Authorization

Authorization in identity management refers to the process of determining what an authenticated user is allowed to do within a system. Once a user's identity is verified through authentication, authorization controls access to specific resources and actions based on predefined policies.

Key Aspects of Authorization:

  1. Access Control Models: Common models include:
    • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Permissions are assigned based on user roles.
    • Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Access is determined by user and resource attributes.
    • Policy-Based Access Control: Uses policies to manage permissions dynamically.
  2. Permissions: Define the actions users can perform (e.g., read, write, delete) on specific resources (e.g., files, applications).
  3. Principle of Least Privilege: Users are granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks, reducing security risks.
  4. Audit and Compliance: Monitoring and logging access events help ensure compliance with security policies and regulations.

Effective authorization is essential for protecting sensitive information and ensuring that users have appropriate access to resources based on their roles and responsibilities.