| Feature / Option | Signed URL | Signed Cookie | Field-Level Encryption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Restrict access to a single object or a set of objects with a specific URL. | Restrict access to multiple objects in a domain using a single cookie. | Protect specific fields of data throughout the application stack. |
| Access Control | Time-limited and user-specific access to content. | Time-limited access for multiple URLs/resources in a distribution. | Restricts decryption to authorized applications only. |
| Encryption of Data | ❌ No encryption of specific fields. Uses HTTPS for transit. | ❌ No encryption of specific fields. Uses HTTPS for transit. | ✅ Encrypts specific fields before sending them to the origin. |
| Scope | Per URL/object access control. | Per user session for multiple objects. | Per sensitive field in requests/responses. |
| Use Case | Protect specific files, videos, or documents. | Protect multiple related files with a single sign-in process. | Protect sensitive data (PII, payment info, etc.) end-to-end in an application. |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
| Extra Security Layer | No (access control only). | No (access control only). | Yes (data encryption in addition to HTTPS). |
| When to Use | When restricting access to a single object or file. | When restricting access to a set of objects for a user. | When sensitive data must be encrypted and restricted to specific applications. |
Quick exam takeaway:
- Signed URL → per-object access control.
- Signed Cookie → per-user access control for multiple objects.
- Field-Level Encryption → encrypt specific fields for end-to-end security and restricted application access.
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