The process of granting or denying permissions to non-human entities based on their identity and roles.
Description
In the context of Non-Human Identity Management, authorization refers to the mechanisms and policies used to determine what actions or resources a non-human entity, such as an application, device, or service, is permitted to access or perform. This process is crucial for ensuring security and compliance, as it helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems. Authorization is typically based on predefined roles and permissions that are assigned to each non-human identity, which can be dynamically adjusted based on context, such as time of access, location, or the nature of the request. Effective authorization frameworks often leverage standards such as OAuth, OpenID Connect, or Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to manage permissions efficiently. This ensures that non-human identities operate within the bounds of their designated capabilities, thus mitigating risks associated with automated processes and integrations in complex IT environments.
Examples
- A cloud service automatically authorizing a backup application to access specific databases.
- An IoT device receiving permission to send data to a central server based on its identity and role.
Additional Information
- Authorization can be enforced through policies defined in Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions.
- It is important to regularly review and update authorization policies to adapt to changing security requirements.