1. Planning.

• Assessment
  Start by identifying who needs access, what resources they need, and why. Record existing privileges and determine if they can be reduced or removed. An entitlement discovery tool might aid in gaining a better view of the situation.
• Policy creation
  Establish solid policies for issuing and rescinding access. Determine guidelines regarding who can request access, under what conditions and for what duration. Particularly for high-privilege roles, set time-specific limits.
• Source of truth
  Coordinate your JIT access system with an Identity Provider (such as Okta, Google Workspace, Azure AD, OneLogin). This will serve as the definitive source for identities. Prioritize individual identities over shared accounts for improved access control and more accurate audits.

2. Execution.

• User-driven access requests
  Simplify the process by allowing users to request access directly through the system instead of through other users. Boost adoption rates by integrating with instant messaging platforms like Slack or MS Teams. Make sure requests include all necessary information, such as the requester's identity, the needed service/resource/role, length of access, and reason for access.

• Approval process
  JIT access gives companies the chance to allow individuals with business context to approve or deny access. Resource owners and business managers often have more contextual insight than IT helpdesk staff. Use instant messaging platforms for quicker replies, providing approvers with the necessary information to make educated decisions.

• Conditional approval workflows
  Incorporate your set policies into workflows dictating access privileges. For effectiveness, use if-then conditions. "IF identity group “X” demands access to “Y”, obtain approval from “Z” and inform “M”.

• Integrations
  Consider linking your JITA system with other IT and security systems for more flexibility. Integrate with IT ticket systems to automate access based on ticket status. Collaborate with data classification systems to modify policies according to data sensitivity. Work with on-call schedule software to automate approvals in emergency situations. Use training systems to grant access based on training completion.
• Automated provisioning and deprovisioning
  Fully understand Ironclad to effectively manage access automatically within the service. This is crucial for JIT Access because it lessens the need for human intervention. The ability to auto-deprovision access is at the essence of JIT Access and the principle of least privilege (PoLP). Ideally, you should be able to manage all permissions in one place rather than building or running an environment for each application in your company. For Ironclad JIT Access, APIs are beneficial due to their adaptability and real-time capabilities. Nonetheless, a mix may be necessary — like employing SAML for authentication, SCIM for user provisioning, and APIs for detailed access control decisions.

3. Maintenance.

• Regular audits
  Regularly inspect access logs to confirm that JIT access is functioning as intended. Monitor for abnormal patterns or behaviors either directly or by using your SIEM. Automate the user access review process to hasten evidence gathering, delegate reviewers, and confirm compliance with relevant industry regulations or norms.
• User training
  Ensure users, especially those with high-level privileges, understand the principle of least privilege, JIT Access, and how to request access when needed.
• Feedback loop
  Continually review your JIT access procedures, soliciting input from users and IT personnel to identify any necessary improvements.

By following this systematic approach, you will effectively set up a robust Just-in-Time Access system for Ironclad.