When implementing a security system to protect your home or business, and the contents and occupants of those buildings, getting access control right is key. But there’s a lot more to it than just determining who is allowed to enter and exit the building; good access control systems can also prevent data intrusion and hacking. The point of an access control system is to identify an employee or resident, their role, and ensure that person has access to everything they need while limiting access to secure systems they are not authorized to use.
There are many options in the market for access control systems, and each caters better to different needs; if you’re looking for a gym access control system, you have different requirements than someone looking for a home system.
The Big Three of Access Control
There are three primary types of access control system.
- Discretionary access control
- Role based access control
- Mandatory access control
Discretionary access control systems decide which people or employees are allowed in specific locations, whether digital or physical. The responsibility for setting these parameters is with the business owner. Compared to other access control systems, DAC systems are the least restrictive; this is because they give the owner of the business complete control over their business and assets, and any digital platforms associated with them. However, DAC systems can be vulnerable to malware as it gives control of all security settings to an end user. These systems are generally best suited to smaller organizations with more basic structures as they are less complicated to implement.
Role-based access control or RBAC systems are generally the most in-demand type of access control system, for both business and domestic use. These access control systems work by assigning access strictly based on a person or employee’s role within the home or organization; access is assigned and managed by a central system administrator. Security privileges are assigned to this central manager, and the manager sets privileges and limitations for others. This simplifies matters as rather than assigning access to individuals, the administrator can assign access by job title. These systems are suited to bigger organizations handling higher levels of confidential information.
Mandatory Access Control systems are mostly used in organizations that use confidential or classified data in their operations. The owners of these organizations or systems do not have access to the access controls; only the designated custodian can manage permissions. These systems typically classify all end users and then provide them with labels that allow them security access – within set guidelines. These systems work best for military and similar organizations dealing with huge amounts of secure data.
Choosing the Right System
When choosing a system, you should take all these factors into account; the nature of your business, your existing security measures, the number of users that you have and what their roles are. It is essential to make the right decision, so do your research and seek expert advice if needed.
