Data access restrictions are vital to keeping confidential information private and secure. They are used to prevent individuals who are not authorized from accessing sensitive information and systems, thus restricting data availability to trusted individuals who have earned the right through rigorous vetting and verification processes.
This includes research training and project vetting and the use of secure lab environments, whether in virtual or physical form. In some instances an embargo might be necessary to safeguard research findings until they are ready to be published.
A variety of access control models are available which include Discretionary access Control (DAC), where the owner or administrator determines who can access specific systems, databases or resources. This model is flexible however it can also lead to security risks as individuals may accidentally grant access to those who shouldn’t. Mandatory Access Control (MAC), is a mandatory and standard feature in government or military settings where access is controlled by classification of information and clearance levels.
Access control is also critical to meet the industry’s compliance requirements to protect information and ensure security. By implementing best practices for access control and adhering to established policies organizations can demonstrate compliance during audits or inspections. They also can avoid penalties and fines and ensure trust among customers or clients. This is especially crucial in environments that are under the control of regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. By regularly reviewing and updating access rights for current and former employees, employers can ensure they aren’t leaving sensitive information exposed to users who aren’t authorized. This requires an attentive audit of access rights and ensuring that access is deprovisioned automatically when employees leave the company or change their roles.
