3 Types of Access Control Systems; Which One Is Right for Your Premises
Access control systems, whether installed for your home or business, ensure that the right people can enter while others stay out. It makes it easy to control who has permission to come and go, increasing security to protect your home or business. They also allow you to monitor and control people's movements so that you know who has access to any area at any time.
There are three main types of access control systems: discretionary access control (DAC), mandatory access control (MAC), and role-based access control (RBAC). Each type of access control system works in a different way to give you control over your property.
Discretionary Access Control
Discretionary access control is a good choice for homes or smaller businesses, where security is required for one or two doors. It's less restrictive compared to other types of access control systems, allowing the end-user (e.g. the homeowner or business owner) complete control over who can come and go. They can set security levels and permissions for other people, and can also easily give someone their entry key or the code for the entrance to allow them access. It's a standalone access control system, localising security to the door itself.
This type of access control is generally not secure enough for larger businesses or any situations that require levels of access to be monitored or delegated. Those requiring a higher level of business security might need to consider other types of access control.
Mandatory Access Control
A mandatory access control system delivers a higher level of security compared to a DAC system. When there needs to be increased security and protection of data, mandatory access control helps to provide it by ensuring the end-user doesn't control who has access to the facility. It's the owner and system administrator who manage the access control. Using this type of system, the administrator will classify end users and give them access to certain areas but perhaps not others.
Although this can provide for homes or businesses with slightly more sophisticated security needs, it's still best for a small to medium business. Each time a new person needs to be assigned a label that gives them access to relevant areas, or when someone leaves and permissions need to be removed, it has to be done manually. This wouldn't be practical for businesses with a large number of employees.
Role-Based Access Control
A role-based access control system for doors assigns permissions based on the end-user's role within the organisation or household. This type of control access system puts a system administrator in charge of access, and their security allowances are based on their responsibilities and the role that they perform. Instead of individually assigning permissions to someone, they will be automatically given the required permissions because they have been labelled with their role, which has the correct security levels attached to it. This type of access control system is ideal for large businesses with more members of staff, but can also be useful for smaller businesses or households looking for extra security.
Your premises could benefit from one of these types of access control systems. MAC security systems can help you to choose the right system.
What to Take Away
There are a number of access control systems; ensuring that you choose the right system for your home or business premises is essential. Interested in finding out more about access control systems and how they can secure your home or business? Get in touch with a member of the MAC Security team on 0121 271 0149 or by sending us an email at info@macsecurity.co.uk. You can also use the contact form below to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.