What type of access control is indicated by the error message that specifies different access levels for a user trying to access a resource?

The correct answer is that the described scenario is indicative of Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). In situations where different access levels are specified for users accessing a resource, it suggests that permissions are assigned based on the roles assigned to various users within the system.

In RBAC, permissions are not assigned to individual users; rather, they are associated with roles, allowing users to take on different roles and associate with varying levels of access based on their job functions or responsibilities. As a result, the access control mechanism ensures that users can only perform actions that are appropriate for their designated role, creating a more manageable and organized security framework.

This contrasts with Mandatory Access Control (MAC), which typically relies on system-enforced access levels that cannot be easily altered, and Discretionary Access Control (DAC), where the owner of the resource has the flexibility to determine access rights. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) employs policies based on attributes and conditions, adding complexity by evaluating various properties of users, resources, and environmental factors to enforce access decisions.

The situation described, focusing on static access levels tied to user roles, is best aligned with RBAC principles, which streamline access control management while enhancing security and compliance within systems.