In an identity-based access control system, who ultimately decides access rights?

In an identity-based access control system, the resource owner ultimately decides access rights. This is because the resource owner has the most intimate knowledge of the resource, including its sensitivity, the potential consequences of unauthorized access, and the necessary requirements for users to access the resource. The owner can define the access permissions that align with their security and operational policies.

In such systems, the resource owner can establish who should have access to certain types of data or systems, often by determining specific rights or roles and assigning them accordingly. This process allows for a tailored access control strategy that reflects the resource's value and requirements, ensuring that access aligns with organizational policies and procedures.

While the system administrator may manage and configure the systems and enforce policies, their role does not include making decisions about individual access rights without input from the resource owner. Similarly, a network engineer primarily focuses on the infrastructure and connectivity aspects of the network rather than on the specifics of access control permissions related to individual resources. Users themselves do not decide their access rights; rather, their access is determined by the rules and permissions set by the resource owner.