What type of administration allows only one element to configure access controls centrally?

Centralized administration is characterized by the ability to manage access controls from a single, central point. This model allows for a unified approach to managing permissions, policies, and user access across an organization’s systems. By centralizing access management, organizations can ensure consistency in policy enforcement, simplify the administration of rights and privileges, and reduce the potential for conflicts that can arise in a more fragmented approach.

In a centralized administration model, IT personnel can configure access controls, policies, and roles all from one location, allowing for a streamlined process in managing user access. This approach is often favored in environments where security and compliance are critical, as it provides better oversight and control over who has access to what resources.

Other types of administration, like decentralized, distributed, and hybrid, each involve multiple points of management or a combination of central and local control, which can complicate the administration of access controls and potentially introduce inconsistencies in policy enforcement. In contrast, centralized administration focuses on consolidating management to enhance security, efficiency, and accountability.