What does the ability to adjust access control to the exact amount of permission necessary refer to?

The ability to adjust access control to the exact amount of permission necessary is referred to as granularity. In the context of access control, granularity pertains to the level of specificity in the permissions assigned to users, processes, or devices.

Having granular access control allows organizations to tailor permissions based on the specific needs of users and their respective roles, ensuring that individuals have access only to the information and resources they need to perform their tasks. This precise allocation enhances security by minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or potential misuse of sensitive data.

For example, in a system where access controls are highly granular, a user might have permission to read certain files but not to edit or delete them, while another user may have permissions that include write access based on their role. Therefore, granularity is essential for effective security management and operational efficiency.

Additionally, while concepts like the separation of duties and the concept of least privilege relate to access control as well, they focus on different aspects of security practices. The separation of duties aims to prevent fraud and error by distributing responsibilities among different individuals, while the concept of least privilege emphasizes giving users the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks. Granularity encompasses both these ideas but specifically hones in on the detailed assignment of access