Final answer:
MySQL uses a security system based on user roles and privileges to control all connections, queries, and other operations that users can perform. This system enables administrators to assign specific rights to users and tightly control what actions they are allowed to execute within the database.
Step-by-step explanation:
The security system that MySQL uses is based on user roles and privileges. When a user attempts to connect to a MySQL server, perform queries, or execute any other operations, the access is controlled by a sophisticated system that checks and enforces the user's roles and privileges. MySQL's security approach ensures that only authorized users can perform the actions they are granted permission to do and is fundamental to maintaining the integrity and security of the database.
User roles in MySQL define a named collection of privileges. Privileges are specific rights or permissions to perform actions on database objects, such as creating a table or selecting data from a table. A user account can have one or multiple roles, and these roles dictate what the user is able to do within the database. By carefully assigning roles and privileges, administrators can control access at a granular level, shaping the database environment according to security best practices.
An administrator in MySQL can GRANT or REVOKE privileges to control what users can do. When a user attempts to perform an operation, MySQL checks the user's assigned privileges to determine if the action is allowed. For example, to give a user the ability to insert data into a particular table, an administrator would use the GRANT INSERT statement. If later they decide to restrict this action, they would use REVOKE INSERT. This method of security ensures that users perform only the activities necessary for their role within the organization.