Access Control System

An Access Control System is a security system that manages access permissions to protected resources through authorization mechanisms.

• AKA: Permission System, Authorization System, Access Management System, Security Control System.
• Context:
  • It can typically enforce Authentication through identity verification.
  • It can typically manage Authorization via permission rules.
  • It can typically implement Access Policys with security constraints.
  • It can typically maintain Audit Trails using access logs.
  • It can typically control Resource Access through access decisions.
  • ...
  • It can often provide Role-Based Access via role assignments.
  • It can often support Attribute-Based Access through attribute evaluation.
  • It can often enable Multi-Factor Authentication with verification layers.
  • It can often implement Single Sign-On using identity federation.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Access Control System to being a Complex Access Control System, depending on its control sophistication.
  • It can range from being a Discretionary Access Control System to being a Mandatory Access Control System, depending on its policy enforcement.
  • It can range from being a Physical Access Control System to being a Logical Access Control System, depending on its resource type.
  • It can range from being a Centralized Access Control System to being a Distributed Access Control System, depending on its architecture model.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Identity Providers for user authentication.
  • It can connect to Directory Services for user management.
  • It can interface with Security Information Systems for threat detection.
  • It can support Compliance Systems through audit reporting.
  • It can enable Applications via security APIs.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Role-Based Access Control Systems, such as:
    • RBAC System for role-based permission.
    • AWS IAM System for cloud resource access.
  • Attribute-Based Access Control Systems, such as:
    • ABAC System for attribute-based decision.
    • XACML System for policy-based control.
  • Repository Access Control Systems, such as:
    • GitHub Access Control for repository permission.
    • Secure Repository Access System for protected code access.
  • Network Access Control Systems, such as:
    • 802.1X System for network authentication.
    • NAC System for network security.
  • Physical Access Control Systems, such as:
    • Badge Reader System for building access.
    • Biometric System for identity verification.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Open System, which lacks access restriction.
  • Public Resource, which lacks authentication requirement.
  • Anonymous Service, which lacks user identification.
  • Unrestricted Network, which lacks access control.
  • Shared Password, which lacks individual accountability.
• See: Security System, Authentication, Authorization, Identity Management, Role-Based Access Control, Security Policy, Audit System.

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