An independent software module that identifies all use-conditions associated with a resource, searches for the corresponding user attributes, and verifies that a potential user fulfills the use-conditions.

System/research project looking at controlling access (e.g. PKI), but mostly attribute control/authorization (e.g. PMI) using digitally signed certificates. From the project web site: "Akenti is a security model and architecture that is intended to provide scalable security services in highly distributed network environments".