sharedaccess

Shared access is a model in information technology that allows multiple parties to access a resource without sharing the resource’s primary credentials. Access is delegated through tokens, signatures, or other credentials that encode the allowed operations, scope, and duration. The owner or authority maintains control over the original credentials and can revoke or modify access as needed.

Key concepts in shared access include delegation, scope (what is allowed), time-bound permissions (start and end times), revocation, and auditability. Access is typically granted via short-lived tokens or links that can be restricted by IP address, resource path, and permitted actions. The goal is to reduce exposure of sensitive credentials while enabling collaboration and automation.

Common implementations include shared access signatures and token-based authentication. A notable example is the Shared Access Signature (SAS) used with cloud storage services, which specifies allowed permissions (read, write, delete, list), a validity window, and optional restrictions such as IP ranges. Other systems rely on OAuth access tokens, API keys, or temporary links that convey delegated rights without exposing the primary credentials.

Benefits include reduced risk from sharing permanent credentials, finer-grained control, revocability, and improved auditability. Risks involve token leakage, overbroad permissions, and challenges in revoking long-lived tokens. Best practices emphasize least privilege, short token lifetimes, regular key rotation, TLS for transport, activity logging, and proactive monitoring to detect unusual usage.

Common use cases cover cloud storage sharing, API and service access, temporary collaboration on documents or resources, and automated workflows that require limited, time-bound access.