Does your application support role-based access control (RBAC) with granular, customizable permissions?
Explanation & Context
Explanation of the Question
This question is asking whether your application has a system in place that allows you to assign specific roles to users, where each role has a unique set of permissions. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a method of restricting system access to authorized users. Instead of giving every user the same level of access, RBAC allows you to define roles with specific permissions and assign these roles to users based on their job functions or responsibilities. Granular, customizable permissions mean that these roles can be finely tuned to allow or deny specific actions within the application.
Why It Matters
Implementing RBAC with granular permissions is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of your application. It ensures that users only have access to the resources and functionalities they need to perform their jobs, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or accidental data breaches. For example, an admin role might have permissions to manage user accounts and system settings, while a regular user role might only have permissions to view certain data or perform specific tasks. This principle of least privilege helps protect sensitive information and system resources from being exposed or modified by unauthorized users.
Example of Evidence
To demonstrate that your application supports RBAC with granular, customizable permissions, you might provide documentation or configuration files that show the defined roles and their associated permissions. Additionally, you could offer screenshots of the application’s user interface where roles are assigned and permissions are managed. Logs or audit trails that show how these permissions are enforced in the application can also serve as evidence. For instance, showing how a user with a "viewer" role can only access certain reports but cannot modify system settings would illustrate the application of RBAC.
Example Responses
Example Response 1
Our application, hosted on Heroku, supports role-based access control (RBAC) with granular, customizable permissions. We have defined roles such as 'Admin', 'Editor', and 'Viewer', each with specific permissions tailored to their responsibilities. These roles are managed through our application's settings, ensuring that users only have access to the features and data necessary for their job functions.
Example Response 2
Our AWS-hosted application features a robust RBAC system with highly granular, customizable permissions. We utilize AWS IAM roles in conjunction with our application's internal role management to ensure that each user has the precise level of access required. This setup allows us to maintain a high level of security while enabling efficient team collaboration.
Example Response 3
Our on-premises software does not utilize role-based access control (RBAC) as it is designed for single-user operation. However, we ensure data security through other means, such as encrypted storage and regular security audits. The concept of RBAC is not applicable in this context due to the nature of our product.

