Identity and Access Management: A Small Business Survival Guide
In today's digital landscape, cyber security isn't just for large corporations. Small businesses are equally (if not more) vulnerable to data breaches, cyberattacks, and the financial and reputational damage that comes with them. One of the most crucial tools in a small business's cyber security arsenal is Identity and Access Management (IAM).
What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)?
Simply put, IAM is the framework of policies and technologies that ensures the right people have the right access to the right resources at the right time. It's about knowing who has the keys to your digital kingdom and controlling what they can do with them. If we were to think of it like the physical security of your home, we’d be talking about:
Who has access, as in who lives in the house and therefore has a key to enter.
What is their role in the house, such are they a parent (administrator) or a child (user)?
What level of access does each user have, for example can everyone roam free in every part of the house? Or are there sensitive areas like the chemical cupboard or the parent’s bedroom where the children aren’t allowed?
How are you dealing with keys when someone new moves in or someone moves out? Do they still have a key and access?
Why IAM Matters for Small Businesses
You might think, "We're small, we don't have anything worth stealing." Think again. Small businesses are attractive targets for cybercriminals because they often lack the robust security measures of larger companies. An IAM system can:
Protect Sensitive Data: Customer information, financial records, intellectual property – IAM helps safeguard your most valuable assets.
Prevent Unauthorized Access: Strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and access controls help keep bad actors out of your systems.
Reduce the Risk of Insider Threats: Disgruntled employees or accidental data leaks can be mitigated with proper access controls and monitoring.
Streamline Operations: Automating user provisioning and deprovisioning saves time and reduces errors.
Improve Compliance: Many industries have regulations around data protection and privacy. IAM can help you meet these requirements.
Practical Steps for Small Businesses
Conduct an Access Audit: Identify all users and their access levels. Remove unnecessary access and update permissions as needed. Consider a Zero Trust Model or at least Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) policy which simply means that users only have access to the areas, applications, and services that they essentially need. This is essential because if an employee’s device is compromised, and their account has very limited access, the attacker is unable to easily compromise the entire network before a breach is detected.
Implement Strong Password Policies: Require strong passwords or passphrases of at least 14 character length, regular password changes, and consider a password manager such as LastPass or NordPass.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second form of identification, like a code from their phone as a minimum but ideally using an inference factor such as biometric data e.g. fingerprint scan.
Choose the Right IAM Solution: Many affordable cloud-based IAM solutions are designed for small businesses. Research and select one that fits your needs and budget such as One Login’s One Identity Cloud or Okta’s Workforce Identity Cloud.
Educate Your Employees: Regularly train staff on cyber security best practices, the importance of IAM, and how to recognize phishing attempts.
Create a Robust Offboarding Process: In order to ensure your former employees don’t become insider threats (intentional or accidental), make sure you establish a method of offboarding that removes all possible access for those former employees. This can include changing passwords, removing the user from network whitelists, collecting any company property (such as work laptops, removable devices, or phones), and disabling physical access such as ID cards, smart cards, RFID tokens, and keys.
Monitor and Review: Keep an eye on user activity logs for suspicious behaviour and review your IAM policies regularly to ensure they're up-to-date.
Don't Be a Low-Hanging Fruit
In the cybercrime world, small businesses with weak security are the "low-hanging fruit." Don't make it easy for attackers. By investing in IAM, you're not just protecting your data; you're protecting your business's future. It's a small step with a big impact on your cyber security posture.
Remember: Cybersecurity is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Stay vigilant, adapt as threats evolve, and consider consulting with cyber security professionals for tailored advice.