Reading csv file with spark throws [insufficient privelage] error

[chari]

Hello Community,

I have some csv files saved in databricks workspace and want to read them with spark. I make use of the command

df = spark.read.format('csv').load(r'filepath')

However, it throws the error.

org.apache.spark.SparkSecurityException: [INSUFFICIENT_PERMISSIONS] Insufficient privileges:

I own these files as they reside in my workspace. Could you please help me to understand the cause

and a solution for the error ?

Thanks

[Ajay-Pandey]

Hi @chari 

Where you saved the files it in DBFS or an external location such as ADLS, S3 Also, please confirm if you have enabled UC on your workspace or not?

[Kaniz_Fatma]

Hi @chari,  The INSUFFICIENT_PERMISSIONS error you’re encountering in Databricks is related to access control and permissions.

• When using shared clusters in Databricks, especially with Unity Catalog (UC), you need to consider access control differently.
• UC + shared clusters provide robust user isolation, preventing unauthorized data access.
• DBFS (Databricks File System) lacks fine-grained access control, and ADLS (Azure Data Lake Storage) provides access control only at the file level.
• Recommendations:
  • Create external locations for ADLS data and grant corresponding permissions to users.
  • Instead of using DBFS, consider using Unity Catalog Volumes for unstructured data, configuration files, libraries, etc.
  • Migrate data from DBFS to UC Volumes using single-user clusters (a one-time activity)
  • ADLS via abfss:
    • Create external locations for ADLS data.
    • Grant necessary permissions to users for these locations.
  • Unity Catalog Volumes:
    • Use UC Volumes for unstructured data.
    • Migrate data from DBFS to UC Volumes.
  • Avoid DBFS:
    • DBFS is not recommended for non-temporary data.
    • UC Volumes provide better control and isolation.
  • Ensure your cluster configuration aligns with your requirements.
  • While changing to SINGLE_USER mode might be tempting, consider that your setup is shared by multiple users/notebooks.
  • Balancing isolation and access is crucial.
  •  If you’re migrating to Unity Catalog, follow the recommendations above to ensure secure and efficien...

[Lakshay]

If this a UC enabled workspace, you need to provide the right access.