Description: In the context of access control systems, ‘mandatory’ refers to a policy or rule that must be followed to ensure the security and proper functioning of applications within an operating system. Access control systems allow administrators to define security profiles for individual applications, limiting their capabilities and access to system resources. The implementation of mandatory policies ensures that applications operate within a secure framework, minimizing the risk of vulnerabilities and attacks. These policies are essential for protecting both user data and system integrity, as they establish clear restrictions on what each application can and cannot do. The mandatory nature of these rules means that if an application attempts to perform an unauthorized action, it will be blocked, helping to prevent malicious or unwanted behaviors. In summary, the concept of ‘mandatory’ in access control systems is fundamental to creating a secure and controlled environment in which applications can operate without compromising the overall security of the system.
History: AppArmor was developed by Immunix in 2001 as a security solution for Linux systems. In 2009, Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, acquired AppArmor and integrated it into its distribution, leading to an increase in its popularity and use. Over the years, AppArmor has evolved to include more advanced features and better integration with operating systems, becoming an essential tool for security in various environments.
Uses: Access control systems that implement mandatory policies are primarily used in operating systems to apply security policies to specific applications. They allow administrators to define which system resources each application can access, as well as the actions it can perform. This is especially useful in environments where security is critical, such as web servers, database systems, and workstations handling sensitive information.
Examples: A practical example of mandatory policies is in web servers, where profiles can be created that limit the access of applications to only the files and directories necessary for their operation. Another example is in database systems, where restrictions can be established so that database management applications only access specific databases and not other system resources.
