While it has always been a concern for some businesses, we have begun to see a rise, in general, of businesses being much more aware of the concept of access and how it affects their security. Who you let onto your premises, physically or digitally, and how you monitor who has access to what, can have greater implications than you might think. Let’s explore how.
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Electronic Access Systems Offer Control
A lot of businesses are replacing their traditional locks and keys with electronic access systems. These are systems that operate door locks in conjunction with controls like keycards, mobile credentials, PIN codes, or even biometric scanners. Not only do they allow people in and out of specific areas, but they can also track who is given access and when. As such, in the event of a security incident, it’s a lot easier to narrow down potential suspects or those who might have left systems vulnerable by looking at who had access to them at that point.
Access Extends To The Whole Of The Business
Many businesses control who is able to enter and leave their building, but many of them will allow open parking on their premises. When perimeter gates are too unwieldy, especially for businesses that see frequent traffic, monitoring and information can offer intelligence, especially in the event of a security incident. This is in large part thanks to automatic license plate recognition, which uses cameras and sophisticated software to scan and verify vehicle license plates in real time. This makes it easier to grant or deny entry at gated systems, to monitor suspicious vehicles, or to identify potential criminals after an incident.
Role-based Access In The Digital Space
Having the right access controls is just as important a part of your cybersecurity strategy as well. Role-based access controls ensure that employees are only able to access the information and systems that are necessary for the specifics of their job. This can reduce the chance of intentional misuse, accidental data exposure, and limit the reach of attackers during a socially engineered cyberattack. Care must be taken to adjust or revoke privileges in your digital scope when employees leave or change positions, as well.
The Risk Of Tailgating And Unauthorized Entry
Training your team to be more familiar with the rules around access can improve the security of the business, as well. Aside from being mindful of their digital hygiene and not leaving workstations with privileged access open to use by others, making them aware of tailgating can be vital, as well. This is when unauthorized people follow employees through secure doors or access controls, and it is a common way that your employees can unintentionally end up helping criminals. Some businesses use anti-tailgating technologies like turnstiles and badge-triggered doors, but awareness can be just as powerful as the right tools.
Access control is becoming a greater focus for businesses when considering their security, and thankfully, there are a host of tools that they can use to secure their premises and better monitor the when, where, and who of security incidents. Which might best benefit your own company?
