What is Identity-Based Access Control (IBAC)?
Identity-Based Access Control (IBAC) is a security model that grants or denies user access to systems and resources based on the user’s verified identity. Unlike Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which assigns permissions based on group roles, IBAC evaluates access rights on a per-identity basis. Access policies are directly linked to individual user accounts, allowing granular control over who can access specific systems, applications, or data. IBAC systems typically integrate with identity providers and authentication methods to ensure that only validated identities can interact with protected assets.
Why is Identity-Based Access Control Important?
IBAC provides organizations with more granular and accountable access control than traditional role- or group-based models. By defining permissions at the identity level, security teams can tailor access policies to reflect the exact responsibilities and trust level of each user, especially useful in environments with a mix of employees, contractors, and third-party vendors.
In critical infrastructure, where unauthorized access can lead to service disruption or safety risks, IBAC strengthens control by tying access to individual accountability. It also helps meet compliance requirements from frameworks like NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and TSA SD02E, which call for fine-grained access enforcement, user verification, and session logging.
IBAC supports zero trust principles by ensuring access decisions are identity-driven rather than based on static roles or network location. This reduces the risk of overprivileged access, lateral movement, and insider threats, while enabling secure, scalable access for distributed and dynamic workforces.
How Does Xona Help with Identity-Based Access Control?
Xona enforces Identity-Based Access Control by integrating with enterprise identity providers, such as Active Directory, SAML, and LDAP, to authenticate users and apply identity-linked policies for remote access. Each user’s identity is verified through multi-factor authentication and session attributes, and access is granted only to authorized systems or functions based on individual permissions.
Xona goes beyond basic IBAC by layering on time-based access controls (TBAC), credential injection, and real-time session monitoring, enabling precise control over not just who can access a system, but when, how, and under what conditions. All access events are recorded with full session logs and video, enabling audit-ready visibility and traceability for every identity.
Because Xona operates as a disconnected access layer, user identities are authenticated and governed without exposing OT systems to direct endpoint connections. This allows organizations to extend modern identity-based access control to legacy systems, low-bandwidth environments, and high-security OT networks; all while reducing operational risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Identity-Based Access Control differ from Role-Based Access Control?
IBAC assigns permissions to individual users based on their verified identity, while RBAC grants access based on predefined roles or groups that users belong to.
What are the advantages of using identity-specific access policies?
Identity-specific policies provide more precise control, allowing organizations to tailor access permissions to the exact responsibilities and trust level of each user, improving security and accountability.
Is IBAC scalable for environments with many users and contractors?
Why is IBAC important in critical infrastructure sectors?
Do compliance frameworks require identity-based access enforcement?
How does Xona implement Identity-Based Access Control?
Xona integrates with identity providers to authenticate users and applies fine-grained, identity-specific access policies within a secure, disconnected architecture that protects OT systems from direct endpoint exposure.
