, C.
, Ferraiolo, D.
, Kuhn, D.
, Schnitzer, A.
, Sandlin, K.
, Miller, R.
and Scarfone, K.
(2019),
Guide to Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC) Definition and Considerations, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-162
(Accessed October 22, 2025)
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Guide to Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC) Definition and Considerations
Published
Author(s)
, , , Adam Schnitzer, Kenneth Sandlin, Robert Miller, Karen Scarfone
Abstract
[Includes updates as of August 2, 2019] This document provides Federal agencies with a definition of attribute based access control (ABAC). ABAC is a logical access control methodology where authorization to perform a set of operations is determined by evaluating attributes associated with the subject, object, requested operations, and, in some cases, environment conditions against policy, rules, or relationships that describe the allowable operations for a given set of attributes. This document also provides considerations for using ABAC to improve information sharing within organizations and between organizations while maintaining control of that information.Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-162
Report Number
800-162
NIST Pub Series
Pub Type
NIST Pubs
Supercedes Publication
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Keywords
access control, access control mechanism, access control model, access control policy, attribute based access control (ABAC), authorization, privilege.
Citation
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Created August 2, 2019, Updated June 7, 2020