The strategy "Managing service and admin account through life cycle management" focuses on ensuring the security, compliance, and operational efficiency of accounts from creation to decommissioning. It begins with a structured account creation process, emphasizing the need for defining roles, setting up approval mechanisms, and utilizing automated tools for efficient account setup. For example, ensuring proper documentation and utilizing role-based access control (RBAC) are key steps in this phase.
Next, maintaining accounts efficiently is vital. This involves regular reviews of account permissions, enforcing strong password policies, and implementing multifactor authentication. Automated tools for provisioning and de-provisioning accounts help streamline this process. For instance, activity logging and periodic access reviews ensure ongoing security and compliance.
Finally, securely decommissioning accounts is essential to mitigate risks. This strategy includes defining clear policies for deactivation, using automated de-provisioning tools, and ensuring secure data backup. Decommissioning protocols, such as notifying stakeholders and removing resources associated with accounts, help maintain security. Documenting these processes ensures audit trails and compliance with organizational policies.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Implement a clear account creation process
- Define the roles and responsibilities for service and admin accounts
- Set up a standard procedure for account requests and approval
- Ensure proper documentation for all account creation requests
- Utilise automated tools to create and configure accounts
- Assign unique IDs and track account ownership
- Educate staff on account creation policies and procedures
- Integrate identity and access management solutions
- Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
- Perform regular audits of newly created accounts
- Monitor account creation activity for any anomalies
⛳️ Strategy 2: Maintain accounts efficiently
- Regularly review and update account permissions
- Enforce strong password policies and multifactor authentication
- Implement automated account provisioning and de-provisioning workflows
- Enable activity logging and monitoring for all accounts
- Conduct periodic access reviews and re-certifications
- Provide training on security best practices for administrators
- Implement a system for securely handling privileged credentials
- Use automated tools for configuring and managing service accounts
- Establish a protocol for handling inactive or unused accounts
- Integrate account management with other IT and security systems
⛳️ Strategy 3: Decommission accounts securely
- Define policies for account deactivation and deletion
- Implement automated de-provisioning tools
- Ensure secure backup and archiving of necessary account data
- Remove or reassign resources and permissions associated with the account
- Notify relevant stakeholders before decommissioning accounts
- Conduct a final review and approval process before account deletion
- Revoke access tokens and certificates linked to the account
- Document the decommissioning process and maintain audit trails
- Educate staff on the importance of securely decommissioning accounts
- Regularly review and update decommissioning policies and procedures
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
