Tokenenabled

Tokenenabled is a property or configuration flag used in software systems to indicate that the component accepts and relies on token-based authentication and authorization. When enabled, tokens issued by trusted identity providers can grant access to resources without direct use of usernames and passwords.

In practice, token-enabled components handle bearer tokens, JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), API keys, or other opaque tokens. Tokens are typically issued by an authorization server after a successful authentication and are presented by clients in HTTP requests, commonly in the Authorization header.

Key elements include token issuance, validation, scope and audience checks, and expiration handling. Validation may involve cryptographic verification of signatures, checking issuer and audience fields, and revocation status. Stateless token systems allow horizontal scaling because the server does not need to maintain session state.

Common standards and protocols associated with tokenenabled systems are OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, JWT, and SAML. Implementations may use access tokens for API access, refresh tokens for obtaining new access tokens, and ID tokens to convey user identity in single sign-on flows.

Security considerations include protecting tokens in transit over TLS, safeguarding token storage on clients, minimizing token lifetime, implementing audience restrictions, and providing revocation or token introspection when necessary to mitigate leakage or misuse.

Deployment considerations include proper rotation of keys, using short-lived tokens, supporting token revocation lists, and logging token-related events for auditing. Tokenenabled components are commonly used in API gateways, microservices, cloud platforms, and identity services.

See also OAuth 2.0, JWT, OpenID Connect.