Attribute-Based Access Control
Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) is an authorization model that grants or denies access to resources based on attributes of the user, resource, action, and environment. It uses policies that evaluate these attributes through logical rules, allowing for fine-grained, dynamic, and context-aware access control decisions. This approach is highly flexible and scalable, making it suitable for complex systems with diverse access requirements.
Developers should learn ABAC when building applications that require sophisticated, context-sensitive access control, such as in cloud environments, healthcare systems, or financial services where permissions depend on multiple factors like user roles, time of day, or data sensitivity. It is particularly useful for implementing least-privilege principles and complying with regulatory standards like GDPR or HIPAA, as it enables precise control over who can access what under specific conditions.