How would you implement role-based access control (RBAC) in an API?q

Question

Ravi Vishwakarma · Answer

Implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in an API means assigning
permissions based on user roles, so only authorized users can access certain endpoints or perform certain actions.
Overview of RBAC
User → assigned to one or more RolesRole → defines a set of PermissionsPermissions → control access to API endpoints/actions
Common Roles Example
Role
Permissions
Admin
All access
Manager
View and edit users
User
View own profile only
Implementation Steps
1. Design Your Role Model
In your database:
Users
  └── UserId, Email, PasswordHash
Roles
  └── RoleId, Name
UserRoles
  └── UserId, RoleId
2. Assign Roles to Users
Assign one or more roles to a user during registration or via admin panel.
3. Add Role Claims in JWT
During token generation:
var claims = new Listandlt;Claimandgt;
{
    new Claim(ClaimTypes.Name, user.Email),
    new Claim(ClaimTypes.NameIdentifier, user.Id.ToString()),
    new Claim(ClaimTypes.Role, "Admin") // or from database
};
var token = new JwtSecurityToken(
    claims: claims,
    expires: DateTime.UtcNow.AddHours(1),
    signingCredentials: creds
);
4. Secure Endpoints by Role
Use [Authorize(Roles = "Admin")]:
[Authorize(Roles = "Admin")]
[HttpGet("api/admin/data")]
public IActionResult GetAdminData()
{
    return Ok("Only admins can access this.");
}
You can also secure multiple roles:
[Authorize(Roles = "Admin,Manager")]
5. Check Roles Programmatically
if (User.IsInRole("Admin"))
{
    // do something privileged
}
3. Configure RoleProvider or use ASP.NET Identity
If using ASP.NET Identity, roles are built-in.
Otherwise, implement a custom RoleProvider.
4. Decorate Actions
[Authorize(Roles = "Admin")]
public ActionResult AdminPanel() { ... }
Role-Based Access in API Only (No UI)
For custom logic:
var userRoles = User.Claims
    .Where(c =andgt; c.Type == ClaimTypes.Role)
    .Select(c =andgt; c.Value);
if (!userRoles.Contains("Admin"))
    return Forbid();
Best Practices
Practice
Benefit
Use claims-based JWTs
Simplifies role checks
Keep roles in DB
Easy to update without code change
Limit sensitive routes by role
Reduces attack surface
Log access attempts
For audit/security
Summary
Step
Description
Define roles
Based on business needs
Assign roles to users
Store in DB
Add roles to JWT claims
During login
Protect API routes
With [Authorize(Roles = "...")]
Check roles in code
For custom logic

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How would you implement role-based access control (RBAC) in an API?q

Ravi Vishwakarma

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1 Answers

Overview of RBAC

Common Roles Example

Implementation Steps

1. Design Your Role Model

2. Assign Roles to Users

3. Add Role Claims in JWT

4. Secure Endpoints by Role

5. Check Roles Programmatically

3. Configure RoleProvider or use ASP.NET Identity

4. Decorate Actions

Role-Based Access in API Only (No UI)

Best Practices

Summary

Liked By

Role	Permissions
Admin	All access
Manager	View and edit users
User	View own profile only

Practice	Benefit
Use claims-based JWTs	Simplifies role checks
Keep roles in DB	Easy to update without code change
Limit sensitive routes by role	Reduces attack surface
Log access attempts	For audit/security

Step	Description
Define roles	Based on business needs
Assign roles to users	Store in DB
Add roles to JWT claims	During login
Protect API routes	With `[Authorize(Roles = "...")]`
Check roles in code	For custom logic