Information security and access control are as important as productivity in any corporate body. Cyber threats such as malware attacks, social engineering attacks, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, software supply chain attacks, etc pose constant threats to corporations. Numerous cases of data breach cause tremendous damages resulting in revenue loss, damage to brand reputation, loss of intellectual property, etc.
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, with new attacking tactics. Fortunately, a robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) system with a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) based information security measure will be able to counter these said attacks. In general, an IAM system is composed of 4 elements namely User Management, Authorization, Authentication, and Central User Repository.
User Management is the element wherein the creation, distribution, and maintenance of user identities and privileges are done depending on user’s or employee’s hierarchy or position. Authorization is the function of granting permission to a user to access a particular resource or service. Authentication is the verification of the personnel’s identity by Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and there are three most common kinds of factors to confirm one’s identity, including “something you have” (e.g., a smart ID card or a secure USB key), “something you know” (e.g., a password or a memorized PIN), and “something you are” (e.g., a fingerprint or facial recognition). Lastly, the Central User Repository is the database of authorized users’ identities and access rights as well as user activity logs. Smart card technology enables the deployment of the MFA as a complimentary and effective part of an IAM system.
On the other hand, the inclusion of PKI using a smart card as the secure element brings the solution to a higher level by utilizing digital certificates to encrypt/decrypt files and electronically sign documents, contracts, and emails for ease in the verification of the authenticity of the authorized signatory or signatories. These functions are possible through asymmetric algorithm (e.g., RSA and ECC) and transaction integrity verification using hash algorithms (e.g., SHA-1, SHA-2, SHA-3). Not only can this be applied to internal communications within the corporate organization but also the external exchanges among the corporation and its third-party partners, suppliers, subsidiaries, etc. Moreover, the combination of IAM and PKI promotes flexibility as the system can be implemented to employees either working from home or at the office.
As long as corporations have physical addresses, there is always an inevitable need to have a physical access control system implemented within office spaces, buildings, or parking areas in order to ensure the safety and security of the authorized personnel. Therefore, smart card technology can also be concurrently utilized for authorized access within the prescribed spaces allowing practicality of multiple applications in one smart card.
Circle provides secure, reliable, fast, and cost-effective smart cards and smart card readers as a medium for smart card-based IAM system, PKI solution, and Physical Access Control.
Authentication is always the foundation of cyber security measures. Smart cards in an IAM and PKI system adds a top-notch security layer on the security by cryptography capabilities . Asymmetric cryptography capabilities and hash algorithms of specific smart card technology allow message and logical access authentication, non-repudiation of digitally signed messages or documents, and transaction tampering detection which are the barest of minimum in solutions against cybersecurity threats.
When a corporation has already secured its logical access controls and intellectual or confidential data, there’s also emphasis to the safety of its other assets namely its office unit, building, or parking spaces and employees through an impactful physical access control system. By using the same smart card not just in an IAM system but also an ID for physical access control revolutionizes the investment gains of using one card in multiple applications with solid benefits.
An efficient IAM system allows one to authenticate and access corporate’s intranet, website portals, servers or cloud with a single sign-on, reducing the hassle of signing in different platforms repeatedly and setting up different login for different platforms. Also, one would be logged out automatically once the smart card has been removed from the reader. It streamlines the authentication and authorization processes.
With the high security features of the smart card technology, negative cost implications of identity theft, cybersecurity attacks, and unauthorized physical entry can be significantly reduced. When you have these factors controlled, then most likely corporations have higher chances of overall productivity and profitability. The same card can be used in multiple applications such as Identification, logical access control, encryption/decryption, and physical access control, hence, resulting in a compact, powerful, and flexible solution with the lowest hardware cost.
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