What function does a role serve in Portal for ArcGIS?

In Portal for ArcGIS, a role serves to define user permissions and capabilities, which is fundamental for managing how users can interact with content and resources within the portal. Roles determine what actions a user can perform, such as creating content, editing existing items, and sharing data with others. By assigning different roles, administrators can control access levels and ensure that users have the appropriate permissions their tasks require.

This structure allows for a flexible and secure environment where users with different responsibilities can operate effectively without compromising the integrity of the organization's data and workflows. For example, a role might provide broader capabilities to a data administrator than to a standard viewer, who may only need access to view shared content without editing permissions.

While storage allocation, viewer limits, and data backup are all important aspects of managing an enterprise GIS system, these functions are not directly related to the role mechanism within Portal for ArcGIS. Roles specifically focus on permissions and capabilities, making them a critical element in establishing user governance and operational protocols within the portal.