What model relies on a set of characteristics of an object to make decisions about access control?

The model that relies on a set of characteristics of an object to make decisions about access control is Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). ABAC is a security model that evaluates policies based on the attributes of users, the resources they are trying to access, and the environmental conditions at the time of the access request. This approach allows for fine-grained access control decisions because it considers various dynamic attributes, such as the user's role, the specific resource being accessed, and any contextual conditions (like time of day or location).

By using attributes, organizations can implement more flexible and context-aware access control policies compared to traditional models. This means that access can be granted or denied based on specific conditions that can change, thereby aligning with security needs and policies more accurately.

In contrast to ABAC, the other access control models are more rigid in their approach or rely on different mechanisms for access authorization. For example, Mandatory Access Control (MAC) uses predefined policies set by the system, typically based on user clearance and data classification. Discretionary Access Control (DAC) allows owners of the resources to make decisions regarding access, which may lead to less stringent controls. Privileged Access Management (PAM) focuses specifically on controlling and monitoring accounts that have elevated access