How I designed a secure multi-role admin platform with JWT authentication, layered authorization, and role-specific workflows for Project Morpheus. When building an admin tool like Project Morpheus , the biggest security threat usually isn’t an external hacker. It’s Privilege Escalation . In a system with four distinct roles: Admin Warden Auditor Desk Operator how do you ensure that a desk volunteer can’t accidentally—or intentionally—delete audit logs or modify hostel configurations? Here’s how I architected a robust Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) system using React and Express. 1. The "Single Point of Truth" Authentication Model The foundation of the architecture is JWT-based authentication . When a user logs in, the backend issues a signed token containing: userId role hostelId (for Warden accounts) This token is stored in the browser and sent with every API request through the Authorization header.…