ISO-IEC 10589:2015 is a technical standard that provides a framework for the operation of Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) systems. ABAC is a data access control model that uses various attributes and policies to determine access permissions. This standard, developed jointly by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), aims to ensure consistent implementation and interoperability of ABAC systems across different organizations and applications.
The Objectives of ISO-IEC 10589:2015
The main objective of ISO-IEC 10589:2015 is to define a standardized approach for managing attributes and their relationships in ABAC systems. It provides guidelines for attribute registration, administration, and usage. The standard focuses on attributes that are used to define subject characteristics, resource properties, and environmental conditions that influence access control decisions. By standardizing attribute management, ISO-IEC 10589:2015 promotes consistency and compatibility among ABAC systems, enabling better collaboration and seamless integration of access control policies.
The Key Features of ISO-IEC 10589:2015
ISO-IEC 10589:2015 incorporates several key features that enhance the effectiveness of ABAC systems:
Attribute Registration: The standard provides guidelines for defining attributes, including naming conventions, data types, and formats. By registering attributes using a standardized approach, organizations can ensure consistency in attribute definition and usage.
Attribute Administration: ISO-IEC 10589:2015 outlines best practices for attribute administration, including attribute lifecycle management, versioning, and metadata management. These practices help organizations maintain attribute integrity and facilitate attribute-based policies.
Attribute Policy Language: The standard defines a common language for expressing attribute-based policies. This language enables policy interoperability among diverse ABAC systems, making it easier to enforce consistent access control across different applications and services.
Attribute Evaluation: ISO-IEC 10589:2015 specifies the mechanisms for attribute evaluation, including attribute retrieval, validation, and combination. These mechanisms enable ABAC systems to accurately evaluate access requests based on defined attributes and policies.
The Benefits of ISO-IEC 10589:2015
ISO-IEC 10589:2015 offers several benefits to organizations implementing ABAC systems:
Interoperability: By following this standard, organizations can ensure that their ABAC systems are compatible with other systems, facilitating information sharing and collaboration between organizations.
Consistency: Standardized attribute management promotes uniformity in defining and using attributes, resulting in consistent access control policies across different systems and applications.
Scalability: The guidelines provided by ISO-IEC 10589:2015 enable organizations to manage a large number of attributes efficiently, allowing scalability for complex access control scenarios.
Auditability: Following the standard's attribute registration and administration guidelines improves traceability and accountability, making it easier to audit access control decisions and address any security or compliance concerns.