Over the years, the business industry has undergone various dramatic transformations. From operating within digital systems to remote working to the reliance on a wide range of technological tools, businesses now carry out operations on a whole new simplified and productivity-rising level. However, this shift comes at a cost – security.
Many businesses today use various systems to store and transfer sensitive and confidential data and information. However, it has been demonstrated that these systems are not as secure as we think because they are vulnerable to various factors that can cause data breaches.
According to a survey in Statista, most data breaches that occurred in Canada resulted from malicious actors. At the same time, in 2022, over 48% of data breaches occurred as a result of human error. This statistic shows the growing number of data breach cases on systems. Therefore, with so many offline and online factors cybercriminals are exploiting to carry out cybercrime, good cyber and network security postures must be implemented. This is where access management comes in.
Access management is a requisite for cybersecurity. It can be said to be one of the pillars that safeguard data against cybercriminals. Access management controls and monitors user access to sensitive, crucial data and resources. Canadian businesses can drastically reduce the risk of insider threats, data breaches, and other cybercrime activities by ensuring that only those authorized can access sensitive systems and information. This article will highlight seven significant reasons access management plays a vital role in maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture.
Access management is a vital aspect of cybersecurity. Its solution helps tighten and strengthen security access to cloud-based and on-site data, apps, and IT infrastructure. It is important to note that Identity and access management (IAM) and access management are closely related, but their scopes differ slightly.
Access management refers to controlling and monitoring user access to sensitive and confidential resources and data within an organization’s network. It is aimed at ensuring that only individuals who are authorized can get access to information and functionalities while preventing unauthorized users from gaining entry.
On the other hand, access management is a component of identity and access management. IAM encompasses a broader set of practices and technologies. IAM includes the management of user identities, authentication, and authorization processes across multiple systems and applications within an organization. It involves the administration of user identities, roles, and entitlements, as well as the provisioning and de-provisioning of user accounts.
Access management focuses on managing and securing individual user accounts, permissions, and privileges to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information. It employs various technologies and techniques to enhance the organization’s cybersecurity defense. These include:
With these access management techniques and technologies, organizations can effectively protect their data and mitigate the complications that make business networks and confidential data hard to protect against cybercriminals.
This is the first on the list for obvious reasons. The main aim of access management is to protect data from unauthorized access. With the robust access control mechanisms that come with access management, such as strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and more, organizations can ensure that only personnel who have been authorized can access critical systems and sensitive data. This significantly reduces the risk of data loss, breaches, and malicious activities.
Weak, easy-to-guess, or compromised passwords will always remain one of the most common points of access for cybercriminals or unauthorized individuals. Access management systems enhance a business’s cybersecurity posture by enforcing and ensuring all password requirements are met and that strong authentication methods are implemented.
Ever since the implementation of the bring-your-own-device and remote working system, the rate of cybercrime increased tremendously. This is because, in one way or the other, these systems are one of the weak links of any business operating these systems. Access management offers businesses with this type of operation secure access to resources and information to mitigate this.
This way, employees will be able to work remotely or use their own devices without compromising security. It also helps organizations better protect their network, as well as effectively monitor unauthorized accesses and potential data breaches or infections.
In order to effectively enhance the protection of systems and data, access management provides centralized control and monitoring capabilities. This centralization simplifies access control administration. Businesses will be able to track, control, and monitor access to resources, networks, and data, all from a single interface.
It also reduces the cost of controlling and monitoring multiple systems and apps and provides a better view and approach to user activities. Most importantly, it brings about rapid response to alerts of potential security or data breaches, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity defenses.
One of the worst things that could happen to a business is insider threat. Whether intentional or not, insider threats pose very serious risks to businesses. Controlling user access with access management systems helps eliminate the instance of insider threats, identity thefts, data loss, and more.
Access management is an apt way to reduce cyber fraud. Access management allows businesses to limit privileges to certain data and resources. This way, users will be able to only access the resources they need to carry out their duties. By limiting access privileges to all data and resources, suspicious activities or behaviors can be detected and addressed immediately.
Access management is essential to cybersecurity in terms of compliance regulations. Not complying with these requirements can result in loss of integration, trust, and financial fines.
There are many compliance regulations that are essential for businesses to follow to secure confidential data. Access management can help businesses strengthen their compliance posture as well as implement controls that can ensure data privacy, confidentiality, and integrity are observed.
If there is one thing businesses are known for, it is storing a large amount of sensitive data every day, from financial records to customer information. This amount of sensitive data is what makes businesses attractive to cybercriminals.
With access management, businesses will be able to restrict access as well as implement granular access controls to all business data. This ensures that only individuals who have been authorized or those who have legitimate reasons can access specific data.
This enhances the security of the business network and systems, minimizing the risks of insider threats, data leaks or breaches, and accidental exposure.
A robust access management system is vital to enhance your business’s cybersecurity posture. With the right strategies and tools, access management can help keep your data safe and secure.
Need an access management system tailored for your Sudbury, North Bay, and across northern Ontario business? Reach us online or contact us at (705) 222 8324.