Security & Compliance

  • 8 min read

Identity as the New Perimeter: Role of User Access Reviews

Team Zluri

21st September, 2023

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With the rise of cloud services, mobile devices, and remote work, the boundaries of security have shifted from physical perimeters to the realm of individual identities. As an IT manager, this paradigm shift brings forth a vital need for regular user access reviews, ensuring that access privileges remain aligned with business requirements and security measures.

In the past, IT managers primarily relied on fortifying their organization’s network perimeters using firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and VPNs. However, the landscape has changed dramatically. The rise of cloud-based services and the adoption of mobile devices have brought about a more flexible and dispersed work environment. 

Employees, contractors, and even partners now need to access company data and systems from various locations and devices, making the traditional network perimeter inadequate for protecting critical assets.

This shift has opened up new attack vectors, and cyber criminals are capitalizing on the vulnerabilities arising from remote access, unmanaged devices, and the use of personal accounts. Therefore, the focus has shifted towards securing and verifying user identities as they interact with company resources, regardless of their physical location or the network they are on. 

By adopting the "identity as the new perimeter" approach, you can leverage identity-centric security solutions that enable comprehensive visibility, authentication, and authorization at every access point. 

The Changing Nature of Perimeters: Embracing the Identity Perimeter

The identity perimeter is a cutting-edge security paradigm that emphasizes focusing on individuals' identities rather than solely relying on the physical boundaries of a network. Instead of assuming that everything inside the network is trustworthy, this approach emphasizes a more granular and dynamic control of access and permissions based on the user's identity, location, and other relevant contextual factors.

The identity perimeter provides your teams with more comprehensive protection by moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to network security. It allows them to secure not only the traditional on-premises infrastructure but also cloud resources, mobile devices, and remote workers without compromising on productivity and flexibility.

Recognizing the limitations of the traditional network perimeter, forward-thinking IT managers are embracing the identity perimeter as a more effective and adaptable security approach. At its core, the identity perimeter establishes robust identity verification and access management protocols for each user, regardless of location or device. The identity perimeters are:

• Multifactor authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA is a fundamental aspect of the identity perimeter. By requiring multiple forms of identification, such as a password, biometric scan, or hardware token, your teams can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that only the legitimate user gains access.

• Contextual access control: A key strength of the identity perimeter lies in its ability to factor in contextual information before granting access. You can enforce stricter access controls by considering factors like the user's location, time of access, and the device they are using. For instance, a user attempting to access sensitive data from an unusual location or an unrecognized device may be subjected to additional authentication steps.

• Identity and access management (IAM) solutions: Implementing robust IAM solutions is crucial to managing the complexities of the identity perimeter. These platforms centralize identity management, allowing administrators to consistently set up and enforce access policies. IAM solutions streamline user provisioning and deprovisioning processes, reducing the risk of unauthorized access due to outdated accounts.

• Continuous user monitoring: User behavior analytics play a vital role in maintaining the security of the identity perimeter. Your teams can continuously monitor user activities to detect suspicious behavior indicative of a potential security breach. Automated alerts and responses help security teams promptly address threats and mitigate risks.
  
  Regular user access review is an essential aspect of maintaining the security, and integrity of the identity perimeter. While the identity perimeter approach focuses on establishing robust identity verification and access management protocols, it is equally important to periodically review and validate the access rights granted to individual users. 

The Role of User Access Review in Strengthening the Identity Perimeter

User access reviews help ensure that users have the appropriate level of access to resources based on their job roles, responsibilities, and business needs. Here's how regular user access review fits into the context of the identity perimeter:

• Ensuring Least Privilege: The principle of least privilege dictates that users should only have access to the resources necessary to perform their specific job functions. Regular access reviews help identify and rectify cases where users may have accumulated unnecessary or excessive permissions over time, reducing the risk of insider threats and unauthorized access.

• Mitigating Insider Threats: Even trusted employees can pose security risks, either intentionally or unintentionally. Regular user access reviews can detect suspicious or unauthorized activities, such as employees accessing sensitive data they shouldn't or trying to escalate their privileges illicitly.

• Compliance and Auditing: Many industry regulations and data protection laws require you to perform regular access reviews. Conducting these reviews demonstrates compliance with the necessary security standards and helps identify potential gaps in security measures.

• Adapting to Changing Roles: Employee roles and responsibilities may evolve over time due to promotions, lateral movements, or changes in job duties. Regular access reviews ensure that users retain access to the resources relevant to their current roles and that any changes in access rights are documented and approved.

• Identifying Dormant Accounts: Employee turnover is a common occurrence in organizations. Regular access reviews help identify and deactivate accounts that are no longer needed, reducing the risk of these dormant accounts being exploited by malicious actors.

• Maintaining a Strong Security Posture: Regular access reviews contribute to an organization's overall security posture by continuously validating that the access granted aligns with security policies and business requirements.
  
  You can leverage identity and governance administration(IGA) solutions that provide automation and reporting capabilities to effectively carry out user access reviews. These tools can help streamline the access review process, making it easier to assess user permissions, track changes, and document the review results. Enter Zluri, a leading identity governance and administration (IGA) solutions provider.

Zluri's Key Role in Defining & Safeguarding the Identity Perimeter

Traditional access reviews used to be slow and manual, burdening admins with laborious tasks. Zluri, however, has revolutionized this landscape with its IGA solution.

By harnessing automation, Zluri has drastically accelerated access reviews. This innovative approach allows administrators to dedicate more time to essential tasks that drive business growth, rather than getting bogged down in manual processes.

What sets Zluri apart is its holistic approach. With a centralized platform, it consolidates all your organization's SaaS apps, providing a comprehensive view. This vantage point equips your IT teams with complete visibility, enabling efficient management of user access across your SaaS stack. Zluri doesn't just offer oversight; it's a powerful tool for managing user privileges in line with your evolving business needs.

Unified Access: A 360-Degree Insight into Digital Identities

Zluri's IGA solution introduces a paradigm shift by presenting a unified approach to access management, granting your teams an all-encompassing perspective on your organization's access terrain. This innovative system seamlessly amalgamates user access-related data from diverse sources onto a singular, user-friendly platform. 

You no longer need to face the hassle of managing multiple directories and handling scattered identity repositories. With Zluri, you now have easy access at your fingertips to gain a comprehensive understanding of access privileges and user interactions.

• Centralized Access Directory: Anchored at the core of Zluri's IGA lies its formidable capacity to capture and systematize user information from many sources, including active directories and assorted identity repositories. 
  
  This meticulous documentation ensures that every facet of user identity and their corresponding access rights are effortlessly available for scrutiny. The era of struggling with multiple directories and disconnected identity repositories is rendered obsolete.

• Empowering Access Privileges: Zluri's consolidated access strategy empowers administrators with unparalleled visibility, facilitating vigilant oversight over user access rights across the entire organizational spectrum. 
  
  This heightened vigilance enables administrators to promptly detect potential access incongruities or suspicious permissions, thus reinforcing the organization's barricades against cyber threats. This proactive approach supports the principle of least privilege, tactically minimizing the attack surface and mitigating security vulnerabilities.

• Real-Time Activity & Immediate Alerts: Zluri's IGA adopts a proactive stance by tracking user actions in real-time and triggering instantaneous alerts for any aberrant behaviors or unauthorized access endeavors. This watchful alert mechanism functions as an early-warning sentinel, allowing swift counteraction against possible security hazards. Your teams can promptly investigate and redress security incidents, safeguarding confidential data and fortifying defenses against potential breaches.
  
  By providing a coherent viewpoint of digital identities, access rights, and user interactions, Zluri ensures your proactive stance against security perils amidst today's swiftly evolving digital panorama. In a world where access to information is paramount, Zluri's IGA stands as a sentinel, facilitating streamlined operations without compromising on the fortifications that guard against unseen threats.

Automated Reviews: Unleashing the Power of Automation

Zluri's automated reviews offer unmatched power to strengthen your defenses and protect sensitive data with remarkable efficiency. But that's not all – Zluri also acts as a guardian, ensuring your organization complies with various regulations. Zluri's automated reviews provide a comprehensive set of tools to enhance access control, safeguard sensitive data, and precisely maintain regulatory compliance.

• Smart Access Rules: By establishing access rules, you can guarantee that users possess the necessary access rights tailored to their specific job roles. This practice effectively minimizes the chance of unauthorized access. The platform swiftly reviews and validates user access according to well-defined criteria, eliminating any uncertainties in the access management procedure. 
  
  This rigorous approach heightens security and ensures compliance, fortifying the shield around sensitive data and assets, and effectively shielding them from potential threats.

• Certification Scheduling: Zluri's system initiates reviews automatically regularly, ensuring access rights stay current with the organization's evolving security protocols. By simplifying the certification procedure, you establish a uniform and compliant atmosphere, thereby reducing the potential for data breaches or internal threats that might arise from outdated access permissions. 
  
  This proactive certification approach optimizes time and effort for IT teams, freeing them to concentrate on other pivotal security responsibilities.

• Automated Risk Mitigation: Zluri harnesses automated remediation measures to take a proactive stance against potential risks, bolstering the organization's security stance. By automating these remedial procedures, the platform empowers your IT team to rapidly address security threats, minimizing the vulnerability timeframe and averting potential security breaches. 
  
  This automation amplifies security measures, streamlines resource allocation, and expedites incident response, culminating in a resilient and forward-looking security strategy.
  
  By integrating these features, Zluri's IGA platform offers a comprehensive and proactive approach to identity and access management. This empowers your teams to enhance security measures, adhere to compliance standards, and safeguard critical assets against evolving cyber threats.

Wondering how to automate user access reviews? Zluri’s comprehensive ‘Access certification’ module has got you covered: 

• Step 1: To automate access reviews, access Zluri's main interface and navigate to the "Access certification" module. Within the module, select the option to create a ‘new certification.’

• Step 2: Assign a name to the certification and designate an owner who will oversee the automated access reviews.

• Step 3: Choose the preferred method of reviewing user access by exploring the options: Application, Users, and Groups.

• Step 4: Opt for the "Application" review method if desired and add the relevant application(s) to be audited for users' access. 

  

  

• Step 5: Select a primary reviewer and a fallback reviewer from the dropdown menu for the automated access reviews.

• Step 6: Select the users to be included in the automated access reviews process and apply data filtering to refine the user selection based on certification requirements.

  

  

• Step 7: Proceed to the next step and configure the actions to be performed during the automated access reviews, choosing from the provided dropdown list of actions.

Note: If there are multiple applications to be included in the same certification, repeat the process of adding applications as needed.

• Step 8: Specify the start and end dates for the automated access certification process, ensuring they align with recurring or scheduled certifications.

• Step 9: Save the configuration as a template for future use by clicking on the "Save Template" option.

• Step 10: Monitor the progress and updates of the automated access review process for the specific certification by regularly checking the "Review Stage" section.

Zluri's IGA solution is changing the game for user access reviews. It brings together a single access platform and automated reviews. This powerful combination boosts your organization's security, cuts the risk of data breaches, and makes managing user access easier. You'll see reviews happen 10 times faster and a 70% reduction in effort, letting you focus on growth and innovation.

Zluri's IGA solution is your best bet for stronger security in the digital world. It streamlines access setup, gives you total control, and provides insightful information. With Zluri, you're armed with proactive tools for user access reviews.

The question isn't "why?" but "when?" With Zluri, you can ensure compliance, reduce risks, and protect your organization's data. Why wait? Step up for better security and smoother access reviews. Book a demo with Zluri today!

About the author

Team Zluri

Team Zluri