Why Role-Based Access Control Matters

Building secure applications means different users need different levels of access. RBAC ensures users only see and do what they're authorized for.

Authentication Architecture

JWT Token Strategy

I use a dual-token approach:

• Access Token: Short-lived (15 mins), contains user role and permissions
• Refresh Token: Long-lived (7 days), stored in httpOnly cookie

User Schema Design

const userSchema = new Schema({
  email: { type: String, required: true, unique: true },
  password: { type: String, required: true },
  role: { 
    type: String, 
    enum: ['admin', 'manager', 'employee', 'viewer'],
    default: 'viewer' 
  },
  permissions: [String],
  isActive: { type: Boolean, default: true },
  lastLogin: Date
})

Backend Implementation

Authentication Middleware

I created middleware that verifies tokens and attaches user data to requests:

• Verify JWT signature
• Check token expiration
• Validate user exists and is active
• Attach user object to request

Authorization Middleware

Role-based protection for routes:

const requireRole = (roles) => {
  return (req, res, next) => {
    if (!roles.includes(req.user.role)) {
      return res.status(403).json({ 
        error: 'Insufficient permissions' 
      })
    }
    next()
  }
}

Frontend Implementation

Protected Routes

React Router with role checking:

• Check authentication status on route change
• Redirect to login if not authenticated
• Show 403 page if role insufficient
• Conditional rendering based on permissions

Context API for Auth State

Global authentication context provides:

• Current user data
• Login/logout functions
• Role checking utilities
• Token refresh handling

Security Best Practices

Password Security

• bcrypt hashing with salt rounds of 12
• Password strength validation
• Rate limiting on login attempts
• Account lockout after failed attempts

Token Security

• httpOnly cookies for refresh tokens
• Short expiration for access tokens
• Token rotation on refresh
• Blacklist for revoked tokens

Advanced Features

Permission-Based Access

Beyond roles, implement granular permissions:

• users:read, users:write, users:delete
• posts:read, posts:write, posts:publish
• reports:view, reports:export

Session Management

• Track active sessions per user
• Force logout on password change
• Device fingerprinting for security
• Suspicious activity detection

Testing Strategy

Comprehensive testing for authentication:

• Unit tests for middleware functions
• Integration tests for auth flows
• Security testing with penetration tools
• Load testing for token refresh

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Storing tokens in localStorage (XSS vulnerable)
• Not validating tokens on every request
• Hardcoding roles instead of using database
• Forgetting to check permissions on API level
• Not implementing token refresh properly

Conclusion

RBAC is essential for any multi-user application. The key is balancing security with user experience. Start simple and add complexity as needed.