FIELD NOTES / COOP SECURITY

The Pecking Order Problem in Access Control

Why role-based access gets messy, and how flocks help.

October 14, 20257 min readBy Bartholomew Brooder
In shortRoles multiply / Flocks beat individuals / Time-box privileges / Audit regularly.

1. Roles multiply

Every exception becomes a new role, until you have 400 and nobody knows what any of them do.

2. Flocks beat individuals

Grant access to a group, not a person. People move around. Groups remain.

3. Time-box privileges

Give the rooster role for four hours when needed, and take it away afterward. Standing admin access is a risk.

4. Audit regularly

Look at who can do what every quarter. You will find surprises, usually in the form of interns.

Written by Bartholomew Brooder, Chief Financial Hen. Disagree? Tell us. We read every message, usually before the second coffee.