1. Planning.

• Assessment
  Start by determining who needs access, the resources they require, and the reason. Evaluate and document existing access entitlements and see if they can be minimized or removed. You might want to use an entitlement discovery tool for better visibility.
• Policy creation
  Create clear policies for both granting and revoking access. Set guidelines for who can request access, under what circumstances, and for how long. For privileged roles, it's a good idea to establish time-limited parameters.
• Source of truth
  Synchronize your JIT access system with an Identity Provider (e.g., Google Workspace, Okta, Microsoft AD, OneLogin). This will work as the ultimate source for identities. Preferring individual identities over shared accounts helps achieve better control of authorization and enhances the accuracy of audits.

2. Execution.

• Self-service access requests
  Streamline the process by allowing users to request access via the system rather than through people. Increase adoption rates by integrating with IM platforms like Slack or MS Teams. Ensure requests detail who is asking, the service/resource/role required, duration, and reason.

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• Approval process
  JIT access can allow for a more decentralized approval system, delegating permissions to resource owners or business unit managers who may have a better understanding of requirements than IT helpdesks. Use messaging platforms for rapid communication, providing approvers with all necessary information to make a well-informed decision.

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• Conditional approval workflows
  Embed your established policies into workflows which will dictate access permissions. They should describe who can have access to what, and under what conditions. One efficient way to achieve this is by assigning if-then conditions. IF identity group “X” requests access to “Y”, then request approval from “Z” and notify “M”.

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• Integrations
  Integrate JITA with other IT and security procedures for more flexibility; consider connecting with IT ticketing systems to automate access based on ticket status or with data classification systems to adjust policies according to data sensitivity. You should also have the capability to categorize resources and group them together for better efficiency. Collaborate with on-call schedule software for automated approvals in emergency situations. Utilize training systems to grant access based on specific training completion.
• Automated provisioning and deprovisioning
  Gain a sound understanding of GCP to effectively grant and revoke access automatically at a granular level within the service. This is crucial for JIT Access because it cuts the reliance on human intervention. It allows for automated deprovisioning of access, which is a main principle of JIT access and the principle of least privilege access (POLP). Ideally, all permissions should be managed in one place, removing the need to build or manage an environment for every application in your organization.
• Access methods
  APIs are the preferred method for GCP JIT Access because of their flexibility and real-time capabilities. However, you may need a combination of methods. For example, using SAML for authentication, SCIM for user provisioning, and APIs for specific access control decisions.

3. Maintenance.

• Regular audits
  Regularly review access logs to ensure JIT access is functioning as expected. Look out for any unusual patterns or behaviors either directly or by analyzing the logs in your SIEM. Automate the user access review process to speed up evidence gathering, delegate reviewers, and ensure your system meets relevant industry regulations or standards.
• User training
  Regularly educate users, particularly those with privileged access, about the importance of least privilege, JIT access and its workings. Ensure that users understand how to request access when they need it.
• Feedback loop
  Consistently review your JIT access system. Gather feedback from users and IT staff to identify potential improvements.

Following this structured guideline will enable you to effectively implement a robust Just-in-Time Access system for GCP.