Custom Authorization
Custom authorization is a security concept where developers implement tailored access control logic to manage user permissions and resource access in applications, beyond standard role-based or attribute-based models. It involves defining and enforcing business-specific rules to determine what actions users can perform based on dynamic conditions, such as data ownership, time constraints, or complex workflows. This approach is essential for applications with nuanced security requirements that cannot be adequately addressed by off-the-shelf authorization solutions.
Developers should learn and use custom authorization when building applications with complex, domain-specific security policies, such as in healthcare systems with HIPAA compliance, financial platforms with transaction limits, or multi-tenant SaaS products where access depends on tenant-specific rules. It is crucial for scenarios requiring fine-grained control, such as allowing users to edit only their own data, restricting access based on real-time conditions like location or time, or implementing custom workflows where permissions change dynamically during processes like approvals or audits.