RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) is an authorization model where permissions are assigned to roles, and users are assigned to roles rather than receiving permissions directly.
RBAC
RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) is an authorization model where permissions are assigned to roles, and users are assigned to roles rather than receiving permissions directly.
Why It Matters
RBAC is the foundation of least-privilege access in team environments. The Verizon 2024 DBIR found that privilege misuse is involved in 20% of breaches. RBAC limits what each team member can do, reducing the blast radius of compromised accounts.
How It Works
Administrators define roles (e.g., admin, developer, viewer) with specific permissions. Users are assigned one or more roles. When a user makes a request, the system checks whether their role grants the required permission.
Best Practices
- Define roles based on job functions, not individuals
- Start with minimal permissions and add as needed
- Review role assignments quarterly
- Separate admin and operational roles
Common Mistakes
- Creating a role per person (defeats the purpose)
- Granting admin to too many users "for convenience"
- Not removing role assignments when people change teams
How ShieldKey Helps
ShieldKey uses RBAC for team management — admins can create keys and tokens, while members can only use tokens assigned to them. Role changes take effect immediately across all Shield Tokens.
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What is RBAC?
RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) assigns permissions to roles rather than individuals. Users receive access by being assigned to roles like "admin", "developer", or "viewer".