An access policy is a formalized set of rules and conditions that determines how users, systems, or entities are granted or denied permission to specific digital resources within an organization's network. As a cornerstone of Identity & Access Management (IAM) frameworks, access policies provide granular control over who can perform what actions, on which resources, and under what circumstances. These policies serve as critical security controls that protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and information misuse.

Access policies typically consider multiple factors including user roles, attributes, device security posture, network location, time of day, and resource sensitivity. By establishing these predefined parameters, organizations can systematically manage user privileges while upholding the principle of least privilege—ensuring individuals receive only the minimum access necessary for their legitimate tasks. This approach minimizes potential attack surfaces and protects sensitive data, intellectual property, and critical infrastructure by safeguarding the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information assets.