Discretionary Access Control
Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is a security model where the owner or creator of an object, such as a file or folder, specifies access permissions for other users or groups. Typically managed using Access Control Lists (ACLs), DAC allows the owner to grant or deny access to resources based on users' individual, group, or role membership. It can be quite flexible, as users can modify access rights for different levels of security depending on their needs. However, it is also sensitive to human error; a user might not fully understand the possible security implications of their permission assignments, which could lead to unauthorized access. Implementing DAC is less restrictive than other access control models, such as Mandatory Access Control (MAC), but can be more vulnerable to inappropriate user control and insider threats.
Guide to Discretionary Access Control (DAC)
Discretionary Access Control, commonly abbreviated as DAC, is a critical concept in the field of Information Security, specifically under the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) access-control domain.
Importance of DAC:
DAC is considered essential because it helps in defining and enforcing an organization's security policies. It gives owners or creators of any information or resource the power to manage access to their data.
What is Discretionary Access Control (DAC)?
It is a type of access control system that grants or restricts user access to a system, network, or resources based on the discretion of the resource owner. In a DAC model, every object such as files, directories etc., has an owner, usually the creator, who can establish an access policy for it.
How DAC Works:
DAC works on the principle that the owner of the data has the discretion to grant or deny access to other users. The access rights or permissions could be read, write, or execute, depending on the level of trust and the requirement of the user.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Discretionary Access Control:
1. Understanding the concept: Clear understanding of the concept of DAC is crucial. Remember that DAC is controlled at the discretion of the individual user, not by a central authority.
2. Recognize DAC in scenarios: DAC might be disguised in exam scenarios; look for hints where the owner has the authority to grant access.
3. Comparing with other models: You may get questions comparing DAC with other access control models like Mandatory Access Control (MAC) or Role Based Access Control (RBAC). Understand the difference among them; DAC is less strict compared to other models.
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