Unified network and physical premises access control server

Abstract

The present invention provides an access control server that holds information pertaining to both network access and facility access. The access control server enforces policies based on location, type of resource, time of day, duration, or other events, and logs all successful and unsuccessful attempts to access a given resource whether it be on the network or at the facility. The access control server operates off a common list or table of attributes and policies, or separate lists or tables of attributes and policies that are arbitrated by a credential verification and policy engine. This unified access control server implements protocols that work with network and/or physical premises-based devices. The unified access control server allows events in the facility to be associated with events on the network and vice versa and direct policies that may be executed in the physical or network realm.