access management), a comprehensive framework that covers the entire lifecycle of user identities and their access rights
- PIM (privileged identity management), a subset of IAM that determines which users can access critical or privileged information
- PAM (privileged access management), a subset of IAM that determines how privileged users interact with privileged information
A major component of all three is secure password management.
While IAM focuses on password management for regular users, both PIM and PAM enforce robust policies for privileged users.
The role of access management in ensuring data security
What best describes the purpose of access management?
Access management provides a multi-layered defense against unauthorized access to corporate resources.
This is accomplished through access controls such as:
- Role-based access control (RBAC): Users are assigned pre-defined roles, simplifying the management of permissions and ensuring that users only access approved resources for their job functions.
- Attribute-based access control (ABAC): Access to resources is granted based on user roles, location, department, and clearance level.
- Policy-based access control (PBAC): This is considered an advanced form of RBAC, where roles are combined with policies for a more flexible, granular approach to access management.
- Cloud Infrastructure Entitlements Management (CIEM): This manages entitlements to your organization’s most sensitive data and mission critical assets in cloud environments.
Key principles for effective access management
We’re often asked, “How does access management improve security in an organization?”
Here’s our no-frills answer: Six access management principles improve security in an organization.
They are:
- Least Privilege access, which eliminates all unnecessary privileges and over-provisioning
- Zero Trust, an enterprise security framework that includes least privilege access, micro-segmentation, and continuous verification
- Just-in-Time Access, which supports the Zero Trust principle of least privilege
- Multi-Factor Authentication, which requires users to provide multiple forms of verification
- Automated password management, which includes secure password generation & storage, autofill, and password health monitoring
- Machine learning and AI-powered continuous monitoring, which identifies instances of unauthorized access and improper segregation of roles
Key Components of Access Management
Authentication methods and protocols
How does an access management system work?
In a nutshell, an access management system involves the process of authenticating and authorizing users.
Authentication is the process of verifying user identities before granting access to requested resources.
Key authentication protocols include:
- OAuth 2.0, which grants users the right to access applications with just one set of credentials
- OpenID Connect, an identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0 for robust identity verification
- Kerberos, which uses symmetric key cryptography and a ticketing system to authenticate users
- LDAPS, which enables secure authentication to directory services
Authorization and role-based access control
Authorization focuses on what authenticated users can do within an organization. As mentioned, role-based access control (RBAC) is a popular framework that enables secure authorization.
The Identity Defined Security Alliance (ISA) recommends combining RBAC with AI to leverage the latter’s ability to analyze large amounts of data. This can help in two critical ways:
- AI can use peer group analysis and behavioral data to suggest appropriate levels of access for users
- AI can provide context-aware recommendations based on the user’s existing access, historical behavior, attributes, and the risks associated with the requested access.
In addition, implementing granular authorization using protocols like Kerberos along with SHA3-256/SHA3 384 hashing and AES-256-bit encryption is critical for securing data transmission over SD-WAN, 5G wireless, and fiber-optic networks.
Single sign-on solutions and their benefits
Single-sign on (SSO) is a critical component of access management. Here are its key advantages:
- Reduced password fatigue: Employees need only remember one set of credentials, which decreases the use of weak passwords that compromise network security.
- Integration with FIDO2 MFA (multi-factor authentication) adds an extra layer of security: Combining SSO with FIDO2 MFA promotes a stronger security posture because it requires additional verification through FIDO2 hardware keys or FIDO2 biometrics. Learn more about FIDO2 here.
- Fewer support calls: As users have fewer passwords to juggle, they are less likely to inundate your IT staff with password reset requests.
- More productivity: Employees can switch between applications without repeated logins and work without frustrating interruptions.
- Simplified compliance: With one centralized platform for access management, businesses can more easily enforce security policies and ensure compliance with data protection laws.
- Improved auditing: Centralized logging of authentication events allows easier tracking and monitoring of security risks.
Benefits of Access Management
Enhanced user productivity and convenience
With SSO-based access management, users need only one set of credentials to access all the applications pertaining to their roles. This significantly enhances employee productivity.
However, there are two main barriers to SSO adoption for SMBs:
- A lack of technical knowledge to implement an SSO solution
- The associated administrative costs of implementation
It’s true that SSO is often available only as a premium enterprise-level service. Considering this, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends analyzing your organization’s needs (number of users, applications, and security requirements) to determine whether an affordable cloud-based option might be more to your advantage.
If you’re in the market for an SSO solution, look for one without extensive infrastructure requirements.
Reduced risk of unauthorized access and data breaches
Is access management part of cybersecurity?
The answer is yes.
Access management plays a critical role in a positive security culture. By enforcing strict access controls, the risks of unauthorized access and data breaches are significantly reduced.
The adoption of Zero Trust architecture, specifically, has been the key defining factor in protecting modern enterprises.
Today, implementing Zero Trust involves several key technologies and strategies such as micro-segmentation, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), privileged access management (PAM), Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW), and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR).
Streamlined user provisioning and deprovisioning processes
Automated workflows ensure that new employees receive necessary permissions quickly, while departing employees are promptly removed from systems.
This reduces the accumulation of orphaned accounts, a prime target of threat actors. This is because orphaned accounts can be used to gain lateral access across an entire system.
One way to gain a 360-degree view of access privileges and detect the presence of orphaned accounts is to implement a Next-Gen SIEM solution. Such a solution compares anomalies against telemetry data to cross-validate user behavior and actions.
Best Practices for Access Management
Role-based access control (RBAC)
What are the best practices for implementing an access management system?
A key access management strategy is RBAC.
Although there are several ways to implement RBAC, NIST’s four-step model still serves as the definitive guide for modern implementations. The NIST model involves:
- Flat RBAC: This is the core which defines all relationships in an RBAC framework. This is where users are assigned permissions based on their roles.
- Hierarchical RBAC: In this model, senior roles inherit the permissions of junior roles.
- Constrained RBAC: This is where multiple users are assigned responsibility and authority for a task or project. Constrained RBAC enforces the principle of separation of duties. For example, a bank employee that initiates a wire transfer can’t approve the same transaction. This prevents fraudulent conduct and theft.
- Symmetric RBAC: This supports permission role reviews.
Each step comes with cumulative functional capabilities. This means that each incorporates the access rights of the one before it.
Currently, two new RBAC models can be added to regular RBAC for more granular permissions: Relationship-Based Access Control (ReBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC).
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
According to the 2022 Cyber Readiness Institute MFA Global MFA survey, 54% of SMBs are aware of the benefits of MFA but still haven’t implemented it.
The most common reasons are funding challenges (35%), the resources needed for implementation (22%), and the lack of technical expertise to choose the right tools (13%).
In addition, 30% of SMBs don’t understand MFA, much less how to implement it.
If you’re looking to strengthen the authentication mechanisms in your business, follow our best practices for implementing MFA:
- As credential compromise campaigns continue to accelerate, secure credential management is a must-have for SMBs. Choose a password manager that provides FIDO2 MFA when you or your employees access password vaults, VPNs, single sign-on apps, workstations, legacy apps, and identity providers.
- Implement MFA for all users, especially privileged accounts.
- Combine MFA with Zero Trust principles as described above.
Access management for remote workers
In our digitally connected world, the above measures may not suffice to protect your business. Here’s why: Devices have now become one of the top threat vectors for attacks.
Thus, more fine-grained authentication and authorization mechanisms are needed to achieve foolproof device trust, such as risk-based authentication (RBA). This security approach evaluates risk factors such as type of device, device location, and login behavior patterns.
With RBA, suspicious login attempts will prompt additional verification steps to authenticate users.
Choosing the Right Access Management Solution
Factors to consider when evaluating access management tools
There are key questions to consider when evaluating access management tools, and they include:
- Do you have employees across state and national boundaries who need access to cloud applications?
- How effective is your MFA tool in protecting against a data breach?
- How quickly can you implement the MFA solution?
- What resources do you need to implement it?
- Does your MFA resource provide tangible ROI within a short period of time?
- Can your solution work within a hybrid infrastructure, incorporating modern and legacy systems?
Integration capabilities with existing systems
You’ll want to choose an access management solution that integrates well with your existing systems.
For example, Entra ID can integrate with your current IT infrastructure, whether it’s on-prem, cloud-based, or a hybrid setup.
It supports thousands of applications, which allows you to connect your workforce with the necessary apps from any location or device.
Other solutions include PingOne, Okta, OneLogin, and Google Workspace.
For even greater security, combine any of the above access management tools with a password manager that provides robust password generation and storage.
Scalability and flexibility for future growth
Your access management tool must have the capacity to accommodate growth.
Entra ID can handle millions of users and billions of authentications each day – so you'll have full support as your business scales.
The platform also offers advanced security features like conditional access, app integrations, MFA, SSO, identity protection, and PAM.
This flexibility lets you start with basic functionality and add more sophisticated security measures later.
Implementing Access Management with LastPass
Overview of LastPass access management solutions
LastPass is a leading -edge password manager that offers comprehensive access management.
At the heart of its platform is SSO (Single Sign-On), which allows users to access multiple cloud platforms with just one set of credentials. With LastPass, you’ll reduce password friction, the enemy of productivity.
With an extensive SSO app catalog, your employees can access all the apps they need in one place. And, if you can’t find an app in our catalog, you can set up your own custom service if the app supports SAML 2.0.
How LastPass simplifies access control and password management
LastPass streamlines access control and password management in several ways:
- Centralized admin dashboard: This provides a single point of control for managing users and implementing security policies.
- Granular access controls: With LastPass, you can set policies for devices, users, and groups to enable adaptive, precise access management.
- Automatic provisioning and deprovisioning: This simplifies employee onboarding and offboarding, so you can quickly provide and revoke permissions.
- Transparent oversight: LastPass reports provide insights that help you identify gaps in user access security.
- Enhanced authentication process: With LastPass, you get adaptive authentication, military-grade encryption, and time-based security controls.
Integration options and seamless user experience
Most importantly, LastPass can strengthen your arsenal of tools for a defense-in-depth strategy:
- User directories: LastPass can integrate with a range of user directories, such as Active Directory, Azure AD, Google Workspace, OneLogin, Okta, and PingOne.
- Multi-factor authentication: With LastPass, you can enjoy a layered MFA defense because it supports its own authenticator on top of your own MFA solutions.
- Identity providers: LastPass integrates with popular identity providers (IdPs) so you can enjoy automatic provisioning and policy controls.
- VPN and legacy applications: The LastPass IAM (identity access management) feature supports MFA for web and legacy apps hosted on VPN.
By unifying password management, SSO, and identity management into a single platform, LastPass simplifies the complex task of access management for you.
To see what LastPass can do for your business, take it for a test drive today by signing up for a free LastPass Business trial.
