Asset access control in a cloud computing environment has several key characteristics:
Granular Permissions: Access can be finely tuned to specific resources, actions, and users. For example, a user may only have read access to a storage bucket while another has full control. Tencent Cloud's CAM (Cloud Access Management) allows precise permission management at the resource level.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Users are assigned roles with predefined permissions, simplifying management. For instance, a "developer" role might access development environments, while an "auditor" role only views logs. Tencent Cloud CAM supports RBAC for efficient permission allocation.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhances security by requiring additional verification steps, such as a code from a mobile device. Tencent Cloud enforces MFA for critical operations like account logins or privilege changes.
Temporary Access Credentials: Provides time-limited access tokens instead of permanent credentials, reducing risks. Tencent Cloud's STS (Security Token Service) issues temporary keys for secure, short-term access.
Audit and Monitoring: Tracks access activities for compliance and security analysis. Tencent Cloud CLS (Cloud Log Service) logs all access events, enabling real-time monitoring and forensic investigations.
Policy-Based Enforcement: Access rules are defined through policies, ensuring consistency. For example, a policy may block data exfiltration attempts by restricting cross-region transfers. Tencent Cloud CAM uses JSON-based policies for flexible rule definitions.
Least Privilege Principle: Users and services are granted only the minimum permissions required. This minimizes attack surfaces. Tencent Cloud recommends least privilege configurations via CAM policy best practices.
Example: A company using Tencent Cloud may restrict database access to a specific IP range, require MFA for admin logins, and audit all SQL queries using CLS.