Definition
Role-Based Access Control RBAC is a method of regulating access to computer or network resources based on the roles of individual users within an organization. Instead of assigning permissions directly to users, administrators assign permissions to roles, and then assign users to those roles. This simplifies access management by grouping users with similar job functions and granting them the same access rights. RBAC is crucial for maintaining security and compliance by ensuring users only have access to the information and systems necessary for their specific duties. For instance, a billing department employee might be assigned a 'Billing Specialist' role granting access to financial records but not to HR files. This contrasts with Attribute-Based Access Control ABAC, which uses a wider range of attributes beyond roles to make access decisions. RBAC is a fundamental concept tested on certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CISSP.