Row-Level Security Patterns in Graph Databases

1. Introduction

Row-level security (RLS) is an essential feature in graph databases that allows organizations to enforce data access policies at a granular level. It ensures that users can only access the data they are authorized to see, thereby enhancing security and compliance.

2. Key Concepts

• **Row-Level Security**: A method to control access to rows in a database table based on the characteristics of the user executing a query.
• **Policies**: Rules defined to determine which users can access which rows based on their roles or attributes.
• **Graph Databases**: Databases designed to treat relationships as first-class citizens, allowing for more complex querying and data relationships.

3. Implementation

Implementing Row-Level Security in a graph database can be achieved through several patterns. Below are steps to create a basic RLS model:

3.1 Define User Roles

Establishing user roles is critical to RLS. In a graph database, roles can be modelled as nodes.

CREATE (:Role {name: 'Admin'}),
       (:Role {name: 'User'}),
       (:Role {name: 'Guest'});
    

3.2 Assign Permissions

Assign permissions to each role using relationships.

MATCH (r:Role {name: 'User'})
CREATE (r)-[:CAN_ACCESS]->(:Data {id: 'data1'}),
       (r)-[:CAN_ACCESS]->(:Data {id: 'data2'});
    

3.3 Implement Access Control Logic

When querying data, apply filters based on user roles:

MATCH (u:User)-[:HAS_ROLE]->(r:Role)-[:CAN_ACCESS]->(d:Data)
WHERE u.id = $userId
RETURN d;
    

4. Best Practices

• Define clear and concise roles to minimize complexity.
• Regularly review and update permission assignments.
• Log access attempts for auditing purposes.
• Test RLS policies thoroughly before deployment.

5. FAQ