Create a User Role

A role is a named set of permissions that decides which parts of the system a user can see and change. When none of the predefined roles line up with what a particular user should be allowed to do, create your own. A custom role lets you hand out exactly the permissions that match someone’s job, and you can build one from a blank slate or start from a role that is already close.

Note

The PBX web portal is the admin site for your phone system (PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange, the on-account phone system that routes your calls). Roles live under Extension and Trunk > Role.

Tip

Grant only the permissions a person actually needs for their job (this is called least privilege). Handing out more access than necessary makes accidental changes and toll-fraud exposure more likely.

Build a role from scratch

1. Sign in to the PBX web portal and open Extension and Trunk > Role.
2. Click Add.
3. In the Role Name field, type a name that makes the role easy to recognize later.
4. Turn on the permissions this role should have. For a full breakdown of what each permission controls, see User Role Permissions.
5. Click Save.

Duplicate an existing role

If a current role is almost what you need, copy it. The new role starts with every permission the original has, and you can adjust from there.

Tip

Copying is usually faster than starting from scratch. Pick the existing role that is closest to what you want, then add or remove a few permissions instead of setting every one by hand.

1. Sign in to the PBX web portal and open Extension and Trunk > Role.
2. Create the copy:
   1. Click Copy Role.
   2. From the Choose a role to copy drop-down, pick the role you want to base the new one on.
   3. In the Role Name field, enter a name that identifies the new role.
   4. Click Save. The new role now carries the same permissions as the one you copied.
3. Fine-tune the permissions on the new role:
   1. In the Role list, click the edit icon next to the role you just created.
   2. Select the permissions you want to add and clear the ones you do not. See User Role Permissions for details on each option.
   3. Click Save.

Caution

Editing a role’s permissions changes access for every user already assigned to that role, not just new ones. Before you clear a permission on a role that is in use, confirm no one still needs it.

Next step

Creating a role does not change anyone’s access on its own. It takes effect only after you assign it to a user.