Access control

Access control in information security is a fundamental concept aimed at protecting data and resources from unauthorized access. It involves the use of policies, procedures, and technologies to regulate who can view or use information in a computing environment.

Elements of Access Control

1. Identification:
   • The process of recognizing an individual or entity. Typically involves a username or an ID number.
2. Authentication:
   • Verifying the identity of the individual or entity. Common methods include passwords, biometrics, and security tokens.
3. Authorization:
   • Determining what resources or data an authenticated user is allowed to access. This often involves permissions and roles.
4. Accountability:
   • Ensuring that actions can be traced back to a specific user. This involves logging and monitoring activities.

Types of Access Control Models

1. Discretionary Access Control (DAC):
   • Owners of the data have control over who has access. They can set permissions based on their discretion.
2. Mandatory Access Control (MAC):
   • Access decisions are made by a central authority based on security policies. Users cannot change access rights.
3. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
   • Access rights are assigned based on roles within an organization. Users inherit permissions according to their role.
4. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC):
   • Access decisions are based on attributes (e.g., user characteristics, resource types, environment conditions) rather than fixed roles.