1. Planning.

• Assessment
  Start by identifying which individuals require access, the resources they need, and the reasons for access. Review and document existing access privileges to see if they can be lessened or terminated completely. For better transparency, consider using an entitlement discovery tool.
• Policy creation
  Establish clear policies for the granting and withdrawing of access. Guidelines should include who can request access, under which conditions, and for how long. For privileged roles in particular, specify time-bound limitations.
• Authentication source
  Link your JIT access with an Identity Provider (e.g., Okta, Google Workspace, Azure AD, OneLogin). This will serve as the definitive verification source for identities. Distinguishing individual identities instead of shared accounts will provide stronger control over authorization and increase audit accuracy.

2. Execution.

• Self-serve access requests
  Make it easier for users by letting them request access through the system rather than through other individuals. Encourage adoption by integrating systems with Instant Messaging platforms like Slack or MS Teams. Access requests should indicate who is asking, the requisite service/resource/role, duration, and reason for access.

• Approval procedure
  JIT access allows institutions to assign approval responsibilities to individuals with a deeper understanding of the business context. Typically, resource owners and business unit managers have a better understanding than IT helpdesks. For quicker responses, use messaging platforms that provide all necessary details for an informed decision.

• Workflow conditional approvals
  Build preset policies into approval workflows that define access permissions. Include them into workflows that dictate access permission requirements and under which conditions. One effective approach is utilizing if-then conditions. If the identity group “X” requests access to “Y”, then seek approval from “Z” and notify “M”.

• Systems integration
  Integrate JIT access with other IT and security systems for more versatility; Link with IT ticketing systems for automated access based on ticket status. Sync with data classification systems to modify policies dependent on data sensitivity. Ideally, tagging resources and grouping them together can optimize this process. Partner with on-call schedule systems for automated approvals in emergencies. Utilize training systems to award access upon training completion.
• Automated provisioning and deprovisioning
  Gain a firm understanding of CodeSignal to effectively grant and revoke detailed access within the service automatically. This is essential for JIT Access as it minimizes the dependence on others to make time. It enables automatic deprovisioning of access, a vital aspect of JIT access and the principle of least privilege access (POLP). Ideally, you should manage all permissions centrally without the need to build or manage separate environments for each application in your institution.
• Access methods
  For CodeSignal JIT access, APIs are favoured because of their adaptability and real-time capabilities. However, a mix may be necessary, like using SAML for authentication, SCIM for user provisioning, and APIs for precise access control decisions.

3. Maintenance.

• Regular reviews
  Regularly inspect access logs to verify that JIT access is functioning as expected. Watch for any unusual patterns or actions, either directly or by channeling logs into your SIEM. You can automate user access review processes to expedite evidence gathering, allocate reviewers, and ensure compliance with industry standards or regulations.
• User training
  Train users, particularly privileged ones on the importance of least privilege, JIT Access, and its functions. Make sure that users are aware of the process for access requests.
• Feedback system
  Continually review your JIT access procedures. Solicit feedback from users and IT personnel to determine areas of improvement.

Adhering to this structured approach will efficiently implement and maintain a robust Just-in-Time Access system for CodeSignal.