What is Time-Based Access Control (TBAC)?
Time-Based Access Control (TBAC) is a security mechanism that restricts access to systems, applications, or data based on predefined time conditions. This includes granting access for specific time windows (e.g., during business hours or maintenance windows), or for a limited duration (e.g., 30 minutes). TBAC enforces the principle of least privilege by ensuring that users can only access critical systems when necessary, reducing the risk of unauthorized activity or persistent access.
Why is Time-Based Access Control (TBAC) Important?
In environments where system uptime, safety, and cyber resilience are paramount, such as critical infrastructure, permanent or overly broad access creates significant risk. Time-based access significantly reduces the attack surface by eliminating persistent credentials and limiting exposure to sensitive systems.
TBAC is especially important for managing third-party vendor access, privileged user activity, and emergency response scenarios. By automatically revoking access outside of authorized timeframes, TBAC helps organizations prevent insider threats, detect anomalies, and reduce lateral movement opportunities from compromised accounts.
Compliance frameworks such as NERC CIP, NIS2, IEC 62443, TSA SD02E, and OTCC-1:2022 emphasize time-bound controls to ensure that access is not only limited in scope but also in duration. TBAC supports these mandates by providing temporal control over when access is granted, who approved it, and how long it was active, all of which support secure, auditable operations.
How Does Xona Help with Time-Based Access Control (TBAC)?
Xona provides native, fine-grained time-based access controls designed specifically for critical infrastructure and OT environments. Administrators can configure access windows, set expiration times, and enforce just-in-time (JIT) access for both internal users and third-party vendors, all without changing the underlying systems.
Access policies in the Xona Platform can be scheduled by role, identity, or asset, ensuring that access is only granted during approved timeframes and automatically revoked when no longer needed. This helps eliminate “always-on” accounts, minimize the risk of dormant credentials, and enforce accountability in shared or collaborative sessions.
Combined with Xona’s credential injection, real-time session monitoring, and session recording, TBAC becomes a critical pillar of operational security, ensuring that users not only have the right access, but also at the right time and under the right conditions. Whether performing routine maintenance or responding to an outage, access is controlled, compliant, and temporary by design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of Time-Based Access Control (TBAC)?
TBAC limits user access to systems or applications to predefined time periods, reducing the risk of unauthorized or persistent access to sensitive environments.
How does TBAC enhance security in operational technology (OT) environments?
TBAC reduces exposure by ensuring access is granted only when needed like during maintenance windows, thereby eliminating standing privileges and mitigating lateral movement risks.
Can TBAC be used to manage third-party or vendor access?
Which compliance standards require or recommend time-bound access controls?
How does Xona implement Time-Based Access Control?
Xona enables administrators to configure scheduled access windows, enforce just-in-time access workflows, and automatically revoke permissions outside of authorized timeframes, all without modifying target systems or rearchitecting existing networks.
