In a time where everything is going digital, access is everything. With financial information, government information, and personal information all available online, safeguarding data has never been more essential.
Whether it’s to prevent breaches in sensitive consumer information or make sure that information in the workplace stays that way - access governance software is the best way to go.
That said, based on your tech stack and organizational requirements, not knowing which type to opt for can be annoying. Luckily, we’ve covered everything you need to make the right decision for you and your business.
What is Access Governance Software?
Access governance software refers to any tool that helps control and manage user access to databases, systems, applications, and confidential information. Typically the system in place is governed by specific rules and regulations that the system administrator can modify.
Generally, access governance software is not only put in place for additional security but rather to comply with industry regulations and standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX.
To be more detailed, however, IAM (identity and Access Management), RBAC (Role Based Access Management), ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control), and Zero Trust Access are just a few of the types of governance software used in commonly most industries these days.
What Are Different Types of Access Governance Software?
Identity and Access Management
This is one of the most common and reliable access governance software out there, IAM software automates the process of user provisioning and de-provisioning. The main reason we put IAM software on the top of our list of access governance software is because it’s one of the versatile and needs little intervention once implemented.
IAM allows the usage of SSO (Single-Sign-On) systems and multifactor authentication and only allows access based on the user's authorization and authentication for this.
Benefits of IAM
➡ Easy scalable
➡ Multiple integrations for enhanced security
➡ Easy to operate and requires little intervention
Limitations of IAM
➡ Some IAM providers are expensive
➡ A little challenging to implement
Role-Based Access Management (RBAC)
Put simply, RBAC software assigns permission based on user roles within an organization. This allows it to simplify access management in the process by allowing for centralized control and automating things typically done manually.
Things like provisioning and de-provisioning based on role changes and changes teams are taken care of a lot more easily. This also makes sure that only users that need to have access to necessary resources.
One benefit in the case of RBAC is that it integrates seamlessly with IAM systems, directory services like Active Directory, and PAM solutions. This Access Governance software not only enhances security, but also pairs with cloud services, SIEM systems, and data access governance tools to provide a unified, scalable approach to access control.
Benefits of RBAC
➡ Simplifies access with defined roles
➡ Easy to manage role permissions
➡ Scalable for standard roles
Limitations of RBAC
➡ Risk of excessive permissions
➡ Needs regular updates
➡ Struggles with dynamic access needs
Identity Governance and Maintenance (IGA)
For your organization, IGM software automates identity lifecycle management, ensuring user access aligns with the roles and policies of the team members and staff. This means it supports access certification, enforces segregation of duties, and maintains audit trails for compliance in case anyone makes queries later on.
Capable of Integrating with IAM, HR systems, and cloud services, IGM frameworks provide unified identity management. IGM also pairs with PAM for privileged account governance and SIEM for monitoring, making sure there’s a comprehensive approach to identity security.
Benefits of IGA
➡ Automates user provisioning and de-provisioning
➡ Enhances compliance with regulations
➡ Supports SSO and MFA integration
Limitations of IGA
➡ Requires ongoing maintenance
➡ Can be complex to implement
➡ Potentially high cost
Privileged Access Management
In the case of privileged access management, PAM software secures and controls privileged access, storing credentials in a secure vault with automated password rotation. This allows for more granular access policies with multi-factor authentication.
These types of access governance software monitors sessions in real-time, and record user activity for audits later on.
Aside from this, PAM software also integrates seamlessly with IAM systems for unified access control and SIEM for better-centralized monitoring. This also includes cloud services for managing privileged access across environments which helps ensure compliance and reduce the risk of misuse.
Benefits of PAM
➡ Enhances security for privileged accounts
➡ Provides detailed session monitoring
Limitations of PAM
➡ Can be complex to configure
➡ May require additional training
➡ High implementation cost
Attribute-Based Access Control
For ABAC software, all options allow for dynamic access control based on user, resource, and environmental attributes. This means your framework follows fine-grained policies, and makes real-time access decisions using the defined rules you or your admin have set well in advance.
It’s important to mention that ABAC frameworks can integrate with IAM for centralized user data, SIEM for monitoring, and cloud services for consistent policy enforcement. It also provides flexible, context-aware access management, enhancing security by ensuring users only access resources under specific conditions.
Benefits of ABAC
➡ Granular control over resource access
➡ Provides dynamic, context-aware access
Limitations of ABAC
➡ Requires thorough attribute management
➡ Complex to configure and manage
➡ Can impact system performance
Zero Trust Access
Zero Trust Access software enforces strict, continuous verification of users and devices before granting access. It applies least privilege principles, requires multi-factor authentication, and uses real-time monitoring for security.
Integrating with IAM and SIEM systems, it ensures secure, encrypted connections and adaptive access control. By pairing with EDR and NAC, they enhance endpoint security and network segmentation, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Benefits of ZTA
➡ Minimizes insider and external threats
➡ Enhances security by continuous verification
➡ Supports adaptive access control
Limitations of ZTA
➡ Could increase user friction if not properly implemented
➡ Can be challenging to implement
Policy-Based Access Control
PBAC software uses defined policies to control access, allowing dynamic and fine-grained decisions based on specific rules. PBAC evaluates access in real time and adjusts based on changing conditions. In cases where you Integrate this with IAM, directory services, and SIEM systems, it ensures consistent enforcement and centralized management.
PBAC enhances security by applying context-aware policies across cloud services, PAM, and network access, providing flexible, rule-based control for your databases and tools.
Benefits of PBAC
➡ Centralizes access management policies
➡ Simplifies compliance enforcement
Limitations of PBAC
➡ May slow down access decisions
➡ Can be complex to configure
➡ Requires regular policy updates
Data Access Governance
Data Access Governance software manages and secures access to sensitive data by defining and enforcing access policies. It classifies data, applies granular controls, and continuously monitors access to ensure compliance.
DAG can integrate with IAM for user management, SIEM for centralized monitoring, and DLP tools for data protection. By pairing with PAM and cloud services, it ensures comprehensive data security and compliance, protecting against unauthorized access and data breaches across various environments.
Benefits of DAG
➡ Provides detailed access control
➡ Enhances data security and monitoring
➡ Ensures compliance with data regulations
Limitations of DAG
➡ Requires ongoing maintenance
➡ Can be complex to implement
➡ Can be costly to implement
Why Choose Infisign for Access Governance Software
While there are several different types of access governance software on the market, the fact remains that most of them only offer limited offerings and rarely offer more than one access governance framework in one platform.
With the advent of machine learning and the existence of human error, security breaches and compromised data are a lot more likely. Unlike several options available, Infisign offers more than one type of access governance software.
With options suitable for consumers, internal use as well as identity as a service (IDAAS), Infisign offers convenience and flexibility for companies looking to safeguard their databases and confidential information. Want to know more? Why not reach out for a free trial of our software?
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