gatekeeper

Gatekeeper refers to a person, group, process, or system that controls access to something, acting as a filter or intermediary. The gatekeeper determines who may proceed, what resources may be used, and under what conditions access is granted. The concept is widely applied across domains, from security and publishing to healthcare and media.

In information technology and networking, a gatekeeper is often a device or software component that mediates access to a resource. Examples include firewalls and authentication servers, which screen requests before allowing entry. A well-known example on consumer computers is macOS Gatekeeper, a security feature that enforces code signing and app notarization to prevent untrusted software from launching.

In telecommunications, a gatekeeper is a central server in H.323 networks that handles endpoint registration, admission control, bandwidth management, and call routing.

In media and culture, gatekeeping describes the act of deciding which content or messages are allowed into the public sphere. Editors, publishers, and program directors often serve as gatekeepers. The Gatekeepers is the title of a 2012 documentary by Dror Moreh about the heads of Israel’s security services; various films or books use the term in different ways.

In healthcare, social work, and education, gatekeepers control access to services, resources, or opportunities for clients or students, balancing need, eligibility, and policy.

See also gatekeeping, a broader term for the act or practice of performing gatekeeping.