Object ownership and access in Snowflake is a fundamental security concept that determines who can perform actions on database objects. Every object in Snowflake has an owner, which is the role that created the object. This ownership model is central to Snowflake's role-based access control (RBAC) …Object ownership and access in Snowflake is a fundamental security concept that determines who can perform actions on database objects. Every object in Snowflake has an owner, which is the role that created the object. This ownership model is central to Snowflake's role-based access control (RBAC) system.
When a role creates an object such as a table, view, schema, or database, that role automatically becomes the owner. The owner role has full control over the object, including the ability to grant privileges to other roles, modify the object, or drop it entirely. Ownership can be transferred to another role using the GRANT OWNERSHIP command.
Access to objects is controlled through privileges. Snowflake uses a hierarchical privilege system where roles can be granted specific permissions on objects. Common privileges include SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE for tables, and USAGE for databases, schemas, and warehouses. The USAGE privilege is particularly important as it allows a role to access an object but does not grant any specific action privileges.
Snowflake follows the principle of least privilege, meaning users should only have the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks. Privileges can be granted at various levels: account, database, schema, or individual object level. When granted at higher levels, privileges cascade down to contained objects.
The ACCOUNTADMIN role is the top-level administrative role with full access to all objects. SECURITYADMIN manages security-related tasks including granting privileges. SYSADMIN typically owns warehouses and databases.
Future grants allow administrators to pre-define privileges that will be automatically applied to objects created in the future within a specific schema or database. This simplifies access management for new objects.
Understanding object ownership and access control is essential for maintaining data security, ensuring proper data governance, and implementing effective access policies within your Snowflake environment.
Object Ownership and Access in Snowflake
Why Object Ownership and Access is Important
Understanding object ownership and access is fundamental to Snowflake security and administration. It determines who can create, modify, delete, and use database objects. Proper management of ownership ensures data governance, prevents unauthorized access, and maintains organizational security standards. For the SnowPro Core exam, this topic frequently appears in questions related to access control and security.
What is Object Ownership?
In Snowflake, every securable object has an owner. The owner is typically the role that created the object. Ownership grants full control over the object, including the ability to:
• Grant and revoke privileges on the object to other roles • Alter or drop the object • Transfer ownership to another role
By default, the role that creates an object becomes its owner. Only a single role can own an object at any given time.
How Object Ownership Works
Creating Objects: When a role creates a database, schema, table, view, or any other object, that role automatically becomes the owner.
Ownership Privileges: The owner has all privileges on the object by default. These privileges cannot be revoked from the owner - they are inherent to ownership.
Transferring Ownership: Use the GRANT OWNERSHIP command to transfer ownership from one role to another. The syntax is:
GRANT OWNERSHIP ON [object_type] [object_name] TO ROLE [new_owner_role];
Revoking from Owner: You cannot revoke privileges from an object owner. To change access, you must transfer ownership first.
Key Concepts for Access Control
• ACCOUNTADMIN can manage ownership of any object in the account • SECURITYADMIN can grant privileges but managing ownership requires appropriate permissions • Child objects do not automatically inherit the same owner as parent objects • When a schema is created, the creating role owns it, separate from who owns the database
Managed Access Schemas
In a managed access schema, the schema owner (and ACCOUNTADMIN) controls all privilege grants on objects within the schema. Object owners in managed access schemas cannot grant privileges on their own objects - centralized control is enforced.
Future Grants
Future grants allow you to define privileges that will be automatically applied to new objects as they are created. This helps maintain consistent access control as your environment grows.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Object Ownership and Access
1. Remember the default owner: The role that creates an object is always the initial owner. Questions often test this fundamental concept.
2. Ownership cannot be revoked: If a question asks about revoking all privileges from an owner, remember this is not possible. Ownership must be transferred instead.
3. Know GRANT OWNERSHIP syntax: Be familiar with how to transfer ownership between roles using the GRANT OWNERSHIP command.
4. Managed access schemas are special: In these schemas, object owners lose the ability to grant privileges. The schema owner maintains centralized control.
5. ACCOUNTADMIN supremacy: When questions involve complex ownership scenarios, remember ACCOUNTADMIN has ultimate control over all objects.
6. Watch for role hierarchy questions: Privileges flow through role hierarchy, but ownership does not. Each object has exactly one owner regardless of role relationships.
7. Future grants vs current grants: Understand that future grants apply to objects not yet created, while regular grants apply to existing objects only.
8. Read carefully for managed access: Questions may subtly mention that a schema uses managed access, which changes how privilege granting works.