Policy-based access control (PBAC) also known as Policy Based Access Management, is a security model that manages and enforces access to resources based on a set of policies rather than hard-coded rules, static permissions, roles, groups, or user identities alone. In PBAC, access decisions are driven by centrally managed policies that define conditions under which a user or entity is allowed or denied access to resources. By using PBAC, organizations can define, enforce, and manage access in a way that aligns with their business needs, enhances security, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. PBAC is particularly useful in dynamic and complex environments where access decisions need to be flexible and scalable.

By using a 3-tier Policy Enforcement Point (PEP), Policy Decision Point (PDP), and Policy Administration Point (PAP) architecture, PBAC allows for efficient and centralized management of complex access control policies across the entire IT landscape. Instead of auditing and modifying roles across the entire organization, PBAC allows quick adjustment of entitlements in response to changes in requirements, ensuring that assets are secured through set rules or policies. PBAC is an adaptable authorization solution because it can support a variety of access points by automating security controls in applications and on data. When PBAC is built with Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) support, the approach combines roles and attributes to provide flexible and dynamic access control.