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The Case Against Token-Based Authorization

cerbos.dev

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Re: The Case Against Token-Based Authorization

#3
post #2

Is that extra database call to get auth status really that costly? Having the client hold any kind of access control is scary to me.

(I lead product at Cerbos[1])

Certainly agree and we have seen a lot of cases of JWT tokens getting bloated with more and more authorization data.

Using JWTs to hold the autheNtication information is a standard now but consuming that and applying fine-grained access controls for authoriZation using that context with a system that can enforce policies is that next step.

Having a dedicated AuthZ system in place that sits after the AuthN layer should put your mind at rest as a good one will provide a central point for all authZ logic which can be managed, tested and audited for every action within a system.

[1] https://cerbos.dev