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Network access control requires a dedicated IT staff to monitor alerts and interpret data trends. For cohesive visibility, it must also be fully integrated into your unified endpoint management systems.
A network access control solution can help you implement the principle of least privilege (PoLP), ensuring users can access the minimum network resources necessary for their job. It will also remove unused permissions as employees leave the company.
Define Role-Based Access
Role-based access, one of the email security best practices, is a type of security model allowing administrators to assign specific permissions to users. This is useful because it limits the user’s access to data, protecting sensitive information.
You can restrict access to specific software, programs, or files using a role-based access control policy. This is great because it saves network resources and keeps employees focused.
The best way to implement a role-based access policy is to analyze your business functions and determine which users need the most access to your company’scompany’s resources. For example, a junior network engineer might need to crosscheck the configuration of devices but should have less full access like an administrator would.
Once you’ve determined the role each employee needs, create groups to match the job function of each group. This includes things such as billing, primary, and technical. Once you have completed these groups, add users to the appropriate role. If you need to grant temporary user access to certain programs or data, you can add them to multiple functions.
Create a Permissions Document
Network access control provides a layer of defense that blocks attacks at the gate, protecting data from unwelcome intruders. Whether it’s a BYOD setup, remote working, or a combination of managed and personal devices, a robust NAC setup contributes to preventive security measures and aiding post-incident response by providing valuable insights into an attacker’sattacker’s path.
Effective NAC policies must include detailed identification, authentication, and authorization requirements. These should be based on the principle of least privilege, granting users access to systems and data based on their job needs. In addition, the policy should address logical and physical controls and provide regular auditing, monitoring, and updating mechanisms to ensure that these controls are working effectively.
The first step in implementing an effective NAC policy is to create a list of all the accounts used within your organization. This includes both standard and privileged accounts, as well as specific groups or roles that use them. This inventory will help you map which assets require protection and what level of security is appropriate for each. You’llYou’ll also want to create a schedule for reviewing this information and revoking access for users who no longer need it.
Review Access Logs Regularly
With the rise of BYOD devices, IoT devices, and software-as-a-service applications, network access control has become a core component of an enterprise security architecture. It provides a layer of protection that can prevent attacks by requiring specific security measures on any device trying to access corporate systems, regardless of whether the device is managed or unmanaged.
To do its job well, network access control solutions must identify various factors and filter out illegitimate requests for access. This can include a combination of criteria such as the user’suser’s identity, geolocation, service type, time zones, and more.
Additionally, network access control should be able to provide a comprehensive management dashboard that makes connected devices visible to security managers at all times. This allows security administrators to enforce and adjust network access control policies without accessing individual devices. The dashboard should also be able to quarantine devices if they are infected with malware or running vulnerable software. This is essential for maintaining a solid security posture.
Create a Training Program
In addition to providing access control policy guidance, training programs help organizations establish best practices for the safe use of a network. This includes password management, which requires users to generate and use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess or crack. This, along with requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA), is one of the most significant and effective ways to protect networks from unauthorized compromises.
Another best practice is to ensure that systems administrators review access logs regularly. This helps ensure that no unauthorized users have been granted access and allows the identification of anomalies and suspicious activity. It also aids forensic investigations in the aftermath of a security incident.
A robust network access control solution fortifies business networks against security breaches by enforcing centralized policies across all devices, users, and applications. Zero trust network access solutions are increasingly necessary for business operations as workers shift to remote work and businesses rely more on cloud computing. In addition, these advanced solutions can detect and prevent unauthorized BYOD and IoT device connections to the corporate network.
Create Temporary Accounts
Many organizations require access to their network from partners, customers, vendors, contractors, and other non-employees. The best way to secure these devices is with an NAC solution that can create different inventory categories for each group, granting them access to specific resources or throttled internet-only access that prevents them from accessing internal servers or endpoints.
These accounts can also be set up temporarily, allowing users to gain more access rights for a shorter period. This practice supports the Principle of Least Privilege and limits damage if an account is compromised. For example, a contractor might need access to a production database for a short time to troubleshoot a problem. This type of access could be granted temporarily using an NAC solution that allows you to create temporary accounts.
It’sIt’s also essential to monitor these accounts regularly. Leaving a temporary report open quickly can result in security risks and potential data or money loss. This is why NAC solutions should include auditing, monitoring, and updating mechanisms.
