What is a key characteristic of Mandatory Access Control?

A key characteristic of Mandatory Access Control (MAC) is that access is determined by centralized policies set by an administrator. In a MAC environment, the control of access to resources is governed by a strict policy framework that enforces security across the system without allowing individual users to override these settings. Administrators establish rules that dictate who can access which resources based on various factors, such as security clearances or classifications of information.

This architecture ensures a higher level of security since permissions are not influenced by user preferences or roles; they are consistently applied and enforced by the system. Consequently, even if a user has a certain level of permissions under their role, they cannot change those permissions independently or based on their own discretion. This rigid structure is essential in environments where data integrity and confidentiality must be maintained, such as in government or military operations.