In many applications, authorization is typically seen as an allow-or-deny mechanism. However, determining user access is more nuanced than a simple binary decision. Users often need permission to view only a subset of data—without necessarily gaining full access or being completely blocked. This is where data filtering comes in. Rather than granting blanket permissions, data filtering narrows the actual data returned to each user based on their authorization level.
When data filtering is used appropriately, it enhances security, reduces the risk of data leaks, and prevents users from being overwhelmed by unnecessary information. It also scales well, helping large datasets remain manageable by filtering out irrelevant results before they reach the user.
By the end, you’ll see how structured authorization policies and data filtering can keep data under control and secure, whether you’re working with tens or millions of records.