User permissions and two-factor authentication are a key element of a solid security infrastructure. The ability to manage permissions for users is a key tool in reducing the likelihood that malicious or accidental insider activity will occur, minimising the effects of data breaches and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
1. Minimize the Risk of Insider Threats
The principle of least privilege is a popular method of limiting access to users. It states that users should be granted only the privileges they need to fulfill their job. This helps to limit the impact of any unauthorized activities that are performed by employees or other vendors.
2. Reduce the risk of a Data Breach
Many industries are subject to strict regulations that require strict data protection practices. By controlling user permissions companies can ensure compliance by ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive information.
3. Reduce the Risk of Third-Party Vendor Activity
Many data breaches are caused by compromised credentials held in the hands of third-party vendors. Regularly reviewing and updating the permissions granted to users can help reduce the risk that vendors from outside gain access without authorization.
4. Provide Flexibility for Privilege Escalation
Role-based Access Control (RBAC) has become an increasingly popular method of managing user access rights. It assigns specific rights based on roles that have been predefined. The roles can be nested to provide specific access control. For instance the senior physician could be granted more authority than a junior doctor in regards to accessing the patient’s data. RBAC can also be configured to require a two-factor authentication (2FA) even for specific roles, to minimize the risk of unauthorised entry even if a password is compromised.
