Modern security plans have to incorporate Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM), particularly among companies that need to closely control who is allowed into specified physical spaces. PIAM is an intricate framework that integrates several technologies, processes, and regulations to monitor and govern access to vital locations, regardless of the seemingly simple notion. This in-depth manual will explore the definition, operation, and significance of PIAM as a modern corporate investment.
What is PIAM?
Physical Identity and Access Management, or in short referred to as "PIAM," is a framework for controlling and managing physical space access within an organization. It encompasses an integrated strategy by connecting with several systems, including HR, Identity Access Management (IAM), and Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) like Lenel, CCure, AMAG, and Genetec. This is in contrast to typical access control systems, which may only manage to open certain doors.
At its core, the goal is to make sure that the appropriate individuals are granted access to the appropriate locations at the appropriate times and that this access is regularly monitored and audited to uphold the highest standard of security and compliance.
Operation of PIAM: The Hire-to-Retire Journey
One of the critical functions of PIAM is managing the entire lifecycle of an employee's access, from the moment they are hired until they retire or leave the organization. We refer to it as the "hire-to-retire journey."
Onboarding & Orientation: When an employee is hired, PIAM automatically generates access permissions based on their role and associated department. This process is integrated with the company's HR system, ensuring that access controls are set up as soon as the employee's details are entered into the system.
Access Requests and Approvals: As staff members progress throughout the company, they can require access to various locations. Changes to access privileges can only be approved by authorized staff, thanks to the approval engine used by PIAM to handle these requests.
Real-Time Monitoring: One of the integral parts of this is to keep track of who is accessing what locations at all times. It is essential to have continuous surveillance in order to identify and address any attempts at unauthorized access or security breaches.
Offboarding: An intelligent management system that automatically removes an employee's access to all physical areas when they quit. This is a crucial step in keeping former workers from gaining unauthorized access.
Integration with Physical Access Control Systems (PACS)
The smooth integration of contemporary PIAM systems with different PACS, such as Soloinsight's CloudGate, is one of their most notable characteristics. These systems, which regulate everything from door locks to surveillance systems, are the cornerstone of physical security in many enterprises, like Lenel, CCure, AMAG, and Genetec.
Over these PACS, PIAM serves as the governance layer, ensuring that access control policies are implemented uniformly throughout all systems. Like, it would automatically update an employee's access permissions across all connected PACS if their role changed in the HR system, saving hours of human updates and error-prone work.
The Role of Mobile Credentials in PIAM
Using mobile credentials rather than conventional plastic cards has become increasingly common in recent years. The growing popularity of mobile wallet apps like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet—which now support employee badges and corporate credentials—has been the driving force behind this shift.
Advantages of having Mobile Credentials
Convenience: Employees can use their smartphones to access secured areas, reducing the need for carrying physical cards.
Security: Mobile credentials are generally more secure than plastic cards, as they can be protected with biometric authentication.
Integration: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other mobile-based security solutions can be combined with mobile credentials.
Challenges and Privacy Concerns
Adoption Rates: Despite their impressive advantages, the adoption of mobile credentials has been slow in some industries due to concerns about privacy and the potential for device theft.
Privacy Issues: Another worry is the quantity of private information that might be revealed in the event that a mobile device is compromised.
One-Stop Solution:
To address this challenge and privacy concern, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet have implemented robust security measures that resolve this issue in the most profound manner. Apple Wallet requires biometric authentication, such as Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that only the device owner can unlock doors with their device. Additionally, digital keys are securely stored in the device's Secure Enclave, and the "Find My" app allows users to remotely disable or wipe the device if it's lost or stolen, preventing unauthorized access. Likewise, Google Wallet employs biometric or PIN authentication and offers a remote lock and wipe feature through "Find My Device." Digital keys in Google Wallet are also encrypted to further protect against unauthorized access.
Moreover, Soloinsight's CloudGate platform provides a parallel solution by integrating multi-factor authentication, real-time access monitoring, and remote credential management to safeguard against the misuse of stolen devices. CloudGate also employs geofencing and time-based access controls to restrict where and when a mobile credential can be used, further mitigating risks associated with device theft. These combined security measures ensure that even if a device is compromised, unauthorized access to secure areas shall be effectively prevented.
CloudGate's Alternative Options: Soloinsight's CloudGate offers enterprises to select the best option for their requirements by supporting both mobile credentials and plastic cards. If the customer is technology-driven, then nothing works better than Digital Wallet technology, but if the customer is more traditional and would like the old-fashioned plastic cards then Soloinsight makes sure to provide equivalent security options within that choice by making sure that sensitive data is secured and that access to it is strictly regulated, the platform also allays privacy worries.
Legacy PIAM vs. Modern PIAM Platforms
The landscape of this solution changes in tandem with technological advancements. PIAM platforms that are outdated frequently have many drawbacks, such as:
Lack of Integration: Inefficiencies and silos are sometimes caused by older systems' inability to integrate with more recent HR and IAM systems.
Manual Processes: A lot of these older systems mainly rely on labor-intensive, error-prone, long hours of manual procedures that can take quite some time to complete.
Limited Scalability: As businesses expand, older systems frequently are unable to keep up with the demand, which causes bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities.
In contrast, modern PIAM platforms like CloudGate are designed to overcome these challenges. They offer:
Seamless Integration: CloudGate guarantees a unified approach to access management by smoothly integrating with hundreds of different systems, such as HR, IAM, and PACS.
Automation: CloudGate automates the entire hire-to-retire process, from onboarding to offboarding, lowering the possibility of human error and expediting procedures.
Scalability: CloudGate is built on a cloud-based architecture, allowing it to scale effortlessly as your organization grows, both in size and in technology.
The Future of PIAM: Beyond Traditional Access Control
PIAM's role will go beyond traditional access control as organizations continue to digitize and transition to a more automated and connected future.
Here are some trends and technologies that are set to shape the future:
AI and Machine Learning
These technologies will play a critical role in enhancing these systems, enabling predictive analytics that can identify potential security risks before they even happen or begin to materialize.
Integration with IoT
As more physical devices become connected to the internet, these A-grade systems will need to manage not only who has access to certain spaces but also which devices are allowed to interact with the network.
Increased Focus on Privacy
As biometrics and mobile credentials become increasingly common, it will be more crucial than ever to protect personal data privacy and security. PIAM here would be a one-stop solution to all such problems.
Compliance and ESG Initiatives
By limiting access to vulnerable locations to only authorized individuals, this system will be utilized more frequently to support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, lowering the likelihood of environmental or social breaches.
In Conclusion
Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) enshrines in itself more than merely limiting door access. It's an all-encompassing, integrated strategy for managing physical security that affects every department inside a company, including compliance, IT, and HR. Businesses may more efficiently safeguard their premises, save expenses, streamline operations, and ensure regulatory compliance by utilizing cutting-edge technologies like Soloinsight's CloudGate.
PIAM will soon be at the vanguard of this evolving security landscape, fostering innovation and giving businesses the tools they need to safeguard their most valuable assets while Soloinsight's CloudGate would be its front-runner, holding the torch and lighting the way for many to come under its vast umbrella.
Let's Connect!
Are you prepared to advance the security of your company? Examine how CloudGate from Soloinsight can change the way you think about Physical Identity and Access Management. To arrange a demo and observe CloudGate in operation, contact us right now.
