Lattice-Based Access Control Model

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Lattice-Based Access Control (LBAC) Model is a security model that combines both confidentiality and integrity requirements based on a mathematical structure called a lattice. In this model, each subject and object is assigned a pair of integrity and confidentiality levels, known as a label. Access control decisions are based on whether the subject's label is higher or equal to the object's label in both integrity and confidentiality aspects. The LBAC model is unique because it enforces a hierarchical structure on both integrity and confidentiality levels, which makes it a robust choice for military applications that require managing various classification levels and compartmented data.

Guide to Lattice-Based Access Control Model

The Lattice-Based Access Control Model (LBAC) is a security architecture model widely employed to manage access rights in computer systems.

Importance: LBAC is important due to its preciseness and ability to restrict access to information across multiple levels of sensitivity. It preserves confidentiality and integrity of data, effectively reducing risks associated with uncontrolled data access.

Concept: LBAC uses a lattice structure offering precise control over access rights. Each object (data) and subject (user or process) is assigned a level of access that represents their 'position' in the lattice. Access is granted based on these levels, ensuring a subject can only interact with an object if its level meets or exceeds the object’s level.

Functionality: The functioning of LBAC revolves around two properties - no read up and no write down policy (also known as Bell-LaPadula Model). No read up policy restricts subjects to reading objects which are at or below their assigned level, while no write down policy allows subjects to only write to objects that are at or above their level.

Exam Tips: For exams, remember key characteristics of LBAC such as the lattice structure, assignment of levels to subjects and objects and the no read up/no write down policy. Understand how these elements work together to manage access in a precise way. A good approach to answering questions about LBAC is to apply these principles to given examples, demonstrating a clear understanding of how access is controlled in various scenarios.

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Question 1

A government agency using Lattice-Based Access Control needs to restrict employees' access to specific government documents. To establish access restrictions, which type of lattice element is most suitable?

User's age User's department Security level User's job title

Correct Answer: Security level

In the Lattice-Based Access Control model, security levels like 'Top Secret', 'Secret', and 'Confidential' are used to establish access restrictions. Security levels provide a mechanism to protect information based on its sensitivity.

Question 2

In an organization using Lattice-Based Access Control, User_A has a 'Secret' security level, and an object has its classification level as 'Top Secret'. Can User_A access the object?

Yes, User_A can access the object User_A can access only if given temporary access No, User_A cannot access the object Access is granted if the object's classification level is lowered

Correct Answer: No, User_A cannot access the object

In a Lattice-Based Access Control model, a user needs to have a security level equal to or higher than the object's classification level to access it. In this case, User_A's 'Secret' security level does not dominate the object's 'Top Secret' classification level, and access is denied.

Question 3

An IT company implements a Lattice-Based Access Control model and uses a combination of clearance levels and categories. In this model, clearance levels follow an order: 'Top Secret', 'Secret', 'Confidential'. If User_X has a clearance level of 'Secret' and additional categories that the object lacks, and the object has a clearance level of 'Confidential', can User_X access the object?

Access is based solely on clearance level It depends on the clearance level of the object User_X can access if the object's category is incorrect Yes, User_X can access the object

Correct Answer: Yes, User_X can access the object

In a Lattice-Based Access Control model that combines clearance levels and categories, a user is granted access to an object if the user's clearance level is equal to or higher than the object's clearance level, and the user possesses all the categories that the object requires. Additional categories that the user has but the object does not have do not restrict access. In this case, User_X has a clearance level of 'Secret', which is higher than the object's 'Confidential' level. Although User_X has additional categories that the object lacks, this is permissible because the user meets or exceeds all the object's category requirements. Therefore, User_X can access the object.

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