How Poor Access Control Can Hurt Your Business

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Poor access control is responsible for many data breaches, but what exactly is access control and how does it relate to having access control protocols in your company? These are issues that can have a major impact on your IT network, and there are a lot of different sorts of access controls. We'll examine what access control is, how businesses use it as part of their IT procedures, and what it means for your company's cybersecurity.

What is it?

A vital part of keeping systems, networks, and data secure falls under the cybersecurity umbrella known as access control. In Layman's terms, access control refers to limiting who can see or utilize certain information.

This is important because if the wrong person were to get ahold of private company secrets or other sensitive data such as personal information, social security numbers, or financial information, they could easily exploit it for their own gain or cause serious harm through things like identity theft or holding any sensitive information for ransom.

Access control risks 

With more and more people using non-traditional devices to access work resources, it's critical for large and small businesses to prioritize network security and decide who or what should be allowed access.

"File and software access" usually refers to people you intentionally give permission to, but it can also refer to how difficult you, as the business owner, can make it for unauthorized individuals to gain access. In other words, not only who do you know who could theoretically get ahold of a document but also how hard would it be for someone without your permission to break past any authentication and authorization steps you set up?

Another security risk to take into account is the number of devices that can connect to your network. The greater the number of devices that need access to your network, the less secure it becomes. If possible, you should have one centralized location for everything and make no exceptions.

Common examples and their benefits

There are a variety of access control protocols that businesses can use, such as:

  • Firewalls

  • Access logs

  • Password protection

  • User permissions

Each of these standards has its own set of advantages and may be tailored to the company's unique requirements. Firewalls are essential for businesses since they protect against cyberattacks; access logs, on the other hand, might assist administrators in monitoring user behavior and detecting possible security threats. Password protection, for example, is a popular technique that limits access to data, but it can easily be avoided if the password is leaked. In contrast, user permissions are more limiting but also more time-consuming to use.

Important factors you should think about

There are many things to consider when choosing an access control systems for your business, but here are some of the most important factors:

1. The number of users who need access. 

If you have a lot of users who need access, be sure to choose a protocol that can handle it. Some protocols are very limited while others can accommodate more people.

2. The level of complexity required. 

Some protocols are more difficult to implement than others. Choose a protocol that is simple to use and set up.

3. The level of security needed 

Protocols vary in terms of their level of security. You must select a protocol that offers the degree of security you require.

4. The type of devices that will be accessing the system 

Not every protocol is usable with every device. Before you choose a protocol, confirm that the devices you want to use can connect to it.

5. The cost of implementation and maintenance 

When selecting a protocol for your business, be mindful of the costs of implementation and upkeep. Some methods are more costly than others.

By considering these factors, you can select the right type of access control protocol for your business needs and protect your systems and everyone's personal data from unauthorized access.

Best practices and process automation

Every company has different cybersecurity protocols in place in order to protect their information and systems from data leaks. Granting access to employees can be a time-consuming manual process, but there are ways to automate it.

Using a safe identity management system to automate the process of giving access is one approach. This technology can manage employee access credentials and keep track of which employees have access to which systems and data. Role-based access control (RBAC) also allows for automation of access control.

Automating grants of access to employees is one way to reduce the risk of cybersecurity breaches. By using a secure identity management system or RBAC, companies can ensure that employees only have access to what they need for their job function. This helps keep company data and systems secure by having fewer potential entry points for outsiders. For example, an employee in the accounting department should not have access to the company's email system since they wouldn't need it for their work.

It is essential to cancel an employee's access when they leave the company. This can be done either manually or by using an automated protocol, with the latter often being more reliable as it cuts out human error.

Last, but not least, every company should have stringent password rules in place to guarantee strong passwords and frequent password changes. Frequent password changes make it harder for people to steal each other's passwords across devices and software, making hacking much more difficult.

By following these best practices, businesses can help protect their data and systems from cybersecurity threats.

Overall, integrating access control techniques into your cybersecurity strategy is a crucial way to safeguard your company against cyber dangers. You may use authentication methods and other security measures to ensure that only authorized people have access to your network and data by using access control protocols. They may be customized to fit the demands of each company and may be used in conjunction with other security measures. This aids in the prevention of a cyberattack and helps to keep your business secure.

Contact Kotman Technology, if you need assistance selecting the best access control solutions for your company and any other IT concerns.


Kotman Technology has been delivering comprehensive technology solutions to clients in California and Michigan for nearly two decades. We pride ourselves on being the last technology partner you'll ever need. Contact us today to experience the Kotman Difference.

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