1. Planning.

• Assessment
  Start by determining who needs access, the resources they require, and the purpose. Evaluate existing access rights and decide if they can be reduced or removed. Consider the use of an entitlement discovery tool for better clarity.
• Policy creation
  Establish clear policies for both granting and revoking access. Include stipulations about who can request access, under what circumstances, and for how long. Especially for privileged roles, set time-bound limits.
• Source of truth
  Synchronize your JIT access system with an Identity Provider (e.g., Okta, Google Workspace, Azure AD, OneLogin). This will serve as the ultimate source for identities. Assigning individual identities over shared accounts allows for better authorization management and audit precision.

2. Execution.

• Self-serve access requests
  Simplify the protocol by having users request access through the system, not through personnel. Increase adoption rates by integrating with IM platforms like Slack or MS Teams. Ensure requests detail who is asking for access, the necessary service/resource/role, duration, and reason.

• Approval process
  JIT access offers organizations the chance to delegate approvals to individuals with business context. Resource owners and business unit managers often have better insight than IT helpdesks. Expedite responses by using messaging platforms, providing approvers with all necessary information to make an informed choice.

• Conditional approval workflows
  Implement your predefined policies into workflows that establish access permissions. Present them within workflows that assert who can access what, and under which conditions. One effective approach is by assigning if-then conditions. IF identity group “X” seeks access to “Y”, request approval from “Z” and inform “M”.

• Integrations
  Think about integrating JITA with other IT and security systems for more versatility; Combine with IT ticketing systems for automated access based on ticket status. Bind with data classification systems to modify policies depending on data sensitivity. Ideally, the ability to categorize resources and bundle them together can simplify this process. Collaborate with on-call schedule software for automated approvals during emergencies. Use training systems to grant access depending on training completion.
• Automated provisioning and deprovisioning
  Understand Mavenlink efficiently to grant and revoke access automatically within the service. This consolidates JIT Access as it reduces the need to wait for personnel to make time. It allows for automated revocation of access, central to JIT access and least privilege access (POLP). The goal is to control all permissions from one location, preventing the necessity to build or manage a platform for every application in your organization.
• Access methods
  ‍For Mavenlink JIT Access, APIs are beneficial due to their adaptability and real-time capabilities. However, a blend may be needed. For instance, using SAML for authentication, SCIM for user provisioning, and APIs for accurate access control decisions.

3. Maintenance.

• Regular audits
  Consistently check access logs to confirm that JIT access is functioning as expected. Look for any unusual patterns or behaviors either directly or by analyzing the logs through your SIEM. The user access review process can be automated to speed up evidence gathering, delegate reviewers, and ensure compliance with pertinent industry regulations or standards.
• User training
  Teach users, particularly privileged users, about the significance of least privilege, JIT Access and how it functions. Make sure users know how to request access when necessary.
• Feedback loop
  Keep a regular review of your JIT access procedures. Obtain feedback from users and IT personnel to grasp where enhancements can be made.

By adopting this structured method, you'll effectively implement a comprehensive Just-in-Time Access system for Mavenlink.