LangChain is a framework in Python designed to facilitate the development of applications powered by large language models (LLMs). It simplifies the creation of agents, chains, tools, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) workflows. LangChain's modular architecture supports the integration of various components, including vector databases, LLMs, and external tools, for building AI applications.
This article provides a comprehensive introduction to the PlainID LangChain Authorizer, covering its general functionality and including instructional code blocks. For additional information on integration and specific use cases, refer to the following related articles:
PlainID LangChain Authorizer: Implementing Access Control
The PlainID LangChain Authorizer is a component that enforces access control policies within LangChain-based AI workflows. It establishes security guardrails to determine user permissions for asking questions, accessing data, or receiving masked responses, based on business policies defined in PlainID.
PlainID provides a specialized integration library (langchain_plainid) to embed policy enforcement directly into LangChain applications without requiring custom logic.
PlainID Guardrails – Security Enforcement Points
PlainID utilizes three guardrails for LangChain-based AI systems:
| Guardrail | Description | Enforcement Type |
|---|---|---|
| Categorizer | Classifies user prompts and verifies if the topic is permitted based on Policies. | Pre-Query |
| Retriever Filter | Filters documents from the vector store based on user permissions. | During Retrieval |
| Anonymizer | Masks or redacts sensitive data in the response based on the user's privileges. | Post-Query |
For more information, see the Langchain Authorizer Integration documentation.
The PlainID LangChain Authorizer offers a robust solution for implementing fine-grained access control within your LangChain-powered applications. Its three key guardrails—the Categorizer, Retriever Filter, and Anonymizer—ensure that LLM interactions are not only intelligent but also secure and compliant.