Flexible security control environment

An automation control system, comprising:

• an interface device configured to enable a user to monitor, control, or monitor and control processes of the automation control system:
• a display of the interface device, wherein the interface device and display are configured to present a graphical-user-interface that enables the user to monitor, control, or monitor and control the processes of the automation control system;
• a processor of the interface device configured to:
• render a plurality of interface screens to the display;
• determine a set of access rights of a protected interface screen of the plurality of interface screens, at least one object of the protected interface screen, or both;
• wherein the set of access rights are inherited from access rights associated with a one or more of the plurality of interface screens, a folder containing the protected interface screen, or both;
• and
• provide access, via the protected interface screen, to monitor, control, or monitor and control the processes based upon the set of access rights;
• wherein the processor is configured to render choices for the set of access rights, the choices comprising:
• a full access choice, a read only access choice, a no access choice, and an inherit access choice;
• and
• wherein the set of access rights are inherited only when the inherit access choice is selected.