Which statement about Rule-Based Access Control is true? a. It dynamically assigns roles to subjects based on rules. b. It is no longer considered secure. c. It requires that a custodian set all rules. d. It is considered a real-world approach by linking a user’s job function with security.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is a. It dynamically assigns roles to subjects based on rules.
Explanation:
Rule-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a type of access control model that uses predefined rules to determine access permissions for users (or “subjects”) based on certain conditions or attributes. Unlike Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), which assigns permissions based on roles, RBAC in its more traditional sense assigns users or systems to roles based on rules, such as conditions tied to time of access, location, or specific system states.
Here’s why option a is correct and the others are not:
- a. It dynamically assigns roles to subjects based on rules.
- This is accurate because in RBAC, access control can be determined dynamically. For example, an access control rule may dictate that employees can access certain resources only during business hours or from specific devices. This dynamic aspect of role assignment is a defining feature of Rule-Based Access Control.
- b. It is no longer considered secure.
- This statement is false. Rule-Based Access Control remains a widely used and secure method of controlling access, especially in environments where conditions or attributes beyond simple role assignments need to be considered.
- c. It requires that a custodian set all rules.
- This is misleading. While it is true that rules need to be defined for access control, they can be set by a variety of administrators or systems, not necessarily just a single custodian. The key point of RBAC is that the rules are applied dynamically, not rigidly set by a single person.
- d. It is considered a real-world approach by linking a user’s job function with security.
- This statement applies more to Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) rather than Rule-Based Access Control. Role-Based Access Control directly ties a user’s job function to their access permissions, but Rule-Based Access Control is more focused on conditions and rules that govern access, irrespective of the user’s job role.
In summary, Rule-Based Access Control provides a flexible, rule-driven way to manage access, adjusting permissions based on dynamic conditions rather than static role assignments.
