Access control is a critical pillar of cybersecurity, protecting organisations from unauthorised entries, data breaches, and insider threats. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, businesses must adopt advanced access control solutions that provide scalability, compliance, and seamless integration with existing cybersecurity infrastructure. Choosing the right solution requires a strategic approach, evaluating cloud-based access control, biometric authentication, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure both security and usability. Here’s how delegates are the Cyber Secure Forum are selecting the best access control system for their organisations…
1. Cloud-Based Access Control: Enhancing Flexibility and Remote Management
Traditional on-premise access control solutions are increasingly being replaced by cloud-based systems, offering greater flexibility, real-time management, and remote access capabilities. Key benefits include:
✔ Centralised control – IT teams can manage user permissions, monitor access logs, and revoke credentials remotely.
✔ Scalability – Cloud-based systems can adapt to business growth, easily onboarding new users and integrating with emerging technologies.
✔ AI-powered threat detection – Some solutions use machine learning to identify suspicious access patterns, proactively preventing breaches.
When selecting a cloud-based access control provider, organisations should prioritise data encryption, zero-trust frameworks, and vendor compliance with UK data protection laws (GDPR, NCSC guidelines).
2. Biometric Authentication: Strengthening Security with Physical Identifiers
Passwords and PINs remain vulnerable to phishing, credential theft, and brute-force attacks. Biometric authentication—such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, and behavioural biometrics—offers a more secure alternative by tying access to a unique physical trait.
Benefits of biometric access control:
✔ Eliminates password vulnerabilities – Users no longer need to rely on weak or reused passwords.
✔ Faster authentication – Reduces friction in high-security environments, such as healthcare, finance, and government sectors.
✔ Dual-layer security – Can be combined with MFA for added protection.
However, cybersecurity leaders must ensure that biometric data is stored securely with encryption, as breaches involving biometric credentials pose significant privacy risks.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A Must-Have for Layered Security
MFA has become a standard best practice for access control, combining two or more authentication factors:
- Something you know (password, PIN)
- Something you have (smartphone, security token)
- Something you are (biometrics)
MFA helps reduce the risk of compromised accounts, especially with the rise of AI-driven phishing attacks. When choosing an MFA solution, organisations should look for:
✔ Adaptive authentication, which adjusts security requirements based on user behaviour and risk level.
✔ Seamless integration with identity and access management (IAM) solutions.
✔ Compliance with cybersecurity regulations, such as Cyber Essentials and GDPR.
4. Integration and Compliance Considerations
Access control should not operate in isolation. It must integrate with:
✔ Identity and access management (IAM) systems for a unified security approach.
✔ Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to mitigate insider threats.
✔ Zero-trust security models, ensuring continuous verification of users and devices.
Additionally, organisations must ensure compliance with UK cybersecurity laws and industry-specific regulations, ensuring that access control solutions align with legal requirements.
Choosing the right access control solution in 2025 requires a careful balance of security, usability, and integration. By adopting cloud-based access management, biometric authentication, and robust MFA strategies, UK cybersecurity leaders can strengthen their defences, reduce breach risks, and enhance regulatory compliance.
Are you searching for Access Control solutions for your organisation? The Cyber Secure Forum can help!
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
