| Protecting access authorization information (i.e., access control decisions) ensures that authorization information cannot be altered, spoofed, or otherwise compromised during transmission.
In distributed information systems, authorization processes and access control decisions may occur in separate parts of the systems. In such instances, authorization information is transmitted securely so timely access control decisions can be enforced at the appropriate locations. To support the access control decisions, it may be necessary to transmit, as part of the access authorization information, supporting security attributes. This is because, in distributed information systems, there are various access control decisions that need to be made, and different entities (e.g., services) make these decisions in a serial fashion, each requiring some security attributes to make the decisions.
The network device must be compliant with at least one IETF standard authentication protocol such as Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS), Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus (TACACS+). Protocols that are clearly defined in IETF RFC Internet standards (a.k.a. full standards), and are capable of securely conveying authorization information, are suitable for use. |
