When it comes to protecting your home or business as well as its occupants, access control is one of the best ways to achieve safety, security, and peace of mind. However, there are several factors to consider when you are choosing the best access control system for your dwelling or facility.
The first step in choosing is to understand and identify the different types of access control systems. First, access control is used to identify, authenticate, and then give access to individual(s) in order to perform a specific job or task. The three variations of access control are; Discretionary Access Control (DAC), Mandatory Access Control (MAC), and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
Discretionary Access Control is the least restrictive of these systems as it allows the business owner to decide who can access a specific location physically or digitally. One drawback to DAC would be that it allows individuals complete control over objects they “own” including the programs associated with them. Since the end-user is in control of security settings, this could potentially allow a security breach or the inadvertent execution of malware.
Mandatory Access Control is more common in organizations such as military institutions where there is an increased emphasis on confidentiality and classified data. In a MAC system, only the owner and custodian manage the access controls. All end users are classified and provided with labels that permit them access through established security guidelines. No one individual has a say in who has access.
Role-(or Rule) Based Access Control is the most highly sought after system in households and businesses. In these types of systems, a system administrator assigns access based on the subject’s role or job within the household or organization. Their privileges and limitations are defined by their job responsibilities. System administrators can then assign access to specific job titles rather than assigning individuals access.
For businesses with small or basic applications, DAC is rather straightforward and less complicated to utilize. However, for confidential or highly sensitive material, your business might be better suited to MAC or RBAC.
Access control is more than who can access your building, it helps protect your data from various types of intruders
