Your business probably handles sensitive information that needs to be secured from unauthorised access. If access is not controlled, it could lead to a catastrophic destruction of these precious assets. Access control is a notion that is intended to act as a gatekeeper and define the parameters for handling sensitive materials. However, as organizations evolve and change, the previous procedures for handling data may no longer be appropriate or acceptable. This can lead to sensitive data being accidentally made available to unauthorised users inside or outside the company.
Inadequate control can lead to the loss of data belonging to a primary party, such as employees and customers’ information. A breach of this kind could expose your organization to costly penalties from regulatory authorities and lawsuits, as well as fines. It could also affect your customers’ and clients’ trust.
The management of access is an technical and organizational process that requires both an organizational and technical. To secure access to confidential information, a balance between policies, processes, and technologies is required. These are necessary to ensure that your organization adheres to industry standards and regulations that ensure business agility and ensures that customers and clients confidence.
It is important to, for instance ensure that your physical security procedures are effective. This includes requiring employees to store documents, thumb drives, and backups of personal data in locked cabinets, and to notify the security team of visitors to your premises. It is also essential to establish a “need-to-know” for access to all. This includes requiring employees to use passwords, two-factor authentication and to check their privilege lists regularly.