Cedar is an open source policy language and evaluation engine designed to enhance access control mechanisms in applications. Targeted at developers and organizations, it allows for the creation of precise authorization policies that are separate from application logic, thereby improving security and maintainability. Cedar supports various authorization models, including role-based and attribute-based access control, which facilitates comprehensive policy definitions. Its emphasis on readability and performance ensures that policies are both easy to understand and efficient in execution.

The platform enables fast and scalable real-time evaluation of policies, which are indexed for quick retrieval and low-latency processing. Cedar also includes analyzer tools that help in optimizing policies and verifying the effectiveness of the security model. Suitable for a wide range of users, from small businesses to enterprises, Cedar integrates seamlessly with services like Amazon Verified Permissions and AWS, making it a versatile choice for access control solutions.