Weak and stolen passwords, especially privileged credentials, remain among the most common attack vectors in the digital threat landscape. The question is: What is the amount of damage that can be caused by a single user relying on a specific organization’s network? What databases can each user access? What databases should they have access to?
What is Access Creep
Access creep characterizes the gradual accumulation of superfluous permissions, access rights, and overt privileges granted to individual users over time. This phenomenon often arises as users transition between roles, necessitating additional permissions, yet neglecting to revoke previously granted access that is no longer relevant to their current responsibilities. As a consequence, the user’s access profile expands incrementally, potentially leading to heightened security risks and an increased attack surface. The insidious nature of access creep underscores the importance of regular access reviews and proactive measures to mitigate unnecessary privileges, thereby fortifying overall cybersecurity postures.
What caused Access creep
Access creep typically originates from seemingly innocuous scenarios within an organizational framework as employees navigate and engage with various facets of the enterprise. One common scenario involves users undertaking specific projects requiring access to databases or assets beyond their usual scope. While these permissions are temporarily granted for the project’s duration, the challenge arises when oversight is lacking, and these privileges persist even after the project concludes.
Another avenue through which access creep manifests is during transitions within an organization, such as promotions, demotions, or lateral moves to different departments. In these instances, the user often inherits permissions tied to their prior roles, and unfortunately, these access rights are not promptly rescinded during the transition. As a result, individuals accumulate permissions associated with multiple positions and departments, creating a situation where their access extends beyond the scope required for their current responsibilities.
Access creep is, therefore, a consequence of dynamic organizational changes and project-based permissions, emphasizing the critical need for robust oversight mechanisms and periodic access reviews to curtail the persistence of unnecessary privileges.
Preventing Access Creep
Mitigating access creep hinges on vigilant oversight within your identity security framework, a domain effectively governed by identity governance. Elevate your enterprise’s defenses by implementing a robust Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) solution. This strategic integration empowers your IT security team to adeptly manage roles, providing a comprehensive view of employee permissions and digital roles.
In the context of a holistic identity governance deployment, it is imperative to conduct a thorough evaluation of the actual access requirements aligned with each employee’s role within the organization. Prune any redundant or unnecessary privileges, extending this scrutiny even to privileged users. Throughout the lifecycle of a user’s engagement—whether during onboarding, offboarding, or internal transitions—ensure that access provisioning and de-provisioning processes are meticulously executed and overseen by your security team.
To bolster preventive measures, your IT security team should play an active role in the authorization of temporary permissions. Effective regulation of the provisioning and de-provisioning of these temporary access rights is paramount. A widely adopted practice involves setting firm timelines for temporary permissions. At the conclusion of the predefined period, the system autonomously revokes these permissions, ensuring a proactive approach to access management.
This approach, rooted in robust identity governance, not only fortifies cybersecurity but also aligns seamlessly with the proactive measures detailed earlier, forming a cohesive strategy to curb access creep within your organizational landscape.