Authentication & Authorization Architecture

Design secure auth systems with OAuth2, SSO, JWT tokens, RBAC, and identity providers

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about authentication & authorization architecture

What is the difference between authentication and authorization?

Authentication verifies who you are (login with username/password, SSO, biometrics), while authorization determines what you can do (RBAC, permissions, policies). Diagram shows separate flows: auth server for identity, policy engine for access decisions, with tokens carrying both identity and permissions.

How does OAuth2 authorization flow work?

User authenticates with authorization server → receives authorization code → exchanges for access token → uses token to access protected resources. Show different flows: authorization code (web apps), implicit (deprecated), client credentials (server-to-server), PKCE (mobile apps). Include token refresh logic.

What is Single Sign-On (SSO) and how is it implemented?

One login grants access to multiple applications. Use SAML or OIDC protocols. Diagram shows user → identity provider (Okta, Auth0, Azure AD) → assertion/token → multiple service providers trust same IdP. Include session management and logout propagation across apps.

How do JWT tokens work in microservices?

Self-contained tokens with encoded user info and permissions, signed by auth server. Show API gateway validates signature → decodes claims → passes to services. Include token expiration, refresh token rotation, and revocation strategies. No database lookup needed for each request.

What is Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)?

Users assigned roles, roles have permissions. Visualize users → roles → permissions → resources. Include hierarchical roles, role inheritance, and dynamic permission evaluation. Show policy decision point (PDP) enforcing access rules before granting resource access.

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