RBAC, or role-based access control, allows access to systems by role as opposed to per-user. It’s a secure way to allow user permissions without overloading your IT department.
Every organization that uses digital resources requires employees to have the right credentials to get in. The system may have varying levels of access based on the department the individual works in. For example, those working in management may need user management software to get their tasks done. Regardless of the needs, RBAC makes things easier without jeopardizing system security.
RBAC helps ease administrative costs and worker duties for organizations. What company doesn't want simpler security administration? No matter the organization, every industry has benefitted from an RBAC system.
Essentially, RBAC allows every user access to specific applications, data, and functions they need to do their jobs. Restrictions are placed, but not to the extent that work gets hindered.
Keep in mind that every company has a unique organizational structure. With that, a basic hierarchy exists and roles are defined by it.
For example, entry-level retail employees may be placed in groups. They’ll have equal access to basic company apps and personal information. They won’t have the permissions needed to access colleagues' files or sensitive company data. However, management members will require access to employee records and more. An effective RBAC helps set clear boundaries of allowable functions.
Role-based access control systems follow a basic model set by the RBAC standard. The three types of access controls included in the standard are core, hierarchical, and constrained.
The first access control is the core part of the model. This part includes three main parts:
Administrators
Roles
Permissions
An e-commerce company has workers with role assignments in customer service. They need specific authorization for programs needed to access customer's accounts. The permissions this role has are only exercised within the outlined duties. These customer service representatives will not have permission to access colleagues' files. The company will allow this access to sensitive data for management and CEO-level professionals.
Overlapping role assignments occur when multiple permissions are granted to workers tasked with more than one role. For example, take an entry-level employee who is on a probationary period for a supervisor position. They would need access to scheduling programs during that period. The time frame for overlapping role permissions can be adjusted when workers transition between roles.
These overlapping role assignments can include company-wide permissions. New employees and management, for example, will have different access controls. But, they all need access to monthly newsletters, emails, updates, and notifications.
The second access control is hierarchical RBAC which involves structured roles. This role hierarchy can be complex and is a type of organizational structure that allows certain permissions between roles.
For example, let’s analyze a simple role hierarchy: entry-level, supervisor, assistant manager, and general manager.
The third access control, constrained RBAC involves the separation of group and individual duties. The two main categories for control tasks are Static Separation of Duty - SSD, and Dynamic Separation of Duty - DSD.
For SSD, users don’t have permissions for mutually exclusive roles. For instance, a supervisor cannot create a schedule and then approve it. They can't approve it, but the department manager can.
A DSD user is someone who has multiple roles. Although that means they require access to conflicting functions, constraints help prevent internal security breaches. In many cases, the user will have to take action for specific tasks one role at a time. They aren’t granted authorizations carte blanche either.
Organizations of all sizes keep records. Sensitive documents, files, applications, and more that can't risk exposure. A protected system is crucial for any company. Role-based access control has been around for years, but it wasn’t until 2004 that NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, agreed to the RBAC standard.
Ensuring that identity information remains insulated from leaks and cyber attacks is one factor to consider. Security issues only increase if there’s easy access to company, employee, and client information. Preventative measures for data protection in all digital spaces should be taken. As advancing technologies continue to progress, data protection is more important now than ever.
A system set up with RBAC helps lower the chances of exposure and security risks. With role-based access control, only allow permissions to those that need it. Place restrictions where necessary. For example, an entry-level professional doesn’t have equal responsibilities as the immediate supervisor. Access controls and restrictions would be allowed based on those differences. The immediate supervisor may require less limited access.
Take that a step further and consider the manager’s responsibilities. They often need permissions for multiple areas, such as payroll, scheduling, and employee records. Less restrictions would be set for them.
Sign up for Nblocks to help manage access. Authentication and authorization software that helps fine-tune user functions will have a positive impact on overall productivity.
Like many organization management systems, the initial setup can be time-consuming. While an RBAC is great for businesses of any size, the higher the worker count, the more complex the system might become.
When it comes to controlling data access, an RBAC system is effective. However, RBAC might be too complex for controlling access to low-level data. If the low-level data doesn’t require multi-faceted authentication and authorization software, then it’s not necessary to integrate this system.
Still, no matter the company size, RBAC offers benefits that can’t be overlooked. It’s a useful system for small or mid-size companies that plan on expanding personnel.
The top three benefits of RBAC are improved security, streamlined systems, and lower company costs.
Streamlined systems make completing duties, assigning roles, and transitioning user functions a smoother process. For instance, an HR associate will have an easier time administering onboarding tasks. The new employee will have an equally stress-free time completing what’s assigned.
RBAC systems lowers the risk of security issues. By restricting permissions based on roles, any cyber attack on a specific section is isolated. For example, a new employee opens a bad link that causes computer glitches. Due to their restricted access, the glitch remains isolated to that workstation and doesn’t spread company-wide.
RBAC helps improve security across the board, decreases mistakes, and lowers administrative duties. That saves time and money. What company wouldn’t be interested in those factors?
As businesses get established, it’s recommended they keep up with advancing technologies, including taking steps to further their cyber and data protection. With role-based access controls, security at every level is insulated. A breach in one area doesn’t cause a major risk to the total system.
Managing admin, worker, and user access for businesses has become more challenging. That doesn’t mean there aren’t viable solutions. RBAC is at the top of the list for effective and secure systems access.
For more information on authentication and authorization software, Nblocks can help.