Permissions are the atomic building block of access. In a subject-object-verb structure of access, permissions are the verb of access. Different systems may have a different name for permissions, but it all corresponds with specific actions in a system or product. Examples of permissions include read and write access. The former allows you to see and interact with something, but not change it. The latter allows you both to interact with something and change it like adding or deleting items. In most systems, you don’t interact directly with permissions. Rather, you work with roles or policies.