20 Access Control Interview Questions and Answers

An access control system helps to regulate who has access to a building, room or other restricted area. This type of system is often used in businesses and organizations to keep track of employee comings and goings, as well as to deter unauthorized entry. If you’re interviewing for a position that involves managing access control, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience and knowledge of the subject. In this article, we review some of the most common access control questions and how you should answer them.

Access Control Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Access Control interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is access control?

Access control is the process of limiting access to a resource, such as a file, folder, or network. This is usually done by assigning permissions to users, which dictate what they are allowed to do with the resource.

2. Can you explain what the term authorization means in the context of access control?

Authorization is the process of determining whether or not a user is allowed to access a particular resource. This usually involves checking to see if the user has the appropriate permissions to access the resource in question.

3. How does a user get access to a resource?

In order for a user to get access to a resource, they must be granted access by an administrator. The administrator will assign the user a role, which will determine what level of access the user has to the resource. The user will then be able to access the resource according to the permissions that have been set for their role.

4. How do users prove their identities for authentication purposes?

There are a few different ways that users can prove their identities for authentication purposes. The most common method is to use a username and password, which the user enters into a login form. Other methods include using a physical token, such as a keycard, or using biometric data, such as a fingerprint.

5. Can you give me some examples of role-based access control models?

There are a few different types of role-based access control models, but the most common are discretionary access control (DAC), mandatory access control (MAC), and role-based access control (RBAC). In a DAC model, access to resources is based on the discretion of the resource owner. In a MAC model, access to resources is based on a set of security labels that are assigned to users and resources. In an RBAC model, access to resources is based on the roles that users have been assigned.

6. What are discretionary, mandatory and non-discretionary access controls?

Discretionary access controls are those that are set by the owner of the resource and that can be changed by that owner at any time. Mandatory access controls are those that are set by a central authority and that cannot be changed by the owner of the resource. Non-discretionary access controls are those that are set by the system and that cannot be changed by the owner of the resource.

7. Can you explain how MAC works? How is it different from DAC?

MAC, or Mandatory Access Control, is a system of security that uses labels to determine who can access what. These labels are assigned by a central authority, and they cannot be changed by users. This is in contrast to DAC, or Discretionary Access Control, which allows users to decide who can access their files.

8. Can you explain how RBAC works?

RBAC, or role-based access control, is a system of access control that uses roles to determine what a user is allowed to do. A user is assigned to a role, and that role is then granted access to certain resources. This makes it easy to control access to resources, as you can simply add or remove roles as needed.

9. Can you explain how ABAC works?

ABAC, or Attribute Based Access Control, is a method of managing access to resources that uses attributes to define both the subject and object of a request. This means that, rather than being based on the identity of the user, it is based on what the user is trying to access and what their attributes are. This makes it a very flexible system that can be adapted to a variety of different use cases.

10. What are identity management systems?

Identity management systems are systems that are used to manage the identities of users within an organization. These systems can be used to track and manage user accounts, as well as to provide authentication and authorization services. Identity management systems can be used to control access to resources, both physical and digital, within an organization.

11. Can you explain what SAML is?

SAML is an XML-based standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between security domains. SAML is used to provide single sign-on capabilities, meaning that a user can authenticate once and then gain access to multiple applications without having to re-enter their credentials. SAML also allows for the delegation of authentication decisions to third-party security providers.

12. Is it possible to implement RBAC without using an IDMS or IAM system? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to implement RBAC without using an IDMS or IAM system. This can be done by creating a role-based access control matrix. This matrix would list all of the roles in the system as well as the permissions that each role has. This would then need to be mapped to the users in the system so that each user has the appropriate permissions.

13. What are the differences between centralized and decentralized access control?

Centralized access control is when there is a single point of control for all access to a system. This can be more secure, but it can also be more vulnerable to attack. Decentralized access control is when there are multiple points of control, which can make it more difficult to coordinate attacks but can also make the system more resilient.

14. Can you explain how AAA works?

AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. Authentication is the process of verifying that a user is who they say they are. Authorization is the process of determining what a user is allowed to do. Accounting is the process of tracking what a user does.

15. Which types of attacks can be prevented by implementing access control?

There are a few different types of attacks that can be prevented by implementing access control measures. One is unauthorized access, which is when someone tries to access a resource that they are not supposed to have access to. Another is privilege escalation, which is when someone tries to gain access to a higher level of privileges than they are supposed to have. Finally, access control can also help to prevent denial of service attacks, which is when someone tries to prevent others from accessing a resource.

16. Are there any disadvantages of implementing access control? If yes, then what are they?

There are a few disadvantages of implementing access control. First, it can be difficult to manage and keep track of all the different permissions that users have. Second, if not implemented correctly, access control can actually decrease security by creating more opportunities for unauthorized access. Finally, access control can be time-consuming and expensive to set up and maintain.

17. Can you explain what data classification is?

Data classification is the process of organizing data into categories so that it can be managed and protected more effectively. Data classification schemes vary, but they usually involve creating categories based on sensitivity level, with the most sensitive data being placed in the highest category. Data classification can help organizations to better understand their data security risks and take steps to mitigate them.

18. What’s the difference between static and dynamic access control lists?

Static access control lists are lists that do not change. They are typically used in small networks where the administrator knows all of the users and can predefine the permissions for each user. Dynamic access control lists are lists that can be changed as needed. They are typically used in larger networks where the administrator does not know all of the users and needs to be able to change the permissions as needed.

19. What are Active Directory Rights Management Services(AD RMS)?

AD RMS is a server role in Active Directory that allows for the creation and enforcement of information rights management policies. These policies can be used to control who has access to what information, and for how long they have access to it. This can be helpful in ensuring that sensitive information is not leaked or shared without proper authorization.

20. What are some common access control vulnerabilities?

Some common access control vulnerabilities include:

– Lack of least privilege, where users are given more access than they need
– Insecure default permissions, where new users are given too much access by default
– Lack of separation of duties, where one user has too much control over the system
– Lack of role-based access control, where users are not assigned to specific roles with well-defined permissions
– Weak authentication, where passwords are easily guessed or stolen