The rise in cybersecurity incidents has severely impacted businesses of all sizes and even disrupted government operations. It’s no surprise, then, that 28% of survey participants identify cybersecurity as a major business and IT challenge. This growing concern is reflected in the expanding market for cybersecurity solutions, with the Omidia Horizons report projecting the global cybersecurity market to grow by over 13% annually, reaching $342 billion USD by 2026.
As organizations integrate more digital technology into their operations, the potential attack surface for cyber threats enlarges. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize cybersecurity within your physical security solutions, such as access control systems.
This guide outlines essential cybersecurity best practices for access control solutions to help protect your organization from cyber threats.
Key Cybersecurity Best Practices for Access Control
Implementing these best practices can enhance the security of sensitive data and minimize the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.
Utilize Strong Authentication Methods Beyond using strong passwords, it is advisable for organizations to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for access control systems and identity verification.
MFA, such as requiring a one-time passcode sent to a mobile device in addition to a password, can prevent malicious actors from accessing sensitive information with a single set of stolen credentials.
MFA should also be applied to physical access. Requiring both a PIN and a key card at door readers adds an extra layer of security, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access with a lost or stolen key card.
Adopt the Latest Technology As cyber threats evolve, it’s crucial to use the latest access control technologies to protect against new forms of attacks.
Utilizing up-to-date access control readers and credential technologies with the latest firmware and software designed to thwart cyber attacks, especially in restricted areas, enhances security and reliability.
Restrict Access Privileges Granting broad access privileges to most staff can increase the risk of accidental or malicious insider threats. Limiting each employee’s access to only what is necessary for their role can reduce this risk and improve security in restricted areas.
Educate and Train Employees A commonly overlooked practice is training employees on secure access control, best practices, and the risks associated with unauthorized access.
By increasing awareness and providing regular training, employees will be better equipped to perform their duties securely, thereby enhancing the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.
Conduct Regular Access Reviews Regularly reviewing access rights ensures they remain appropriate and up-to-date. This practice helps remove unnecessary access for individuals and can identify suspicious activities requiring further investigation.
Perform Regular Audits Security teams should regularly produce audit event reports that detail all activities within the access control system. These reports help detect unauthorized access, suspicious activities, or system vulnerabilities.
In the event of an incident, audit logs can investigate and prevent future occurrences. Additional benefits of regular audits include:
- Compliance: Regulatory bodies and industry standards often require regular audits of access control systems. Compliance builds stakeholder trust, enhances credibility, and avoids legal penalties.
- Accountability: Audit reports promote accountability and transparency, allowing organizations to track who accesses sensitive data and their actions.
- Continual Improvement: Audits highlight security gaps that need addressing, such as weak passwords or outdated configurations, facilitating continuous improvement in cybersecurity measures.
Maintain Reader Inventory Maintaining and auditing access control readers regularly helps protect the communication lines from readers to panels and identifies any weakened readers. Keeping firmware updated is crucial for the effective maintenance of access control readers.