Zugriff

Zugriff is a German noun meaning access, entry, or the act of reaching something. In technology it denotes the permission to reach or use a resource. The term comes from zugreifen, to grab or fetch, and is widely used to describe permissions in IT.

In information technology, Zugriff describes the ability to read, modify, or execute data or services. It is controlled by access control mechanisms that grant or restrict rights to users or processes. Typical rights include Lesezugriff, Schreibzugriff, and Ausführungszugriff.

Access control models define how rights are managed. Common approaches are Discretionary Access Control (DAC), Mandatory Access Control (MAC), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and increasingly Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). Rights may be assigned directly or via roles and attributes.

Authentication verifies identity, while authorization determines allowed actions. Effective Zugriff requires both. Auditing and logging track access events, supporting security monitoring and compliance. The principle of least privilege is a key guideline to minimize risks.

Privacy and legal context: Data protection laws require proper access controls to protect personal information. Organizations should implement verifiable Zugriffsrechte and maintain audit trails. Data subjects often have rights to access their data under applicable regulations, influencing how systems grant and revoke Zugriff.

Zugriff is also used in everyday language for physical entry or system access, reflecting its broad sense of being able to reach and use resources.