Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a security framework that enhances data protection by assigning user roles and permissions, ensuring selective access and separation of duties. RBAC is crucial for managing access in CI/CD pipelines and DevOps, as it offers flexibility and improved organizational security through regular role reviews and adjustments. Unlike access control lists (ACL) and attribute-based access control (ABAC), RBAC provides enterprise-level security by defining roles as collections of permissions, which can be adjusted based on organizational needs and structures. It supports businesses by protecting data and key processes, offering increased visibility across cloud tooling and IT systems, and facilitating the separation of duties to minimize the impact of cyber-attacks. Implementing RBAC requires a thorough understanding of organizational needs, role definitions, and regular reviews to maintain effective governance. The blog highlights how the Harness platform simplifies the application of RBAC in CI/CD environments, enabling authenticated user management through defined user groups and role assignments, thus enhancing software delivery practices.