A policy engine is a crucial software component that enables an organization to establish, monitor, and enforce rules regarding network resource access and data control. By integrating network analytics and programmed rules, the policy engine grants role-based permissions, taking into account various factors such as device type, workload label, or hierarchy of need. This ensures that individuals within a user group can access specific network resources while being denied access to unauthorized areas.
The capabilities of a policy engine extend to controlling different types of access behavior. For instance, it can allow or exclude a range of IP addresses, specify specific ports and protocols for network traffic, and apply rules specific to inbound or outbound traffic. The specific criteria used by the policy engine to evaluate access requests depend on how the network policies have been defined. These policies are rooted in the organization’s unique circumstances, constraints, and resource types. In some cases, the policy engine may also consider other factors such as threat intelligence or historical data analytics.
To provide a coordinated approach to protecting network resources, a policy engine is implemented alongside other components. The exact topology of this setup depends on the type of network and its design. However, a policy-based network generally incorporates additional basic components along with the policy engine.
One such component is the mechanism at each access point that enforces the policies. The network may also include local storage for policy-related data or provide access to external data sources that support the policy engine. Some systems incorporate a trust engine or similar technology for evaluating access risks. The overall topology of a policy engine network system is depicted in an example diagram.
The policy enforcement process takes place when an external system attempts to access a policy-protected network. For instance, when an employee on a laptop seeks to access a resource on the company’s network, the enforcer, which could be a firewall or a load balancer, serves as the point of entry. This enforcer makes access decisions based on inputs received from the policy engine.
At the core of this network topology lies the policy engine, which determines whether access to the network should be granted or denied. When a request for access arrives from a network entry point, the policy engine compares it to the defined network policies. Additionally, it may utilize other sources of data, such as a trust engine or a security information and event management (SIEM) system, to make informed access decisions.
During the evaluation of an access request, the policy engine considers several factors, including the user’s identity, user device, device’s IP address, network protocol, and the target resource. Based on this information, the policy engine decides whether to grant access to the user for the specific resource.
Furthermore, a policy engine often incorporates an administrative component that directly communicates with the policy enforcer. This component works in tandem with the policy engine to execute access decisions and manage session information. Depending on the specific implementation, the policy administrator may act as a separate component or interface between the policy engine and the policy enforcer.
To make access decisions, the policy engine relies on one or more data sources, which can be locally or remotely stored. These resources include policies, system logs, SIEM data, user and device inventory data, historical data for risk analysis, threat intelligence data, and more. Some networks may also include a trust engine that evaluates risks by analyzing available data using AI and other advanced analytics technologies. This trust engine must have access to the necessary data sources and the ability to communicate directly with the policy engine.
In conclusion, a policy engine is a critical component that organizations utilize to establish and enforce rules regarding network resource access and data control. By integrating network analytics and programmed rules, the policy engine ensures that access to network resources is granted based on role-based permissions and other relevant factors. This coordinated approach to network protection provides organizations with greater control and security over their network resources.