Access control is commonly associated with the security systems of commercial properties, and is rarely needed in residential security systems. Generally, these systems control who can enter certain areas or access resources – but there is a lot that goes into it.
When setting up an access control system, three key questions must be addressed:
- Who gets access to certain parts of the business.
- What are the rules for access to the property?
- How is everything tracked?
There are several types of access control systems to consider as you answer these questions. Based on the type of property you have, there needs to be rules in place to decide which employees get access to what.
If you are considering purchasing an access control system – or upgrading your existing one – we want to discuss the main iterations to keep in mind. Let’s discuss.
What is an Access Control System?
An access control system is an electronic security tool that provides automated approvals for personnel within a company or organization. Personnel can enter a facility or access certain resources based on their permissions granted via a security portal – without needing a security officer to manually review credentials.
Mandatory Access Control
These types of systems (commonly referred to as MAC) provide the most restricted protection of all the access control systems on this list. The power falls solely on system administrators – and users cannot alter their permissions to access certain areas or resources. Moreover, it restricts the system’s owner from granting access to anything within the system.
This provides the highest level of security.
How it Works
- Employees are entered into the system and tagged with certain variables to create a digital security profile.
- This profile specifies what level of access they have to the property and company information.
- Users will have strict access to resources based on the sensitivity of the information within them.
Mandatory access control is commonly used in government agencies, due to confidentiality requirements.
Role-Based Access Control
Role-based systems (RBAC) grant permissions based on the user’s responsibility within the business. For example, only accountants and the CFO may have access to the company’s financial information. A Role-Based Access Control system would guarantee that employees in other departments would not be able to access this information.
How it Works
- Access rights are created around a collection of variables within the company, including job title, location, job requirements, etc.
- This limits their access to sensitive company information.
- Employees can only access resources that pertain to their job responsibilities.
Insider security threats have risen by nearly 50 percent in recent years. RBAC offers a flexible security model that protects businesses from data breaches and leaks.
Discretionary Access Control
Discretionary access control systems (DAC) give business owners much more control than the previous two systems. In a DAC system, owners can decide who has access to what. They can also override any hierarchy of resources/areas with certain permissions.
How it Works
- System administrators set up clearance levels for certain resources or areas.
- Owners can use their credentials to override security systems.
- Employees can be granted access based on the owner’s discretion.
While this is a convenient option for businesses – there needs to be an active role in managing permissions. Unlike MAC systems, DAC is much less rigid, which creates a wider margin for error.
Rule-Based Access Control
As the name implies, the rule-based system grants access to users based on the policies within your organization. It functions similarly to role-based security systems and requires administrators to establish clear, unmistakable rules within the operating system.
How it Works
- Owners and system administrators establish firm policies for accessing resources/areas.
- Users attempt to access certain resources/areas.
- The operating system checks the rules specified in the access control list for that resource/area.
- Users are either granted or denied access.
Rule-based systems are very hands-on forms of access control. These are ideal for businesses that need a customized approach and may have evolving needs as the operation grows.
Attribute Access Control
Attribute access control goes a bit deeper than rule-based systems. It allows control based on certain tags given to users. These tags then dictate how access is granted. Similar to role-based systems, users are only granted access to resources and areas based on the attributes of their employee profiles.
How it Works
- System administrators set policies within the security systems.
- Employees are given user profiles based on their role.
- The system grants levels of access based on the attributes in their user profiles.
Attribute access control systems are very common in corporate offices.
The Wrap
There are many factors to consider during the selection process, access control setup, and access control installation. Many companies need some extra guidance in choosing the right system. Some end up paying for more than they need – while others do not employ a sufficient system and expose their organization to security risks.
Hopefully, this article has helped to point you in the right direction.
Author Bio: Brian Kozlosky, President/Founder of 2 Krew Security and Surveillance – headquartered in Kittanning, PA. With a Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock University, I have 15+ years of experience operating a successful security and surveillance company. You can get in touch with me on LinkedIn.