A mechanism that allows a user to grant limited access to their account or resources to another user or application.
Description
Delegated access is a key concept in the Single Sign-On (SSO) protocol industry, allowing users to share their permissions or access rights with other parties without compromising their credentials. This process typically involves an authorization server that grants a token, which represents the user's consent, to the third party. By using delegated access, users can control what data or resources are accessible and for how long. For instance, when a user connects a third-party application to their social media account, they are often asked to permit specific actions like posting on their behalf or accessing their friend list. This ensures that users maintain control over their data while utilizing the convenience of SSO. Delegated access improves user experience by streamlining authentication and authorization processes, enabling secure access to various applications without the need for multiple logins.
Examples
- A user allows a fitness app to access their health data from a wearable device through OAuth2, enabling personalized workout suggestions.
- A project manager gives a team member delegated access to a shared document in Google Drive, allowing them to edit while keeping the original owner's permissions intact.
Additional Information
- Delegated access often uses protocols like OAuth2, which is widely adopted for secure API authorization.
- Users can revoke delegated access at any time, providing an additional layer of security and control over their data.