Description: XACML (eXtensible Access Control Markup Language) is a standard designed to express access control policies declaratively. This language allows organizations to define who can access what resources and under what conditions, facilitating permission management in complex environments. XACML is based on an authorization model that uses attributes of subjects, resources, and actions to make access decisions. Its structure allows for the creation of policies that can be easily understood and modified, which is essential in a zero-trust context, where threats can come from anywhere, even within the network. As an open standard, XACML promotes interoperability between different systems and platforms, which is crucial in cloud environments where multiple services and applications are used. Its ability to handle real-time access decisions and its flexibility to adapt to different security scenarios make it a valuable tool for organizations looking to implement a robust access control approach.
History: XACML was developed by OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards), with its first version published in 2003. Since then, it has evolved through several versions, enhancing its ability to handle complex policies and adapt to new security needs in digital environments.
Uses: XACML is primarily used in resource access management in enterprise environments, especially in applications that require granular access control. It is also applied in identity and access management (IAM) systems and in data protection across various platforms, including cloud environments.
Examples: An example of XACML usage is in a company managing sensitive data, where policies can be defined to restrict access to certain employees based on their role and the sensitivity of the information. Another case is its implementation in cloud service platforms, where dynamic and attribute-based access control is required.
