Accesso

Accesso is an Italian noun meaning access, entry, or admission. It denotes the ability or permission to enter a place, to use a service, or to retrieve information. The term derives from Latin accessus, from ad- 'to' + cedere 'to go', and is related to the English word access. In everyday Italian it can refer to physical entry, such as l'accesso a un edificio, or to the right of using a resource, such as l'accesso a Internet or l'accesso ai dati.

In technology and computing, accesso describes user permissions to systems, networks, or data. Common phrases include controllo di accesso (access control), autenticazione (authentication), and autorizzazione (authorization). Types of access include accesso remoto (remote access), accesso privilegiato (privileged access), and accesso guest/user accounts. Access logs (log di accesso) record who has entered a system, and misconfigurations can create security vulnerabilities.

In legal and policy contexts, accesso often refers to the right to obtain information. The diritto di accesso exists in data protection and freedom of information regimes, for example the right of access to personal data under privacy laws, and to public records. Restrictions may apply for security or privacy reasons.

Accessibility is also connected to accesso through the Italian term accessibilità, referring to making services, facilities, or information usable by all, including people with disabilities. Cognates and related terms appear in many domains, from architecture to user experience, reflecting the common idea of gaining entry or use under defined conditions.