Types of Access Control in Security (With Examples)

Access control is a security method used to manage who can use specific resources, such as applications or data, and who has permission to enter and exit a property. They are the foundation of security access control, providing intelligent, auditable management for your premises.

These access controls are generally built on three core models known as Mandatory (MAC), Discretionary (DAC), and Role-Based (RBAC) access control. Each type provides a different framework for managing permissions, and familiarity with them helps you select the right solution to protect your property.

The Three Core Access Control Models

Each of the three core access control models provides a different method for managing permissions, offering distinct levels of administrative control and operational flexibility.

1. Mandatory Access Control (MAC)

MAC is the most restrictive of the three security control types. In this environment, a central system administrator defines and manages all access rights based on security classifications. 

End users cannot alter these permissions, making this high-security approach reserved for environments, such as government facilities or data centres, where absolute confidentiality is the priority.

2. Discretionary Access Control (DAC)

This model offers greater flexibility. Under DAC, a designated owner or manager of a specific asset, such as a file or a room, can grant or revoke access for other users. 

While highly adaptable for collaborative environments, DAC requires diligent access control management to prevent permissions from becoming disorganised or granting unintended access.

3. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

As the most common security access control model in business, RBAC assigns permissions based on a person’s job function or role. Instead of managing hundreds of individual permissions, you simply assign a person to a role, such as “Sales,” “IT Admin,” or “Resident”. 

This method, applied into many solutions, simplifies access control management and makes employee grouping straightforward. It also upholds the principle of least privilege (PoLP), meaning users are granted only the minimum permissions necessary for their jobs, thereby reducing security risks.

How Security Access Control is Executed

These access controls provide the security rules, while the technology integrates them to match specific operational and security requirements.

Card Access Systems

Card access systems are a reliable, widely adopted solution that uses RFID technology to create digital credentials for staff and residents.

These credentials typically come in two primary forms: 

• Standard Proximity card or Fob: Operates at a low frequency (125 kHz) and transmits a pre-programmed identification number to the reader. 
• High-frequency Smart Card: A more advanced option, which operates at a 13.56 MHz frequency, such as MIFARE. These cards contain a secure memory chip that allows them to store encrypted data. This capability makes them more secure and suitable for multi-purpose applications, including safe access, time attendance, and even cashless payments.

Beyond these physical cards, modern systems can incorporate time-sensitive credentials, which are ideal for managing visitors or temporary contractors. These include secure QR codes that can be sent to a guest’s smartphone and expire after use. 

For high-security zones requiring multi-factor authentication, solutions can be deployed using One-Time Passwords (OTPs). This method often requires a user to generate a unique code from a portable keypad token, such as an HID ActivID Token. By requiring this code, the system verifies the user’s identity by confirming something they possess (the token), offering a significantly stronger layer of security.

Biometric Access Solutions

When a higher level of security is necessary, biometric solutions offer an advanced method of identity confirmation. These systems grant access by verifying a person’s biological traits, like fingerprints or facial features. This technology is frequently used to protect critical locations, such as high-value areas or laboratories, which often require multi-factor authentication.

Mobile Access Credentials

Representing a modern, convenient, and highly secure alternative, mobile access turns a smartphone into a digital key. By using applications such as HID Mobile Access or Suprema Mobile Access, the phone leverages Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC) to communicate with the reader. 

This provides two key advantages. It eliminates the need for users to carry a separate physical card, which adds convenience. Furthermore, it enhances security by linking the access credential directly to a user’s personal, authenticated device.

For businesses, MAC allows for the instant, remote distribution or revocation of access rights.

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