Access control is essential for securing applications and data, and there are three main models to consider: role-based access control (RBAC), attribute-based access control (ABAC), and policy-based access control (PBAC). RBAC assigns permissions based on predefined roles, making it simple and easy to audit, but potentially inflexible in dynamic environments. ABAC uses a combination of user, resource, and environmental attributes for fine-grained access decisions, offering flexibility but requiring strong governance. PBAC focuses on centralized policies that integrate roles, attributes, and context, providing unified control and scalability, especially in multi-cloud environments. Each model has its strengths, and the choice depends on an organization's structure, compliance needs, technical resources, and scalability goals. Often, a hybrid approach combining these models offers a balance of simplicity and flexibility, particularly for organizations with diverse and evolving access requirements. Platforms like Descope enable the implementation of these models or their combinations without complex coding, supporting scalable and secure access control solutions.