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The document compares role-based access control (RBAC) and label-based access control (LBAC) as methods for managing access to sensitive data in databases. RBAC assigns permissions based on user roles, simplifying management in organizations, while LBAC uses security labels for data, providing granular control and regulatory compliance. The choice between RBAC and LBAC depends on organizational needs, with potential for a hybrid approach to leverage the strengths of both models.

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4 views4 pages

WAU4

The document compares role-based access control (RBAC) and label-based access control (LBAC) as methods for managing access to sensitive data in databases. RBAC assigns permissions based on user roles, simplifying management in organizations, while LBAC uses security labels for data, providing granular control and regulatory compliance. The choice between RBAC and LBAC depends on organizational needs, with potential for a hybrid approach to leverage the strengths of both models.

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Zaw Htet
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Written Assignment Unit 4

Role-Based vs. Label-Based Access Controls


Databases 2
Instructor: Irfan Rashid Thoker
Student Name: Alejandro Obeso Bohigas
Date: 24-02-2025
Introduction
Access control is crucial for protecting sensitive data within any database system.
Two commonly used models are role-based access control (RBAC) and label-
based access control (LBAC). While both aim to ensure that users only have
privileges needed for their tasks, they differ in how permissions are assigned and
managed. In this paper, we will explore RBAC, compare it with LBAC, and discuss
how these approaches can be applied in practical scenarios.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)


1. Definition
o RBAC assigns permissions to roles rather than individual users. A role
represents a job function or responsibility (e.g., “Database
Administrator,” “Data Analyst,” “Customer Support”). Users are then
granted roles, gaining the combined permissions of those roles.
2. Key Features
o Simplicity: RBAC simplifies administration by grouping permissions
logically. Instead of granting individual permissions to each user,
administrators grant roles with predefined privileges.
o Scalability: As organizations grow, adding new users is
straightforward—administrators only assign roles instead of manually
specifying each permission.
o Separation of Duties: Roles can be designed to enforce
organizational policies. For instance, no single role might have both the
ability to create and approve financial transactions.
3. Use Cases
o Enterprise Applications: Large organizations with clear divisions of
labor benefit from RBAC, as it streamlines permission management.
o Cloud Environments: Cloud-based services often offer built-in RBAC
features to control resource access.

Label-Based Access Control (LBAC)


1. Definition
o LBAC is based on assigning security labels to both data and users.
Labels often reflect sensitivity levels or categories (e.g., “Confidential,”
“Internal Use,” “Public”). A user must have a clearance label equal to
or higher than the data’s label to access that information.
2. Key Features
o Granular Data Protection: LBAC allows data to be labeled at a very
fine-grained level, enabling strict segregation of sensitive information.
o Regulatory Compliance: Useful for industries requiring stringent
data classification, such as government or healthcare.
o Dynamic Assignments: Administrators might adjust labels as data
sensitivity changes.
3. Use Cases
o Military and Government: LBAC is historically common in classified
environments, ensuring that only personnel with the proper clearance
can access specific data.
o Highly Regulated Industries: Healthcare, finance, and other
industries with sensitive data.

Comparison of RBAC and LBAC


1. Permission Assignment vs. Classification
o RBAC: Ties permissions to job roles.

o LBAC: Ties permissions to labels assigned to data.

2. Administrative Overhead
o RBAC: Easier to manage when roles are well-defined, but can become
complex if roles proliferate.
o LBAC: Requires consistent and careful labeling of all data, which can
be time-consuming.
3. Flexibility vs. Granularity
o RBAC: Offers flexibility in role definitions but may not naturally handle
highly sensitive or heterogeneous data.
o LBAC: Provides a high level of data granularity, but labeling
requirements can be complex.
4. Typical Implementations
o RBAC: Common in corporate structures, applications, and cloud-based
systems with large user bases.
o LBAC: Suited for environments where data classification is a top
priority.
Conclusion
Both RBAC and LBAC serve as robust access control models, each with distinct
advantages. RBAC simplifies user permission management by focusing on roles,
making it ideal for organizations with well-defined hierarchies or departments. In
contrast, LBAC secures data at a more granular level through labels, ensuring that
only the appropriately cleared users can access sensitive records. The choice
between RBAC and LBAC depends on an organization’s regulatory requirements,
data classification needs, and administrative resources. In some cases, a hybrid
approach may be used, combining the simplicity of RBAC with the fine-grained
control of LBAC.

References
 Jajodia, S., & Samarati, P. (1997). Mandatory and discretionary access control.
In Database security X (pp. 197–227). Chapman & Hall.
 Sandhu, R. S., Coyne, E. J., Feinstein, H. L., & Youman, C. E. (1996). Role-
based access control models. IEEE Computer, 29(2), 38–47.
 Silberschatz, A., Korth, H. F., & Sudarshan, S. (2001). Database system
concepts (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

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