Decentralized Security

Decentralized security:

Allows more sensitivity to user requirements since the administrator is more familiar with the resources being protected, and with the users, than is possible at the central level
Allows faster response to maintenance requests
Requires a lower administration workload per administrator since security maintenance is delegated among several decentralized sites.

But, decentralized security might....

Require more complex policies and procedures
Provide a lower level of security since the authority to modify security definitions is performed in many disassociated locations
Require more time to implement
Require additional overhead at the central level to monitor the activities of the decentralized administrators.