Implementation Playbooks: Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

Important:

The Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) Phase 1: Foundations feature is under Public Preview. Please contact OneTrust Support to request early access.

Successfully implementing Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) starts with understanding your organization's access requirements, collaboration needs, and governance goals. Because organizations are at different stages of their OneTrust journey, OneTrust provides multiple implementation playbooks tailored to specific customer scenarios. Use the playbook that best aligns with your organization's current stage of adoption.

Step 1: Complete the Pre-Implementation Workbook

All organizations should begin with the ABAC Pre-Implementation Workbook before selecting an implementation playbook based on their specific scenario.

This workbook helps teams:

  • Understand current access-control challenges

  • Identify who needs access to which records

  • Define ownership, approver, and collaboration models

  • Align stakeholders on governance and security requirements

  • Prepare for future ABAC adoption and implementation activities

Tip:

The ABAC Pre-implementation Workbook is recommended for all organizations implementing ABAC. Completing the exercises in this workbook first helps organizations assess readiness, gather requirements, and establish a shared access-control strategy before implementation.

Step 2: Select an ABAC Implementation Playbook

After completing the ABAC Pre-Implementation Workbook, select the implementation playbook that best matches your organization's current stage. Use it to guide planning and drive both stakeholder alignment and implementation activities. Organizations that invest time in planning access requirements early are better positioned to implement ABAC successfully and achieve their least-privileged access goals.

New to OneTrust?

Already using OneTrust?

Use the ABAC Implementation Playbook for New Customers.

This playbook helps new customers:

  • Design access controls before users and records are created

  • Establish least-privileged access principles from the start

  • Define record ownership and access requirements

  • Reduce the need for future role redesign and access-control rework

  • Build an ABAC strategy as part of their initial OneTrust implementation

Use the ABAC Implementation Playbook for Existing Customers.

This playbook helps existing customers:

  • Evaluate their current access-control model

  • Review existing roles and permissions

  • Identify opportunities to simplify custom roles

  • Plan the transition to record-level access controls

  • Introduce ABAC while minimizing disruption to existing workflows

ABAC Learning Path Complete

You have completed the recommended ABAC learning path. Use the ABAC Pre-Implementation Workbook and the respective implementation playbook to prepare for and guide your implementation. Refer to the articles below whenever you need to revisit foundational ABAC concepts and planning guidance.

  1. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) Overview ✅

  2. Understanding Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) ✅

  3. Using the Basic Role for Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) ✅

  4. Before Enabling Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) in Your Tenant ✅

  5. Supported Objects, Exclusions & Timelines for Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) ✅

  6. Assessment Considerations for Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) ✅

  7. Reporting Considerations for Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) ✅

  8. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) FAQ ✅

  9. Implementation Playbooks: Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) ✅