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.