Access Controls
Access controls are security mechanisms that regulate who or what can view, use, or modify resources in a computing environment, such as data, systems, or applications. They enforce policies to ensure that only authorized users, processes, or devices have appropriate access, typically based on identity, roles, or attributes. This concept is fundamental to information security, protecting against unauthorized access, data breaches, and ensuring compliance with privacy and regulatory standards.
Developers should learn and implement access controls to secure applications and systems, especially in multi-user environments, cloud services, or when handling sensitive data like personal information or financial records. Use cases include building authentication and authorization systems in web apps (e.g., user roles in an e-commerce site), securing APIs with token-based access, and managing permissions in databases or file systems to prevent data leaks and ensure least-privilege principles.