Access control systems require diligent administration in order to be effective. If everyone has access or people have access to the wrong things, the entire purpose of the system is lost. Utilizing your access control system at maximum efficiency means that a strategy has been created and strictly followed to maintain the necessary checks and balances.

Build an Access Hierarchy

Record all of the access protocols you currently have in place. See what people are actually accessing. You may have over-provided access without realizing it. Even if an individual doesn’t pose any sort of threat by being granted access to a specific area of your business, overproviding access creates a lot of loose ends. If that individual’s credentials were to be compromised in some way, the offender would have access to information that was superfluous to that individual. Keep access levels within a hierarchy to limit the potential for errant information.

Assign Access Appropriately

Create a list of every job title at your organization and determine an access umbrella for everyone with that title. Start by assigning access permissions based solely on job title and role description. There will always be outlier employees who may need special or temporary access to something that wouldn’t ordinarily fall under their purview. Assign those permissions last. Using this system will prevent over-assigning.

Track Access Activity

Monitor what people are actually accessing. They may have permissions to a whole host of relevant things, but only use half of them. Allow them to keep the access permissions they’ve been assigned, and revoke the ones they aren’t actually using. If a special occasion occurs, they can ask for limited access permission. Tracking access will also help you determine if people have found a way to access things they weren’t intended to access.

Automate When Possible

Administrating an access control system is difficult and time-consuming. Automating as much as possible can save time and resources. Utilizing something like a cloud-based will make management and security of the system less of pressing concern, alleviating some of the burdens.

Perform Regular Cleanups

Regularly purge and terminate permissions. If a recently fired disgruntled employee still has permissions, this can put your organization in a very precarious situation. Permissions should be revoked immediately after important decisions are made, roles are changed, people are promoted, or people are let go.

The Management of Access Control Systems

The most important thing is to create a detailed plan for the management of your access control system. The next most important thing is to stick to that plan. Remain diligent about access control within your organization.

Secure Lock and Alarm: Massachusets Access Control Experts

Secure Lock and Alarm has been providing our clients expert Access Control services and installation services since opening our doors. If your business requires an audit of its Access Control system, give us a call today!