Behörighet

Behörighet, meaning authorization or competence, is a term used in Swedish to denote the right to perform a task or access resources. The exact meaning depends on the context: legal authority in public administration, or access rights in information systems.

In public administration, behörighet refers to the legally granted mandate or competence of a person or body to act within a defined scope. It is established by law, regulations, or delegation, and can be restricted by territorial or functional boundaries. Delegation schemes transfer parts of the authority to subordinates while preserving accountability.

In information technology, behörighet describes a user’s permissions to carry out actions or access data. Common models include role-based access control (RBAC) and attribute-based access control (ABAC). Managing behörighet involves provisioning, revoking, and auditing rights to ensure security and compliance.

Examples include a municipality's behörighet to issue building permits, or an employee's behörighet to access payroll data or to sign contracts. In everyday language, it also denotes qualification or suitability to undertake a task. Effective governance of behörighet requires clear roles, documented rules, and regular reviews to prevent misuse and errors.