Access Control for Collaboration in Cloud Environment: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Collaborative systems enable users to collaborate on shared tasks using distributed platforms. In such collaborations, cloud-based solutions are commonly used to store data and capitalize on cloud computing advantages. However, participants may need access to resources controlled by other collaborators, including sensitive data. Ensuring access control for collaboration and cross-tenant access in multi-cloud environment is a crucial challenge to address. This paper provides an in-depth exploration of access control models in multi-tenant environments, specifically for collaboration scenarios involving tenants from the same or different clouds. Each model is comprehensively explained, emphasizing its advantages and limitations. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the discussed access control models is included. Based on this study, we propose guidelines for implementing effective access control, carefully considering the specific authorization requirements for cross-tenant access in a multi-cloud environment.