Access management is a foundational cybersecurity framework that establishes and enforces policies for controlling and monitoring who can access an organization's digital resources, including systems, applications, data, and networks. As a critical security control, it prevents unauthorized access and safeguards sensitive information against potential breaches. This discipline ensures that individuals and entities can only interact with assets for which they have explicit authorization, based on their verified identity and assigned privileges, thereby significantly reducing the attack surface.

The process encompasses several key components: robust authentication protocols to confirm a user's identity, precise authorization mechanisms to grant appropriate levels of access, and continuous management of access rights throughout the user lifecycle—from provisioning new accounts to deactivating access upon role changes or departure. By systematically managing and monitoring these permissions, organizations enhance their overall security posture, maintain data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and ensure compliance with regulatory mandates.