Access Control Systems
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Access Controls
When we refer to access control, we’re talking about the practice of restricting entrance to a property, building, or room to authorized persons and employees.
But familiarity and wielding it’s power correctly to protect proprietary information are two completely different levels of understanding. For example, who gets access to what? What are the rules? How is it tracked?
You first have to identify and authenticate a person before giving them access to private information—which means the basics of a control system include criteria and records for every time someone “enters” the system.
Access control systems allow for monitoring of entrance and exit, access restriction, and an audit trail of who entered when and where. Door access can be controlled via the web on a computer, phone, or tablet with certain privileges or permissions.
Access can be controlled through a…
- Key fob
- ID tag
- Card
- Biometric
A robust access control system provides a unique level of security with up-to-the-minute security flexibility.
The Most Common Types of Access Control Systems
Mandatory Access Control (MAC)
The mandatory access control system provides the most restrictive protections, where the power to permit access falls entirely on system administrators. That means users cannot change permissions that deny or allow them entry into different areas, creating formidable security around sensitive information.
It even restricts the resource owner’s ability to grant access to anything listed in the system. Once an employee enters the system, they’re tagged with a unique connection of variable “tags”—like a digital security profile—that speaks to what level of access they have. So depending on what tags a user has, they will have limited access to resources based on the sensitivity of the information contained in it. This system is so shrewd, in fact, that it’s commonly used by government entities because of its commitment to confidentiality.
Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
A discretionary access control system, on the other hand, puts a little more control back into the business owner’s hands. They get to determine who can access which resources, even if the system administrator created a hierarchy of files with certain permissions. All it takes is the right credentials to gain access. The only disadvantage, of course, is giving the end-user control of security levels might cause some oversight. And since the system requires a more active role in managing permissions, it’s easy to let actions fall through the cracks. Where the MAC approach is rigid and low-effort, a DAC system is flexible and high-effort.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Role-based access control attributes permissions to a user based on their business responsibilities. As the most common access control system, it determines access based on your role in the company ensuring lower-level employees aren’t gaining access to high-level information. Access rights in this method are designed around a collection of variables that map back to the business; such as resources needs, environment, job, location, and more. Most owners like this approach because it’s simple to group employees based on the kind of resources, they need access to. For example, someone in human resources does not need access to private marketing materials, and marketing employees don’t need access to employee salaries. RBAC provides a flexible model that increases visibility while maintaining protection against breaches and data leaks.
Our attention to detail, professionalism, and flexible schedule ensure that our access control systems are always reliable and have 100% uptime.
Cox Electric’s team will work to ensure the safety and security of your employees and their work environment. Whether you require a full faceted system or just want to monitor a few doors, we can offer a number of options that can serve you today as well as grow with future needs.