Front-End Authorization Strategies

1. Introduction

Front-end authorization strategies are essential for securing applications by ensuring that users can only access what they are permitted to. This lesson focuses on effective strategies to manage authorization in front-end applications, especially when using JWT (JSON Web Tokens) and OAuth protocols.

2. Key Concepts

Key Definitions

Authorization: The process of determining whether a user has permission to access a resource.
JWT: A compact, URL-safe means of representing claims to be transferred between two parties.
OAuth: An open standard for access delegation commonly used for token-based authentication.

3. Authorization Strategies

Various strategies can be employed for front-end authorization:

3.1 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

RBAC assigns permissions to roles, and roles are assigned to users. This simplifies the management of permissions across many users.

Note: Implement RBAC carefully to avoid privilege escalation.

3.2 Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

ABAC evaluates attributes (user, resource, environment) to make access decisions. This allows for more fine-grained control compared to RBAC.

3.3 Token-Based Authorization

Using JWTs for authorization involves the following steps:


1. User logs in and receives a JWT from the server.
2. The JWT is stored in localStorage or sessionStorage.
3. For subsequent requests, the token is sent in the Authorization header.
4. The server verifies the JWT and provides access to the requested resources.

4. Best Practices

Always use HTTPS to prevent token interception.
Limit the lifespan of tokens and refresh them regularly.
Store tokens securely (preferably in memory or secure cookies).
Implement proper error handling for unauthorized access attempts.
Regularly review and update permission levels to comply with the principle of least privilege.

5. FAQ

What is the difference between authentication and authorization?

Authentication verifies who a user is, while authorization determines what resources a user can access.

How can I secure JWTs?

Secure JWTs by using strong signing algorithms (e.g., RS256) and storing them securely on the client-side.

What is OAuth used for?

OAuth is used to allow third-party applications to access user data without sharing credentials, typically for social logins.