Object-level Security (OLS)

Object-level Security is a cybersecurity approach that focuses on protecting the individual objects that make up an application or system. Objects are autonomous entities that have defined properties and behaviors and can be anything from a file or a record in a database to a process or an instance of an application. Object-level security is based on the premise that by protecting individual objects, the security of the system as a whole is ensured.

One of the main advantages of object-level security is that it allows for granular control over access to individual objects. Instead of having a single layer of security that protects the entire system, object-level security allows for different levels of access and permissions to be defined for each individual object. For example, one user may be granted read-only access to a file, while another user has edit permissions.

Another important advantage is that object-level security makes it easier to detect and respond to security threats. If an object is compromised, it can be isolated and the damage can be contained. Additionally, monitoring individual objects allows for the detection of anomalous patterns and behaviors, which can indicate an ongoing security threat.

Object-level security is applied in a wide range of applications and systems. For example, in the context of web applications, object-level security can be used to protect different elements, such as pages, forms, images, and attachments. In a database, individual tables, views, and stored procedures can be protected. In an operating system, individual files and folders, processes, and services can be protected.