Access control policy: template & best practices

What is an access control policy?

Access control policies are sets of rules that define access control systems. With an access control policy in place, administrators can allow users to access the resources they need. And they can limit access to unauthorized users. This security model protects sensitive data from external and insider attacks.

Download Access Control Policy template

What do access control policies manage?

An organization's access control policy manages how users interact with digital and physical assets.

There are two basic types of access control systems. Both should be part of your access control policy:

• Logical access control policies cover access to servers, databases, and applications.
• Physical access policies deal with entry points such as card readers or locks.
  
  

Logical access policies have three main components:

• Authentication identifies users by requesting credentials. Organizations generally rely on multi-factor authentication to defend sensitive data. This demands more than one authentication factor before allowing access.
• Authorization provisions users with access rights. A robust access control policy limits access rights to resources that users require. Privileges can be allocated individually. But it is more efficient to link roles to access rights.
• Auditing enables administrators to verify that users have the correct privileges. Audits check for over-privileged system administrator privileges or shared accounts. And they remove unused accounts before external attackers can compromise them.

What should you include in an access control policy?

Access control policies vary, but tend to have common elements. Standard elements of access control policies include:

1. Scope

Scope refers to the systems and users covered by the access control policy. There are three important areas to include here:

Different classes of user

For instance, an insurance company might need to consider sales teams, developers, HR, customers, and even third-party maintenance services. Each category has its own access rights and requirements. The access control policy should clearly define these rights.

Protecting specific assets

The policy should assign each resource a priority level and apply appropriate controls. A good rule is to prioritize assets that fall under relevant data protection regulations.

When and where access controls apply

For instance, the access control model might block remote access from public Wi-Fi. Or the device policy may prohibit the use of private computers.

• EXAMPLE : "This policy applies to all employees, third-party contractors, policyholders, and vendors who connect to [Insurance Company] applications, servers, or any network devices that can hold or transmit information specified in the [Insurance Company] Data Protection Policy. Servers and applications processing client financial information are classified as "high security" and require additional authentication before allowing access."

2. Purpose

The second section of the policy explains why access controls are needed.

Controls should align with business goals. They should defend critical data and systems. The policy should define how access controls achieve these aims.

Poorly understood controls cause conflict between employees and IT managers. Without a clear mission statement, it's impossible to assess whether controls are effective. So security teams should write this section carefully and consult stakeholders to suit their needs.

• EXAMPLE : "The access control policy seeks to minimize access to client and company information. It aims to prevent unauthorized access and use of sensitive information, in line with PCI-DSS regulations and [Insurance Company] security policies. The policy seeks to balance access control and availability, ensuring smooth operation of network assets."

3. Responsibility

This section defines who owns and operates the access control policy.

Ownership refers to whoever creates and audits the policy. This individual is usually a Security Officer. They take responsibility for protecting high-value assets, and ensuring roles and privileges are properly allocated.

Operators of the access control policy are not the same as the policy owners. The policy should define who implements access controls and deals with day-to-day maintenance. In practice, this will usually be the responsibility of IT administrators.

This section should also explain the separation of duties. This principle ensures that single users cannot make global changes to an organization's access systems. Instead, they must seek approval from a third party before making important administrative changes.

• EXAMPLE : "The Chief Security Officer is the ultimate owner of the Access Control Policy. Any changes to access controls require the approval of the CSO or a relevant departmental manager. This includes user additions and deletions, along with amendments to an individual's access rights. Administrators will apply the principle of least privilege, and ensure that users only have access to essential resources."

4. Defining access controls

This section is the most detailed part of an access control policy. The policy should list the core elements of the organization's access management system. Details may vary but elements include:

• The principle of least privilege. Under POLP, users can access resources they need but nothing more. Use this as the foundation for assigning access privileges and creating user roles.
• Roles or attribute-based controls. This section describes the access control system. This could be a role-based access control model (RBAC) where privileges are linked to user roles. If so, list user roles and explain how the system assigns permissions. Include any additional controls for the most sensitive data.
• User credentials. The password policy defines a "secure password" and explains how to make password changes. Include warnings about shared passwords and the need to change defaults. If relevant, add information about multi-factor authentication requirements such as One Time Passwords or biometrics.
• Account management. Explains how user accounts will be managed, including how to create and remove accounts. May include information about audit schedules and event logging, as well as notes about shared accounts and third-party authorization of admin privileges. The digital access policy may mention automated provisioning and off-boarding if these tools are in use.
• Physical controls. A list of physical access controls and the assets they protect. The physical access control policy may include defense in depth for servers handling sensitive information. Weaker physical controls could apply to office settings.
• Remote access. If applicable, include rules about how the remote workforce can safely connect to network resources. This may include the use of Virtual Private Networks or authentication hardware to verify identities.
  
  

This PDF template is a good example of how to define an access control system. Apply the format to your environment, using the themes above as a guide.

Best practices for access control policies

Following these best practices will make it easier to create effective access policies:

1. Match roles and access rights on a need-to-know basis

Create roles that reflect the makeup of your organization. Provision each role with privileges that allow employees to carry out their professional tasks. Adopt a need-to-know approach, assigning minimal privileges starting from the bottom up. Avoiding granting wide network access if possible.

2. Create temporary and permanent access privileges

Assess whether users require long or short-term access rights. Third parties may require access to a protected system for a short period. But full-time employees usually need ongoing access. Make sure temporary privileges are time-limited. Revoke access when the period elapses.

3. Add extra defenses for confidential information

Resources such as patient records need robust protection. In these cases, administrators can combine RBAC with attributed-based controls. Exclude users making suspicious access requests or accessing from insecure locations. And add extra authentication factors for the most important data.

4. Communicate policies and train users

Network users must completely understand the access control policy. Make your security policy freely available. Schedule training sessions to explain how controls work. Put in place support services to assist employees and change access profiles if needed.

5. Use automation to make access management easier

Tracking controls and maintaining user profiles can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Automation tools make authentication more efficient, while automated policy provision and off-boarding removes unused accounts. That way, admins can focus on critical security tasks and protect high-value information.

Conclusion

Access control policies are an essential security tool. Clear and comprehensive policies protect data, streamline administrative tasks, and make life harder for malicious actors. Leverage the best practices above and use our template to create a policy that suits your requirements. The result will be better risk management, robust compliance, and enhanced data protection.