What are the essential elements of JWT authentication in API security?

JWT (JSON Web Token) authentication is a crucial security mechanism for APIs. Developers should first understand what JWT is, then implement a simple project with login and logout functionality. It's important to incorporate roles and authentication authorities that control access to resources - like a badge that determines what actions users can perform (read-only, write-only, etc.). JWT works alongside OAuth and Open ID Connect filters to enable custom authentication methods. Security is a comprehensive topic that extends beyond basic authentication to include proper access control that protects application resources based on user permissions. This approach ensures applications remain secure while providing appropriate access levels to different users.