Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Key Concepts

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a method of regulating access to computer or network resources based on the roles of individual users within an enterprise. The key concepts include:

• Roles
• Permissions
• Users
• Role Assignment
• Role Authorization

Roles

Roles are defined sets of permissions that determine what actions a user can perform. Each role is associated with specific tasks or responsibilities within the organization.

Example: In a company, roles could include "Admin," "Manager," "Employee," and "Guest."

Permissions

Permissions are the specific rights or privileges granted to a role. These determine what resources a user can access and what actions they can perform on those resources.

Example: The "Admin" role might have permissions to create, read, update, and delete data, while the "Guest" role might only have read-only access.

Users

Users are individuals who are assigned roles. Each user is granted the permissions associated with their assigned role(s).

Example: A user named "John Doe" might be assigned the "Manager" role, giving him access to manage projects and view employee information.

Role Assignment

Role Assignment is the process of assigning roles to users. This ensures that users have the appropriate permissions based on their job functions.

Example: When a new employee joins the company, the HR department assigns them the "Employee" role, granting them access to company resources relevant to their position.

Role Authorization

Role Authorization is the process of verifying that a user has the necessary role to perform a specific action. This ensures that users can only access resources and perform actions that their roles permit.

Example: When a user attempts to access a sensitive document, the system checks their role to ensure they have the necessary permissions before granting access.

Examples and Analogies

Roles Example

Imagine a hospital where roles include "Doctor," "Nurse," "Patient," and "Visitor." Each role has specific permissions, such as the "Doctor" role being able to access patient medical records and prescribe treatments.

Permissions Example

Consider a university system where the "Professor" role has permissions to grade assignments and view student records, while the "Student" role only has permissions to submit assignments and view their grades.

Users Example

In a retail store, users include "Store Manager," "Cashier," and "Customer." The "Store Manager" has access to inventory management and employee schedules, while the "Cashier" can process transactions and issue receipts.

Role Assignment Example

When a new intern starts at a tech company, they are assigned the "Intern" role, which grants them access to basic company resources and training materials but not sensitive data.

Role Authorization Example

When a user tries to access the payroll system, the system checks their role to ensure they are either an "Admin" or a "Manager" before allowing access to the payroll data.

By understanding and implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), organizations can ensure that users have the appropriate access to resources based on their roles, enhancing security and efficiency.