What are the differences between ACLs and IAM?

What are the differences between ACLs and IAM?

ACLs (Access Control Lists) and IAM (Identity and Access Management) are both used for managing access to resources, but they serve different purposes. ACLs are more about specifying which users or groups have access to specific resources, while IAM is a broader framework that manages user identities and their permissions across an organization.

Can you give me an example of how ACLs work?

Sure! An ACL might specify that User A has read access to a file, while User B has both read and write access. This allows for fine-grained control over who can do what with that file.

And how does IAM differ in terms of user management?

IAM provides a centralized way to manage user identities and their permissions across multiple systems. It allows for role-based access control, where users can be assigned roles that define their permissions, making it easier to manage access at scale.

Which one is better for a large organization?

For large organizations, IAM is generally better because it offers a comprehensive approach to managing user identities and permissions across various systems, while ACLs can become cumbersome to manage as the number of resources and users grows.