Did you know that 39% of businesses are affected by cybersecurity breaches? If you’re considering ways to secure your cloud-based infrastructure, conditional access should be top of mind.
But what is conditional access – and why do you need it?
Keep reading to learn about conditional access and its benefits for your security strategy in the year ahead.
What Is Conditional Access?
Conditional access is a tool that helps businesses verify users’ identities and authorisation before they access your cloud-based resources. There are two types:
- App-based – when employees use apps to access company resources, the app-based tool ensures that the apps comply with app protection policies and will not detriment network security.
- Device-based – if a user tries to connect to your network and access your cloud-based resources with a new device, device-based protection will ensure that the employee device is equipped with sufficient cybersecurity protection. It will help monitor that there is nothing abnormal about the device’s location or identity.
Failing to monitor the devices and apps on your system may result in an internal security breach. You must ensure no gaps, loopholes, or vulnerabilities in the apps and devices used to access your network.
Conditional Access Vs Zero Trust
Conditional access is different to zero trust. However, this approach can help businesses to adhere to a zero-trust policy, and works hand in hand with zero trust to prevent internal-origin data breaches.
Conditional access prevents untrustworthy devices and apps from being used to access company resources, whereas zero trust limits the amount of data a user can access on the network.
Zero trust applies role-based user permissions to limit the consequences of a data breach, which protects you from internal breaches, either from hijacked accounts or rogue employees.
Benefits Of Conditional Access
This security measure can strengthen your cybersecurity policy in the following ways:
- It allows you to extend your security beyond a username and password, using information by checking device location and identity.
- The tool blocks access for users when anomalous data, such as an abnormal geographical location, is detected. This allows the tool to keep the system secure until the issue has been assessed.
- Allows you to establish conditions for downloading and accessing data in your network – such as who can download an app or making specific data inaccessible to low-level or new employees.
- It enables multi-factor authentication, which reduces the potential for stolen credentials to be used to access data.
- The tool provides your security teams with notifications and alerts for any anomalous data or behaviour detected in your system.
- You do not need to rely on a third party to implement it, which means you can enhance security without increasing costs for your business.
Because it offers MFA, strict access conditions, and relatively low costs, this is an increasingly popular cybersecurity measure for modern businesses.
Summary
A modern business needs to stay ahead of the curve regarding cybersecurity. Failing to provide adequate protection will result in compliance issues and potential legal ramifications. This security measure allows businesses to control who accesses their network using apps and devices.
Consider protecting your cloud-based infrastructure with this essential protection measure. Contact our experienced managed IT service at HelpDesk Computers to learn more about managing your cybersecurity needs.