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Implicit Authorization

A method of granting access to Non-Human Identities (NHIs) based on contextual factors without explicit permission.

Description

Implicit authorization refers to the process where access rights and permissions are automatically assigned to Non-Human Identities (NHIs), such as applications, services, or devices, based on contextual information and predefined policies rather than through explicit consent or direct user intervention. This type of authorization is particularly useful in scenarios where NHIs need to interact with various resources or services seamlessly and efficiently. For instance, a cloud service might grant an application access to storage resources based on its operational context, such as the network it is operating within or the time of day. This helps in automating workflows and reducing the overhead of user management while ensuring that access is granted in a secure and controlled manner. However, implicit authorization can also raise security concerns, as it may lead to unintended exposure of sensitive resources if context criteria are not correctly defined and monitored. Therefore, it's crucial to establish robust policies and frameworks to manage implicit authorization effectively.

Examples

  • An IoT device that automatically accesses a cloud service to send data without requiring user interaction.
  • A software application retrieving user data from an API based on a pre-established trust relationship.

Additional Information

  • Implicit authorization relies heavily on contextual factors such as location, time, and device status.
  • It is essential to regularly review and update the policies governing implicit authorization to mitigate security risks.

References