Changing access controls can have some undesirable effects. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider changes before making them and provide mechanisms to reverse changes if they have unexpected consequences.

QUESTION

Project Part 2: Access Controls Procedure Guide

Scenario

Changing access controls can have some undesirable effects. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider changes before making them and provide mechanisms to reverse changes if they have unexpected consequences.

Always Fresh management has asked you to develop procedures for changing any access controls. The purpose of these procedures is to ensure that staff:

▪ Understand and document the purpose of each access control change request
▪ Know what access controls were in place before any changes
▪ Get an approval of change by management
▪ Understand the scope of the change, both with respect to users, computers, and objects ▪ Have evaluated the expected impact of the change

▪ Know how to evaluate whether the change meets the goals

▪ Understand how to undo any change if necessary

Tasks

Create a guide that security personnel will use that includes procedures for implementing an access control change.

The procedure guide must contain the steps Always Fresh security personnel should take to evaluate and implement an access control change. You can assume any change requests you receive are approved. Ensure that your procedures include the following:

▪ Status or setting prior to any change

▪ Reason for the change
▪ Change to implement
▪ Scope of the change

▪ Impact of the change
▪ Status or setting after the change

▪ Process to evaluate the change

Required Resources

▪ Internet access

▪ Course textbook

Submission Requirements

▪ Format: Microsoft Word (or compatible)
▪ Font: Arial, size 12, double-space
▪ APA Citation Style

Self-Assessment Checklist

• I created a procedure guide that provides clear instructions that anyone with a basic technical knowledge base can follow.
• I created a well-developed and formatted procedure guide with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• I followed the submission guidelines.

ANSWER

Access Controls Procedure Guide: Implementing Changes with Care and Effectiveness

Introduction

Changing access controls in an organization is a critical task that requires careful consideration to minimize potential undesirable effects. Always Fresh management recognizes the importance of developing procedures to guide the implementation of access control changes. This procedure guide aims to ensure that staff members understand the purpose of each change request, assess the existing access controls, obtain management approval, evaluate the scope and impact of the change, and possess the ability to revert the change if necessary. By following these procedures, security personnel at Always Fresh can effectively and securely manage access control changes. This guide outlines the step-by-step process that should be followed to evaluate and implement access control changes.

Assessing the Current Status or Setting

Before initiating any access control change, security personnel must thoroughly understand the current access control settings. This includes identifying the existing access permissions, user roles, group memberships, and any relevant security policies in place.

Determining the Reason for the Change

Each access control change request should have a clear and documented purpose. Security personnel must identify the specific reasons or requirements driving the need for change, such as organizational policy updates, personnel changes, or system enhancements.

Defining the Change to Implement

Based on the identified reasons for change, security personnel should clearly outline the specific modifications or adjustments to be made to the access controls. This includes specifying the changes to user permissions, group memberships, role assignments, or any other relevant access control components.

Understanding the Scope of the Change

A crucial aspect of access control changes is understanding their scope. Security personnel should evaluate the impact of the change across various dimensions, including users, computers, and objects. This assessment helps ensure that the change is applied consistently and does not inadvertently affect unrelated systems or compromise security.

Evaluating the Impact of the Change

Before implementing the access control change, security personnel must carefully evaluate its potential impact on system functionality, user workflows, and overall security posture. This evaluation includes conducting thorough risk assessments and considering any potential conflicts or unintended consequences that may arise from the change.

Implementing the Change

Once the change has been assessed and approved, security personnel can proceed with the implementation. This involves making the necessary adjustments to access controls according to the defined change and ensuring that all relevant systems and configurations are updated accordingly.

Verifying the Status or Setting after the Change

After implementing the access control change, it is essential to verify the new status or setting. Security personnel should validate that the desired modifications have been successfully applied and that the intended access restrictions or permissions are in effect.

Process to Evaluate the Change

Following the implementation, security personnel should establish a process to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the change over time. This involves monitoring user feedback, system performance, and security metrics to ensure that the change meets its intended goals. If any issues or concerns arise, appropriate corrective actions should be taken promptly.

Conclusion

Implementing access control changes requires a well-defined and structured approach to minimize risks and ensure the integrity of an organization’s security posture. This procedure guide provides a comprehensive framework for Always Fresh security personnel to follow when evaluating and implementing access control changes. By adhering to these procedures, the organization can effectively manage access controls while maintaining a high level of security and adaptability to evolving needs. Continuous evaluation and monitoring of changes will enable security personnel to refine their processes and optimize access control management over time.