Role-Based Access in EPM Policies

Jul 15, 2024

Role-Based Access in EPM Policies

Importance of Role-Based Access

  • Key to building and maintaining Effective Privilege Management (EPM) policies
  • Two methodologies for EPM policy:
    1. Individual Policies
    2. Role-Based Access (RBA)

Individual Policies vs. Role-Based Access

Individual Policies

  • Each user assigned a unique set of policies
  • Policies contain allowed applications and tasks
  • Appears to follow the Principle of Least Privilege more closely

Role-Based Access (RBA)

  • Policies assigned to identified roles
  • All users in a role can execute or elevate associated applications and tasks

Advantages of Role-Based Access

  • Scalability: Simplifies management in larger environments
  • Example: File server management
    • Individual access assignment becomes unmanageable
    • Role-based access reduces administrative effort
  • Supports joiners, movers, and leavers (JML) process
  • Minimizes privilege creep

Implementing Role-Based Access

Initial Steps

  • Start with a binary option (e.g., admin vs. non-admin)
  • Tailor rights as needed to prevent abuse

Further Refinement

  • Split out into more specific roles based on common user access patterns

Targeting and Identifying Roles

Pre-existing Group Membership

  • Utilize groups based on function (e.g., developers, operations, security)

Combining Groups

  • Create roles using collections of groups
    • E.g., DevOps role for users in both developers and operations groups

Using Conditions

  • Create policies based on conditions:
    • Availability of network resources
    • Connection type
  • Can use scripts to match any true/false condition or characteristic

Example Scenario

  • Developer connecting from home:
    • Assign developer policy based on group membership
    • Apply remote worker rules based on conditions
    • Ensure policies fit within risk reduction framework while maintaining flexibility

Summary

  • Role-Based Access offers administrative efficiency, scalability, and minimizes privilege creep
  • Provides a mechanism for flexible policy application and exception handling