How does Cisco ISE categorize users for access control?

Cisco ISE categorizes users primarily by their role, such as employee, guest, or contractor, to enforce access control policies effectively. This role-based approach allows organizations to tailor access and permissions according to the specific needs and security requirements associated with each user type. For example, an employee may have access to sensitive company resources, while a guest might have restricted access to the internet only. This enables more precise control over who can access what within an organization's network, enhancing security and compliance.

The role-based categorization aligns with the principle of least privilege, where users are granted only the necessary access rights required for their specific job functions. This flexibility is crucial for adapting to different users' requirements and ensuring a secure environment where sensitive data is protected while still being accessible to those who need it.

The other options, while potentially relevant to certain contexts, do not represent the primary way Cisco ISE categorizes users for access control. Geographical location, network device type, and user device specifications may influence certain policies or evaluations but are not the core foundational basis for categorizing users in the context of Cisco ISE.