Access Control in Networking

Introduction to Access Control

• Access Control is the process of enforcing policies that allow or disallow access to data.
• It can be associated with individuals or groups.
• IT teams convert policies into processes for operating systems to manage access rights.

Key Concepts

• Least Privilege: Assign only necessary rights and permissions for job functions. This minimizes risk by limiting default user privileges.

Access Control Models

1. Mandatory Access Control (MAC)

• Resources are labeled (e.g., Confidential, Secret, Top Secret).
• System administrators define rights and permissions based on labels.
• Example: Users in different departments have different access levels based on their roles.

2. Discretionary Access Control (DAC)

• Data creators control access to their data.
• Example: Spreadsheet creators decide who can access and modify it.
• Pros: Flexibility for data owners.
• Cons: Security relies on each user setting proper controls.

3. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

• Access rights are based on job roles (e.g., Manager, Director).
• Administrators create groups with specific permissions.
• Users inherit permissions by being added to a group.
• Examples: Groups for shipping and receiving, with specific access to software or logs.

4. Rule-Based Access Control

• System-enforced rules are created by administrators.
• Rules are associated with specific objects.
• Example: Access is time-restricted (e.g., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) or browser-specific.

5. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

• Evaluates multiple criteria (e.g., IP address, time of day, action type) for access decisions.
• Allows complex, versatile rule creation.

Time-of-Day Restrictions

• Administrators can set access based on time constraints.
• Considerations include global timezone differences.
• Examples: Network inaccessibility during non-working hours or restricted access for resources based on time.

Conclusion

• Understanding and implementing appropriate Access Control models is crucial for network security and efficiency.