Apparatus, methods, and system for role-based access in an intelligent electronic device

The present disclosure describes apparatus, methods, and system for secure access control of an intelligent electronic device ("IED") by multiple personnel. Within the IED a set of basic permissions is defined. A software program allows a security administrator create specific roles from the basic permissions. The software program can then be used to assign to a user a specific role for one or more specific IEDs. This action creates a set of unique security keys for the user and a unique security file for each IED. When a user accesses an IED the system identifies the user from the security key and determines his/her permissions using the security file. The security key may take the form of a password inputted into the IED, an access device incorporated within the IED, and/or a remote access device positioned proximate the IED or removably positioned in the IED.