Tips on administering access control software

When running any kind of business, you want to be able to control who was accessing information on your network, why they were accessing it, and what they were looking for. You want to be able to secure public and confidential information but also make it available to groups of people-partners, suppliers and employees. You also want to protect your network from identity theft or fraud, as well as guard other personal or private business information. You may need to access critical information at a given time but also need to have the information closed to certain people and open to others.

Or perhaps you have a computer at home with children who spend time running internet searches or doing homework. You may want to protect your files from their wandering eyes (in case they see something they shouldn't, or simply could damage one of your files). Or you want to create a way for them to use your computer without ever encountering your personal or business information. One way to do this is to purchase and install access control software.

First of all, what is access control software?

Access control software tells a computer operating system which access rights each user has for a particular system file (a directory file or individual file). Each object (or file) on your computer has a certain type of security attached to it that identifies its access control list (who can or cannot access it). Each object has a list of "privileges" associated with it: from the privilege to read a file, or file directory to the privilege to write in the file, or execute the file.

By installing and administrating access control software you are able to protect yourself, your business or your company. Some suggestions are listed below for things to look for in access control software.

Access control software can:

• help you or your company manage employees' accounts across your business network


• help you or your company recertify employees' accounts across your business network


• help you or your company automate the job of enforcing process controls


• help you or your company automate the tracking of audit trails


• help you or your company manage work groups


• help you or your company manage the roles of employees at work


• help you or your company manage employee privileges

Many companies have found that using access control software on its own does not give sufficient administrative control. They have found that using access control software along with identity management software (which is another type of access control software) offers a much greater level of control and security. Some suggestions are listed below for things to look for in identity management software.

Identity management software can:

• help you or your company design and carry out a smoother workflow


• help you or your company automate administrative tasks


• help you or your company consolidate regulation reports that your business may require


• help you or your company improve administration of accounts


• help you or your company improve administration access controls

Together, identity management software and access control software can function to the optimum potential and enable you or your business to remain secure.

There are many companies that sell access control software. Some examples are: Symantec, Global Knowledge, CA, Secure Computing, Idera, Searchnetworking.com, Caymas Systems, Information Security, Bytware, Inc., Aladdin Knowledge Systems, Beyond Trust, ConQwest, BSafe Enterprise Security, and RSA Security. You want to be sure to investigate the specific abilities of your choice for access control software. Your specific needs may influence the type of software you buy. If you're looking for home computer access control, you may need fewer controls than if you are looking for administrative business controls.

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