What is the difference between Mandatory Access Control (MAC) and Discretionary Access Control (DAC)?

B.

Mandatory access control (MAC) and discretionary access control (DAC) are two different access control models used to protect computer systems and data from unauthorized access.

DAC is a type of access control where the owner of the resource has the discretion to grant or deny access to others. It is a decentralized access control system, where users are responsible for setting the permissions on their files, folders, or other resources. In a DAC system, access is granted based on the identity of the user and their permissions, which can be set by the user or an administrator. The permissions can be set to allow or deny access to specific resources, such as files, folders, or devices.

In contrast, MAC is a centralized access control model that is controlled by the system administrator. It is a stricter form of access control, where access is granted based on a set of predefined rules that are set by the administrator. These rules are often based on factors such as user clearance levels, the sensitivity of the information being accessed, and the need-to-know principle. In a MAC system, access to resources is granted or denied based on these predefined rules, rather than the discretion of the resource owner.

To summarize, the main differences between MAC and DAC are as follows:

• MAC is a centralized access control model, while DAC is a decentralized access control model.
• In DAC, access is granted based on the discretion of the resource owner, while in MAC, access is granted based on a set of predefined rules set by the system administrator.
• MAC is often considered stricter than DAC, as it provides a more controlled access to resources.