Identity and Access Management

 IAM (Identity and Access Management)

A modern access control system is usually implemented through an Identity and Access Management (IAM) system, which consists of four critical processes: identification (creating a unique user account), authentication (proving a user's identity), authorization (defining what access a user has to resources), and accounting (tracking user activity and alerting on suspicious behavior); essentially ensuring the right people have access to the correct information at the right time while monitoring their actions for security purposes.

Explanation of each process:

Identification:

This initial step involves creating a unique identifier for a user, device, or process on a network, like a username or an account number, so that the system can recognize them.

Authentication:

This process verifies that the user is who they claim to be by checking credentials like passwords, security tokens, or biometric data when they attempt to access a resource.

Authorization:

Once authenticated, the system determines the user's level of access to specific resources based on their assigned permissions, which can be managed through different models, such as discretionary (owner-defined) or mandatory (system-enforced).

Accounting:

This final stage involves recording user activity, including what resources they accessed, when, and any potential anomalies, providing an audit trail for security purposes.

Key points to remember:

Multi-factor authentication:

Modern IAM systems often incorporate multiple authentication factors (like a password and a code sent to your phone) for enhanced security.

Centralized management:

IAM systems typically manage user identities and access rights from a single platform, simplifying administration.

Compliance requirements:

IAM systems are crucial in meeting data privacy and security regulations by controlling who can access sensitive information.