Which access control model utilizes user attributes to manage access permissions?

The access control model that utilizes user attributes to manage access permissions is Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). In ABAC, access rights are granted based on attributes of the user, the resource, and environment conditions. This model allows for fine-grained access control, as it evaluates various attributes such as user roles, the sensitivity of the data, and contextual factors like time of access or location.

For example, if a user has an attribute indicating they belong to a specific department, ABAC can automatically grant them access to resources that are appropriate for that department without needing to define roles explicitly. This flexibility makes ABAC particularly powerful in environments where access needs can change frequently.

By contrast, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is based on roles assigned to users rather than attributes, meaning users are grouped by roles rather than evaluated on individual attributes. Discretionary Access Control (DAC) allows users to make decisions about who can access their resources, typically not relying heavily on attributes. Mandatory Access Control (MAC) is a stricter model that involves the assignment of classification levels to both users and resources, with access determined by the system based on security levels rather than user attributes. Thus, ABAC distinguishes itself through its dynamic and context-aware approach to