Mode-based access control method and device

A mode-based access control device comprising:

• an authentication unit which checks information on a first user or a second user, and authenticates the first user or the second user;
• a mode configuration unit which makes a security mode list indicating security setting states of devices forming a network, if the first user has authority to make the security mode list;
• a mode setting unit which sets a specific security mode selected from security modes on the security mode list, if the second user has authority to set the specific security mode;
• and
• an operating unit which causes the devices to perform functions thereof in the specific security mode by collectively changing the security setting states of each of the devices based on the specific security mode,
• wherein the mode configuration unit comprises:
• a mode editing unit which edits the security mode list by adding a new security mode to the security mode list, by removing an existing security mode from the security mode list or changing an existing security mode in the security mode list, and
• wherein the security mode list is modifiable by the first user.

A mode-based access control method comprising:

• making a security mode list which indicates security setting states of devices existing in a network;
• setting a specific security mode selected from security modes on the security mode list;
• and
• making the devices perform functions thereof in the specific security mode by collectively changing the security setting states of each of the devices based on the specific security mode,
• wherein the setting of the specific security mode comprises:
• performing user authentication to check whether a user has authority to set the specific security mode;
• if the user has authority to set the specific security mode, setting the specific security mode that the user wants to set, and
• wherein the mode-based access control method further comprises converting the specific security mode based on a result of comparing mode priorities of the security modes.

A mode-based access control device comprising:

• an authentication unit which checks information on a first user or a second user, and authenticates the first user or the second user;
• a mode configuration unit which makes a security mode list indicating security setting states of devices forming a network, if the first user has authority to make the security mode list;
• a mode setting unit which sets, according to the user, a specific security mode selected from security modes on the security mode list, if the second user has authority to set the specific security mode;
• and
• an operating unit which causes the devices to perform functions thereof in the specific security mode by collectively changing the security setting states of each of the devices based on the specific security mode,
• wherein the mode configuration unit comprises:
• a mode editing unit which edits the security mode list by adding a new security mode to the security mode list, by removing an existing security mode from the security mode list or changing an existing security mode in the security mode list;
• and
• wherein the mode based access control device further comprises a mode converting unit which converts the specific security mode based on a result of comparing mode priorities of the security modes.