What is Granular Access Control?

Granular Access Control (GAC) is a refined management system in which you can specify the exact actions you want to perform on a given resource based on each user and their allotted roles.

Unlike Broad access control, GAC gives organisations full control over deciding who they want to trust their data with. This allows them to strengthen their security by removing unnecessary access.

In this blog, we will explore the Six “Ws” of GAC what, the who, the where, the when, and the how - for you to understand the workings of modern-day cyber security.

Granular Access Control (GAC) refers to the practice of removing excess access to data and making it available to specific users based on their roles. This enhances security and reduces the chances of a data breach.

GAC plays a crucial role in any industry that deals with sensitive data, such as healthcare, finance, or insurance. With GAC, you can also monitor and track critical assets.

Privileged Access Management is a system that enhances cyber security by preventing unauthorised access to data through monitoring of actions. In a PAM environment, granular access management helps organisations decide who they want to grant access to sensitive assets on a PAM system.

This access included time-based access, restricting access and implementing MFA for critical operations. This minimises potential security threats and prevents data breaches, all while complying with set regulatory standards.

What is the Logic Behind Granular Access Control?

Granular Access Control functions on the principle of “least privilege” to enhance data security. Under this principle, GAC believes in providing users with the bare minimum access to carry out their necessary tasks. This automatically brings down the possibility of unauthorised access.

The system also follows a “need-to-know” principle, under which it needs to be made aware of the various roles users play on a system to properly assess and decide the level of access. Additionally, GAC segregates the users based on the segmentation technique to make sure that users using the same system management have access to only their allotted levels.

This helps the organisation prevent data breaches, which is an important factor in today’s world, where cyber threats are always a possibility.

The Six Ws of Granular Access Control

Why?

Granular Access Control (GAC) is essential for all organisations as it secures data against unauthorised access. Without GAC, organisations can be easy targets for cybercriminals, and a data breach can severely damage a company's reputation and finances.

GAC can provide transparency to your organisation by enabling audits and detailed activity tracking. GAC limits access by allowing users to only access the resources they need, thereby minimising the chance of unauthorised access.

Who?

Granular Access Systems define who can have access to the various parts of the system. GAC follows the principle of “least access”, so it is very selective in determining the limit of access to be provided.

It bases this on user roles as defined in the company’s directory. While the IT team can also provide access to these roles, it would be a Herculean task. On the other hand, PAM systems can seamlessly perform this task without any difficulty.

How?

Once the roles have been assigned, users can use various methods, such as passwords, tokens or MFA, to verify their identity before logging in.

Privileged Access Management helps in setting up these provisions for various levels of authentication needed for user roles. GAC requires it to be integrated with your organisation's management system to ensure consistency and implement restrictions throughout the system without compromising data accessibility.

What?

In a Granular Access Control system, access to the organisation’s data is available strictly on a role basis. The clearer and more defined your role is, the easier it gets for the GAC system to allocate resources to you.

Assigning roles accurately not only helps in granting access but also in determining the extent of access. For example, in a corporate company, HR might have access to an employee's personal files but not their financial records. This role-based access is only possible when the roles are clearly defined in the company’s directory.

Where?

Today, it’s not unusual for people to log into the system from various IP addresses since many organisations allow their employees to log in from anywhere. However, the IT department can't verify every single IP.

Granular access controls can help by limiting the number of locations from which the system can be accessed. Similar restrictions need to be applied to VPNs used outside the office premises as well.

Allowing people to modify your data from miles away from the prime location can only make the data vulnerable; hence, the highest level of access should only be authorised to people logging in through the physical server.

When?

Another important factor to consider for securing the privacy of your data is determining how long one can have access to a certain resource. In an organisation with so many vertices, one will not be able to access the system or a certain piece of data 24 hours a day.

GAC establishes its system not just based on roles but also on how long the system can be accessed. Setting a timeframe can help you monitor user actions better and prevent any data leaks.

For example, granular access controls can also be used to provide temporary access for contractual workers who might be accessing your system regularly for a specified period.

Features of Granular Access Control

Total Security: Provides a centralised platform that can manage your data by limiting access, managing credentials, tracking data and maintaining logs.
Customisation: Can customise your system based on the roles of the users.
Regulatory Compliance: Complies with the regulations set by the industry, such as GDPR and HIPAA and more.

Types of Granular Access Control Systems

Role-Based Access(RBAC): Provides authorisation based on the roles as defined in the directory of the company.
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Grants access based on relevant attributes such as job title, location, etc., for a more flexible and dynamic approach.
Context-Based Access Control (CBAC): Takes into account contextual factors when a user requests access, such as device used, network location, etc., to allow user access.

Difference Between Fine and Coarse Granular Access Control

Fine granular access control is highly specific and based on the user’s needs, whereas coarse access control provides access with a minimum specificity.

Under Fine Granular access, you will require detailed permissions for each resource. Coarse Granular, on the other hand, provides generalised access for users.

Fine Granular access is suitable for organisations that deal with sensitive data like insurance, finance, and healthcare and requires more advanced policies for implementation. Coarse granular access is suitable for low-risk environments and is simpler and easier to implement.

Conclusion

Granular Access Control (GAC) provides an essential layer of security, helping organisations manage their data according to industry regulations and preventing unauthorised access. Organisations should consider GAC a foundational element in any cyber security strategy, particularly in industries that deal with sensitive data, such as healthcare and finance.

At Instasafe, our security solutions improve an organisation's security posture by allowing granular access only to authorised users.

Our Zero Trust Application Access solution, in particular, allows you to manage your organisation’s access control policies from a single dashboard, offering better visibility and control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do granular permissions mean?

Under granular permissions, access rights are customised for each user as per their roles and usage needs.

What is the granular access permissions model?

A granular access permissions model assigns access permissions based on individual actions and data. Such a model is developed to function with controlled and minimal access.

What is the most granular type of access control?

Role-based access control and Attribute-based granular control are the most granular types of access control.

What are the six benefits of access control?

The six benefits of access control are:

Improved security
Reduced Unauthorised Access
Regulatory compliance
Risk mitigation
Operational efficiency
Accountability