Secure by Design: Building Authentication and User Management in C#

Authentication and user management are at the heart of every secure application. Whether you're building a public-facing web platform or an internal business tool, the ability to securely register users, protect routes, manage roles, and verify identities is non-negotiable. Secure by Design: Building Authentication and User Management in C# offers a practical, in-depth roadmap to implementing secure, flexible, and scalable authentication systems using ASP.NET Core and C#.
This book is designed for developers who want to build modern applications with robust identity features and best-in-class security practices. It demystifies the authentication process from the ground up—starting with fundamental concepts like user registration and login, and progressing to more advanced topics like role-based access control, JWT token authentication, multi-factor authentication, and social login integration.
You’ll learn how to configure and customize ASP.NET Core Identity to fit real-world business requirements. You'll explore how to structure your user model, hash passwords securely, implement lockout mechanisms, and enforce password policies. You'll also build complete workflows for password reset, email confirmation, and session management. Whether you’re creating your own authentication system or extending the built-in Identity system, this book gives you the tools and knowledge to do it securely and correctly.
As you progress, you'll see how authentication fits into API security, front-end integration, and modern software architecture. The book guides you through securing Web APIs with JWT bearer tokens, implementing refresh token flows, and protecting routes based on claims and roles. It also walks you through adding OAuth-based social login using providers like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. For more advanced scenarios, you’ll learn how to incorporate OpenID Connect or IdentityServer for federated identity and enterprise-scale single sign-on.
Throughout the book, you'll work through real-world examples, practical code snippets, and sample project templates that show exactly how to apply each concept in production-level applications. From building an admin dashboard to managing users and roles to implementing secure API gateways—everything is covered with clarity and precision.
If you're a C# or .NET developer building applications that require authentication, authorization, and user management, this book is your definitive guide. You’ll walk away with the confidence to build secure login systems, protect sensitive data, and manage users at scale.
Whether you're just getting started with ASP.NET Core or you're modernizing a legacy app, Secure by Design gives you a battle-tested foundation in security and identity management using the .NET ecosystem.