Why You Need Identity Management and Access Controls Now

In this blog post, we explore the critical importance of identity and access management in today’s cybersecurity landscape. We define access management, discuss the risks of inadequate controls, outline key benefits of a robust program, and provide guidance on implementing effective identity management and access control measures. We aim to educate readers on why identity and access management is crucial for protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance.

Identity and access management (IAM) attacks may be more common than you think. They often play the supporting case — serving as the first or second step in an attack that delivers the kind of payload that grabs headlines. This was the case with the recent hack on MGM Resorts. Attackers used an IAM hack to access their systems and deliver ransomware. The result: damages in excess of $100 million.

This is why identity management and access controls are such critical aspects of modern cybersecurity: They keep credentials safe, making it drastically more difficult for attackers to breach your defenses. Implementing access and identity management is crucial to preventing data breaches, external system manipulation, and insider threats.

What Is Identity and Access Management?

Identity and access management involves a series of processes, policies and technologies that regulate and monitor who has the right to access specific data or network assets. The key to a successful access and identity control management solution is to ensure only those authorized to view and manipulate specific areas of your network can access them.

This makes an IAM policy different than one that provides access to other parties “just in case” they may need it in the future. Even though a “just-in-case” strategy can make it easier to hand off tasks to those who aren’t usually authorized to perform them, it exposes your organization to unnecessary risks.

Some common tools for implementing an IAM system include:

• Identity and access management systems
• Multifactor authentication (MFA) solutions
• Role-based access controls (RBAC)

The Risks of Inadequate Access Control

If you don’t have a robust IAM program, you multiply the size of your attack surface — often regarding your most critical or sensitive assets. As a result, you may experience:

• Unauthorized access to sensitive data. This may include customer payment information, corporate bank details, and administrative privileges within your network and endpoints.
• Increased risk of insider threats. Some people in your organization may be willing to execute an attack, but they simply don’t have the necessary access. Without an IAM system in place, you may give these people free rein to launch attacks.
• Compliance violations and potential legal consequences. Compliance bodies, such as PCI, HIPAA, and GDPR, have access control measures in place. Falling short of these standards can result in fines or legal issues.

To illustrate the risk, an Australian telecommunications company, Optus, didn’t properly control access to its API. As a result, 9 million customers had their private information exposed. Even though the attack may have resulted from a coding error, secure code should be part of every organization’s ACM system. Australia’s Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) agrees and is using its regulatory authority to pursue damages against Optus.

Key Benefits of an Identity and Access Management Program

An IAM program should be a block in the foundation of your cybersecurity program for several reasons:

• Data protection. You can use access and identity management and access controls to prevent unauthorized individuals and systems from accessing sensitive information.
• Compliance. As mentioned above, many compliance bodies have strict access control measure requirements, so remaining compliant requires adhering to them.
• User accountability. An access control management system gives you data regarding who accesses which assets. This makes it easier to prevent insider attacks and establish a system for accountability regarding how people use their credentials.
• Improved security posture. An IAM program benefits your overall cybersecurity framework by closing up vulnerabilities based on the abuse of access privileges. For example, if only an IT manager has administrative privileges in your software development environment, you reduce the chances of a malicious employee installing a back door for a hacker in your web app.

How to Implement an Effective Identity and Access Management Program

Implementing a successful identity and access management program is relatively straightforward if you follow this series of steps:

1. Assess your current access policies. To perform an identity and access management risk assessment, you need to identify gaps and risk areas. For example, you may have regular employees who log into computers using administrative credentials. This elevates your risk.
2. Define user roles and access levels. Limit access according to job function and whether the individual absolutely needs to enter that area of your network. For instance, a salesperson may need access to your customer relationship management (CRM) solution, but your engineering team probably doesn’t.
3. Use technology. By using IAM systems, multifactor authentication (MFA), and encryption, you make it harder for hackers to access and read sensitive information.
4. Perform regular audits and updates. Regularly auditing your systems makes it easier to identify vulnerabilities and unnecessary access privileges. Maintaining accurate application inventories is also a critical component of an IAM program. This is especially important as your organization grows, incorporating more digital assets or hiring additional employees. Installing updates closes vulnerabilities the manufacturer has already released patches to address.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Identity Management and Access Control

Access control and identity management programs often face challenges, and it’s important to prepare for these ahead of time.

Resistance to change is common when implementing IAM initiatives, primarily because people who used to have access may have to relinquish it. In some cases, executives, managers, and others who may not present an immediate threat may resent being unable to access certain areas of your network.

An IAM initiative may also involve complex implementation procedures, which can delay or stall your rollout. This is especially true with large organizations employing IAM measures across multiple systems. For example, suppose your organization uses a hybrid cloud ecosystem. Your IT staff may feel comfortable implementing access control measures for your on-premise network. But they may feel less confident about doing the same for your cloud environment.

Cost concerns can be another roadblock, but these are often overblown, especially when you factor in the long-term financial benefits. In short, it’s all about opportunity costs. You “profit” each time you avoid a breach because you dodge the extensive costs that tend to snowball after an attack.

For instance, if you have cyber insurance, you may face a sharp spike in premiums, and the insurance company may require you to install expensive cybersecurity tools. As is the case with the Australian telco Optus, mentioned earlier, your organization may come under fire by a regulatory body, resulting in hefty fines.

There’s also the reputational damage that many companies struggle with in the wake of an attack. The cost of losing customers — or having prospects go to the competition — can result in long- and short-term fiscal damage.

In addition to outlining the financial benefits of enhanced access controls, you can also:

• Train IT personnel and others involved regarding how to implement your system.
• Segment your rollout into phases. This may involve refining your controls in the most crucial area first and then expanding the program over time.
• Use scalable technologies. By implementing scalable technology, you make it easier to extend your measures across more network elements in the future. For example, you can use a single multifactor authentication solution across multiple applications, adding more and more as time passes.

The Time to Secure Access Is Now

Since attackers constantly prowl for aways to penetrate a business’s systems, you want to eliminate unauthorized access as a vulnerability — as soon as possible. When a hacker gains access to a sensitive system or private data, they’re both a kid in a candy store and a bull in a China shop — devouring assets and inflicting violent financial damage. But an IAM system is a relatively quick, inexpensive way of cutting attackers off at the pass.

It’s important to review your current access control measures now in case you need to address some vulnerabilities. Then, you can proceed to establish a stronger, comprehensive system and start enjoying a safer digital environment.

Data breaches and ransomware attacks threaten financial stability and customer trust that could impact your organization for years to come. Our Cybersecurity experts can help you address your most pressing cybersecurity issues and keep compliance a continuous commitment at your organization. Let’s Talk