Overview
Overview
Updated on 13 Oct 2025

1. What It Is

An API Token Service is a system or component that issues, validates, and manages access tokens for clients (users, apps, or other systems) to securely access APIs.

Instead of passing credentials each time, clients present a token — a short-lived credential — that proves their identity and permissions.

2. Key Functions

Function Description
Token Issuance Generates access tokens (and optionally refresh tokens) after verifying the client or user identity.
Token Validation Ensures a token is authentic, not expired, and has valid permissions before allowing API access.
Token Revocation Invalidates tokens manually or automatically (e.g., if a user logs out or a secret is compromised).
Scope & Permission Management Defines what resources or APIs a token can access.
Auditing & Logging Tracks token usage, expiry, and potential abuse for security and compliance.

3. Benefits

✅ Increases API security (no password sharing)

✅ Enables fine-grained access control via scopes/roles

✅ Supports short-lived tokens (reduces breach risk)

✅ Easy to revoke or rotate without impacting users

✅ Scalable for multi-client or microservice environments