Amazon Redshift Announces Support for Scoped Permissions and Object-Level Privileges in Data Sharing

Amazon Redshift, a fully managed, cloud-based data warehouse service, has recently introduced new features to enhance data sharing capabilities. With the introduction of scoped permissions and object-level privileges, data consumers can now manage access to shared data at a more granular level than ever before.

Scoped Permissions

Scoped permissions in Amazon Redshift allow data consumers to control access to shared data based on specific criteria. This means that users and roles on data sharing consumers can now have access to only the objects they have permission for, providing a more secure and controlled environment for data sharing.

Previously, permissions in Amazon Redshift were granted at the schema level only. With scoped permissions, data consumers can now define object-level privileges on shared databases, providing more flexibility and control over who can access what data.

To set up scoped permissions on a shared database or schema, data consumers can create databases from data sharing with the WITH PERMISSIONS option. This allows them to define which objects within the shared database are accessible to specific users or roles, ensuring that data remains secure and only accessible to those who need it.

Object-Level Privileges

In addition to scoped permissions, Amazon Redshift now supports object-level privileges on shared data. This new capability gives data consumers the ability to manage permissions at a more granular level, allowing them to grant access to specific objects within shared databases.

With object-level privileges, data consumers can now control who has access to individual tables, views, and other objects within a shared database. This level of control ensures that sensitive data remains secure and is only accessible to authorized users.

By granting object-level privileges to specific users or roles, data consumers can ensure that access to shared data is restricted based on the specific needs of each individual or group. This level of granularity enhances security and control over shared data, ensuring that only those with the necessary permissions can access sensitive information.

Benefits of Scoped Permissions and Object-Level Privileges

The introduction of scoped permissions and object-level privileges in Amazon Redshift brings a range of benefits to data sharing processes. Some of the key benefits include:

Enhanced Security

Scoped permissions and object-level privileges enhance security by allowing data consumers to control access to shared data at a more granular level. This ensures that sensitive information remains secure and is only accessible to authorized users.

Improved Control

By granting object-level privileges to specific users or roles, data consumers can exert greater control over who has access to shared data. This level of control ensures that data remains protected and only those with the necessary permissions can access it.

Increased Flexibility

Scoped permissions and object-level privileges provide data consumers with increased flexibility when managing shared data. By defining permissions at a granular level, users can access only the data they need, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Technical Considerations

When implementing scoped permissions and object-level privileges in Amazon Redshift, there are several technical considerations to keep in mind. Some of these considerations include:

Performance Impact

Implementing scoped permissions and object-level privileges may have a performance impact on queries accessing shared data. It’s important to test the impact on query performance and optimize queries as needed to ensure efficient data access.

Query Optimization

To ensure optimal performance when accessing shared data with scoped permissions and object-level privileges, it’s important to optimize queries. This may involve creating indexes, redistributing tables, or other query optimization techniques to improve query performance.

Monitoring and Auditing

It’s important to monitor access to shared data and audit permissions regularly to ensure that data remains secure. By monitoring user access and permissions, data consumers can identify and address any potential security issues proactively.

Conclusion

The introduction of scoped permissions and object-level privileges in Amazon Redshift enhances the data sharing capabilities of the platform, providing data consumers with greater control and security over shared data. By implementing scoped permissions and object-level privileges, organizations can ensure that sensitive information remains secure and is only accessible to authorized users. With careful consideration of technical considerations and best practices, organizations can optimize data access and ensure the integrity of shared data in Amazon Redshift.