Atomic authorization is a term referring to a method of access control that grants or denies permission to perform a specific action or operation on a resource at the most granular and fine-grained level possible. It involves the allocation, management, and enforcement of privileges based on individual elements or attributes within a broader authorization scheme.
In atomic authorization, permission is evaluated and enforced on an atomic or indivisible unit basis, such as user accounts, database records, or specific fields within a resource. Rather than applying authorization at a higher level, it focuses on distinct parts or elements of a resource. This allows for more precise control and efficient management of access rights.
Atomic authorization ensures that access to each individual element within a resource is granted or denied based on specific rules, policies, or conditions. For example, within a database, it may enable granting read access to certain fields while denying write access or allowing a user to modify specific records but not others.
This approach enables organizations to implement a more secure and manageable authorization framework by granting only the necessary permissions, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches. It provides enhanced flexibility and control over access rights, facilitating compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements.
Overall, atomic authorization provides a more detailed and exhaustive level of control for managing access rights to resources, ensuring that permissions are assigned and enforced at the most granular level possible.
The term "atomic authorization" is composed of two parts: "atomic" and "authorization".
1. Atomic: The word "atomic" derives from the Greek word "atomos", meaning "indivisible" or "uncuttable". It was first coined by the Greek philosopher Democritus around 400 BCE to describe the smallest indivisible particle of matter. In the context of computing and database systems, "atomic" refers to an operation or a transaction that is indivisible or atomic. It implies that the operation is considered as a whole and cannot be divided or interrupted.
2. Authorization: The word "authorization" has its roots in the Latin word "authorizare", which means "to give power or authority". It is derived from "auctor", meaning "author" or "originator". Authorization implies granting permissions, rights, or privileges to someone or something.