What access controls should be applied to archives?

Access control best practices for archives

Archives often contain sensitive, regulated, or legally important data, so strong, auditable access controls are essential. Implement role-based policies and the principle of least privilege.

Recommended controls:

• Role-based access control (RBAC) to limit permissions by job function.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative or high-risk access.
• Fine-grained permissions on objects or collections.
• Just-in-time access approvals for exceptional retrievals.
• Encryption for stored data and secure key management.

Combine controls with logging and periodic access reviews. Automate deprovisioning when employees leave and enforce separation of duties for sensitive operations like export or deletion. A layered approach reduces insider risk and supports compliance audits.