Logical access security refers to the technical controls that regulate who can access information systems, applications, and data. These controls include authentication mechanisms such as passwords, multi-factor authentication, biometric verification, and certificate-based authentication, as well as authorisation controls that determine what authenticated users are permitted to do within a system.
A robust logical access security framework is foundational to compliance with virtually every information security standard, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and NIS2. It involves implementing strong password policies, enforcing session timeouts, maintaining access control lists, and conducting regular access reviews to ensure that permissions remain aligned with the principle of least privilege.