How to Track Password and Permission Changes at the Enterprise Level

Despite being able to sway policymakers and command vast physical resources, data remains an enterprise's most valuable commodity. After all, any enterprise that doesn't understand its customer base and make data-driven decisions can't compete on the world stage. Safeguarding data is, therefore, a top priority.

It's also a challenging task since cybersecurity threats keep multiplying and evolving year after year. Unauthorized passwords and permission changes are common means of pursuing access. What steps should enterprises take to track them? Keep reading to get a complete picture.

Why Is Password and Permission Change Monitoring Important?

Enterprise operations generate and rely on vast quantities of data. Much of that data is sensitive, and unauthorized access could have dire consequences. For example, client databases can contain identifiable information such as names, (email) addresses, and banking info for thousands or even millions of people. With so much on the line, data breach costs can soar.

Monitoring's most vital function is ensuring the integrity and security of such information. Administrators who regularly track such changes can successfully prevent unauthorized changes and file access. Even if a security breach does happen, a log audit lets admins pinpoint the event's timing and the credentials bad actors used to execute their attack.

Having a documented trail lets cybersecurity professionals rule out suspects. However unfortunate, a well-documented breach is also an opportunity to strengthen the company's cyber defenses, making them more resilient against future attacks.

Lastly, monitoring is the most comprehensive way the company can prove its compliance with rules and regulations. Presenting a documented trail of permission and password changes during inspections lowers the risk of having to pay fines or restructure existing policies.

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What Are the Best Practices?

Password and permission change tracking can only be successful if you develop the necessary auditing policies and use the right tools. We outline the most effective ones below.

Enforcing a robust password policy

Strong and unique passwords are cybersecurity best practices fundamental to data security. Since human error can make passwords particularly vulnerable, taking it out of the equation is the best approach.

Enterprise-level management software reduces human involvement in creating and updating passwords to a minimum. It's possible to tie it to employee onboarding and access reviews. That way, everyone gets a set of strong passwords as soon as needed. Moreover, business password managers simplify the process of regular company-wide password updates and tracking. Meanwhile, employees need to keep only one master password in mind instead of having to remember dozens.

Data assessment & classification

Enterprise-level password and permissions tracking presupposes a complete understanding of all the data the company stores and collects. A bad actor might not need to alter permissions or passwords to interact with information they shouldn't have access to. Proper data classification goes a long way toward preventing this.

Establishing user roles & privileges

That is a crucial step! It lowers the chance of attack or misuse by giving each user class only the tools necessary to complete their tasks. This is also known as the principle of least privilege.

Merely setting up a user hierarchy isn't enough. Enterprise-level companies have dynamic ecosystems where employees constantly come, go, and assume new positions. The IT team needs to conduct or automate user access reviews. These check whether a user's current role corresponds with their permissions. They uncover and correct discrepancies. The process can include revoking old permissions and establishing new ones.

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Audit log review

Digital user activities create a trail that makes it possible to piece them together—subjecting such logs to periodic reviews even when no signs of trouble should be standard practice. Doing so may uncover irregularities or signs of tampering and identify weak points before they become exploited.

Keeping tracking results safe

Audit logs are instrumental for password and permission change tracking. Maintaining their integrity is a top priority. They're usually generated automatically. However, what's to say that someone who knows how to alter permissions and passwords undetected won't do the same to said logs?

That's why keeping heavily restricted log backups is a must. The best way to do so is through secure cloud storage. Files in cloud storage automatically receive encryption. It's also essential to ensure that all log backups are transferred securely, as much as keeping them. To do this, employing a reliable VPN with a threat protection feature is a must.

A good VPN will securely encrypt all data between the server and the cloud storage. This will prevent malicious actors from intercepting and modifying the log backups. It also prevents anyone from accessing the information without the proper credentials. With a secure VPN, log backups will remain unaltered and secure.