diff --git a/placement/auth.py b/placement/auth.py
index df7dd7b1a..e5f263713 100644
--- a/placement/auth.py
+++ b/placement/auth.py
@@ -28,7 +28,10 @@ class Middleware(object):
         self.application = application
 
 
-# NOTE(cdent): Only to be used in tests where auth is being faked.
+# NOTE(cdent): Only to be used in tests where auth is being faked. This
+# middleware can be used to mimic keystonemiddleware auth_token middleware,
+# which is important for building API protection tests without an external
+# dependency on keystone.
 class NoAuthMiddleware(Middleware):
     """Require a token if one isn't present."""
 
@@ -46,12 +49,15 @@ class NoAuthMiddleware(Middleware):
         token = req.headers['X-Auth-Token']
         user_id, _sep, project_id = token.partition(':')
         project_id = project_id or user_id
-        if user_id == 'admin':
+        if 'HTTP_X_ROLES' in req.environ.keys():
+            roles = req.headers['X_ROLES'].split(',')
+        elif user_id == 'admin':
             roles = ['admin']
         else:
             roles = []
         req.headers['X_USER_ID'] = user_id
-        req.headers['X_TENANT_ID'] = project_id
+        if not req.headers.get('OPENSTACK_SYSTEM_SCOPE'):
+            req.headers['X_TENANT_ID'] = project_id
         req.headers['X_ROLES'] = ','.join(roles)
         return self.application
 
diff --git a/placement/policies/base.py b/placement/policies/base.py
index 1e728a37f..4d2bf5f29 100644
--- a/placement/policies/base.py
+++ b/placement/policies/base.py
@@ -13,6 +13,12 @@
 from oslo_policy import policy
 
 RULE_ADMIN_API = 'rule:admin_api'
+# NOTE(lbragstad): We might consider converting these generic checks into
+# RuleDefaults or DocumentedRuleDefaults, but we need to thoroughly vet the
+# approach in oslo.policy and consume a new version. Until we have that done,
+# let's continue using generic check strings.
+SYSTEM_ADMIN = 'role:admin and system_scope:all'
+SYSTEM_READER = 'role:reader and system_scope:all'
 
 rules = [
     # "placement" is the default rule (action) used for all routes that do
diff --git a/placement/policies/resource_provider.py b/placement/policies/resource_provider.py
index e751b6fde..8c1a48cf2 100644
--- a/placement/policies/resource_provider.py
+++ b/placement/policies/resource_provider.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #    under the License.
 
 
+from oslo_log import versionutils
 from oslo_policy import policy
 
 from placement.policies import base
@@ -23,62 +24,103 @@ SHOW = PREFIX % 'show'
 UPDATE = PREFIX % 'update'
 DELETE = PREFIX % 'delete'
 
+DEPRECATED_REASON = """
+The resource provider API now supports a read-only role by default.
+"""
+
+deprecated_list_resource_providers = policy.DeprecatedRule(
+    name=LIST,
+    check_str=base.RULE_ADMIN_API
+)
+deprecated_show_resource_provider = policy.DeprecatedRule(
+    name=SHOW,
+    check_str=base.RULE_ADMIN_API
+)
+deprecated_create_resource_provider = policy.DeprecatedRule(
+    name=CREATE,
+    check_str=base.RULE_ADMIN_API
+)
+deprecated_update_resource_provider = policy.DeprecatedRule(
+    name=UPDATE,
+    check_str=base.RULE_ADMIN_API
+)
+deprecated_delete_resource_provider = policy.DeprecatedRule(
+    name=DELETE,
+    check_str=base.RULE_ADMIN_API
+)
+
+
 rules = [
     policy.DocumentedRuleDefault(
-        LIST,
-        base.RULE_ADMIN_API,
-        "List resource providers.",
-        [
+        name=LIST,
+        check_str=base.SYSTEM_READER,
+        description="List resource providers.",
+        operations=[
             {
                 'method': 'GET',
                 'path': '/resource_providers'
             }
         ],
-        scope_types=['system']),
+        scope_types=['system'],
+        deprecated_rule=deprecated_list_resource_providers,
+        deprecated_reason=DEPRECATED_REASON,
+        deprecated_since=versionutils.deprecated.WALLABY),
     policy.DocumentedRuleDefault(
-        CREATE,
-        base.RULE_ADMIN_API,
-        "Create resource provider.",
-        [
+        name=CREATE,
+        check_str=base.SYSTEM_ADMIN,
+        description="Create resource provider.",
+        operations=[
             {
                 'method': 'POST',
                 'path': '/resource_providers'
             }
         ],
-        scope_types=['system']),
+        scope_types=['system'],
+        deprecated_rule=deprecated_create_resource_provider,
+        deprecated_reason=DEPRECATED_REASON,
+        deprecated_since=versionutils.deprecated.WALLABY),
     policy.DocumentedRuleDefault(
-        SHOW,
-        base.RULE_ADMIN_API,
-        "Show resource provider.",
-        [
+        name=SHOW,
+        check_str=base.SYSTEM_READER,
+        description="Show resource provider.",
+        operations=[
             {
                 'method': 'GET',
                 'path': '/resource_providers/{uuid}'
             }
         ],
-        scope_types=['system']),
+        scope_types=['system'],
+        deprecated_rule=deprecated_show_resource_provider,
+        deprecated_reason=DEPRECATED_REASON,
+        deprecated_since=versionutils.deprecated.WALLABY),
     policy.DocumentedRuleDefault(
-        UPDATE,
-        base.RULE_ADMIN_API,
-        "Update resource provider.",
-        [
+        name=UPDATE,
+        check_str=base.SYSTEM_ADMIN,
+        description="Update resource provider.",
+        operations=[
             {
                 'method': 'PUT',
                 'path': '/resource_providers/{uuid}'
             }
         ],
-        scope_types=['system']),
+        scope_types=['system'],
+        deprecated_rule=deprecated_update_resource_provider,
+        deprecated_reason=DEPRECATED_REASON,
+        deprecated_since=versionutils.deprecated.WALLABY),
     policy.DocumentedRuleDefault(
-        DELETE,
-        base.RULE_ADMIN_API,
-        "Delete resource provider.",
-        [
+        name=DELETE,
+        check_str=base.SYSTEM_ADMIN,
+        description="Delete resource provider.",
+        operations=[
             {
                 'method': 'DELETE',
                 'path': '/resource_providers/{uuid}'
             }
         ],
-        scope_types=['system']),
+        scope_types=['system'],
+        deprecated_rule=deprecated_delete_resource_provider,
+        deprecated_reason=DEPRECATED_REASON,
+        deprecated_since=versionutils.deprecated.WALLABY),
 ]
 
 
diff --git a/placement/policy.py b/placement/policy.py
index 4701468c2..96ca66634 100644
--- a/placement/policy.py
+++ b/placement/policy.py
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@ def authorize(context, action, target, do_raise=True):
     except policy.PolicyNotRegistered:
         with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
             LOG.exception('Policy not registered')
+    except policy.InvalidScope:
+        raise exception.PolicyNotAuthorized(action)
     except Exception:
         with excutils.save_and_reraise_exception():
             credentials = context.to_policy_values()
diff --git a/placement/tests/functional/fixtures/gabbits.py b/placement/tests/functional/fixtures/gabbits.py
index 53a8413e9..79e3d6075 100644
--- a/placement/tests/functional/fixtures/gabbits.py
+++ b/placement/tests/functional/fixtures/gabbits.py
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ def setup_app():
 class APIFixture(fixture.GabbiFixture):
     """Setup the required backend fixtures for a basic placement service."""
 
+    # TODO(stephenfin): Remove this once we drop the deprecated policy rules
+    _secure_rbac = False
+
     def start_fixture(self):
         global CONF
         # Set up stderr and stdout captures by directly driving the
@@ -72,6 +75,11 @@ class APIFixture(fixture.GabbiFixture):
         self.conf_fixture.setUp()
         conf.register_opts(self.conf_fixture.conf)
         self.conf_fixture.config(group='api', auth_strategy='noauth2')
+        self.conf_fixture.config(
+            group='oslo_policy',
+            enforce_scope=self._secure_rbac,
+            enforce_new_defaults=self._secure_rbac,
+        )
 
         self.placement_db_fixture = fixtures.Database(
             self.conf_fixture, set_config=True)
@@ -748,3 +756,19 @@ class OpenPolicyFixture(APIFixture):
 
     def stop_fixture(self):
         super(OpenPolicyFixture, self).stop_fixture()
+
+
+class SecureRBACPolicyFixture(APIFixture):
+    """An APIFixture that enforce secure default policies and scope."""
+
+    _secure_rbac = True
+
+
+# Even though this just configures the defaults for enforce_scope and
+# enforce_new_default, it's useful because it's explicit in saying we're
+# testing old policy behavior. We can remove this once placement removes its
+# deprecated policies.
+class LegacyRBACPolicyFixture(APIFixture):
+    """An APIFixture that enforce deprecated policies."""
+
+    _secure_rbac = False
diff --git a/placement/tests/functional/gabbits/resource-provider-legacy-rbac.yaml b/placement/tests/functional/gabbits/resource-provider-legacy-rbac.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d9de51e0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/placement/tests/functional/gabbits/resource-provider-legacy-rbac.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+---
+fixtures:
+  - LegacyRBACPolicyFixture
+
+vars:
+  - &project_id $ENVIRON['PROJECT_ID']
+  - &system_admin_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: admin,member,reader
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+    openstack-system-scope: all
+  - &system_reader_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: reader
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+    openstack-system-scope: all
+  - &project_admin_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: admin,member,reader
+    x-project-id: *project_id
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+  - &project_member_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: member,reader
+    x-project-id: *project_id
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+  - &project_reader_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: reader
+    x-project-id: *project_id
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+
+tests:
+
+- name: system admin can list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.resource_providers: []
+
+- name: system reader can list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.resource_providers: []
+
+- name: project admin can list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.resource_providers: []
+
+- name: project member cannot list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 200
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: system reader cannot create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  status: 204
+
+- name: project admin can create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: project member cannot create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: system reader can show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: project admin can show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: project member cannot show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 200
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.name: new name
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: system reader cannot update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project admin can update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 200
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.name: new name
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: project member cannot update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system reader cannot delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project member cannot delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project admin can delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  status: 204
+
+# We tested that system admins can delete resource providers above
diff --git a/placement/tests/functional/gabbits/resource-provider-secure-rbac.yaml b/placement/tests/functional/gabbits/resource-provider-secure-rbac.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0013a291b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/placement/tests/functional/gabbits/resource-provider-secure-rbac.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+---
+fixtures:
+  - SecureRBACPolicyFixture
+
+vars:
+  - &project_id $ENVIRON['PROJECT_ID']
+  - &system_admin_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: admin,member,reader
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+    openstack-system-scope: all
+  - &system_reader_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: reader
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+    openstack-system-scope: all
+  - &project_admin_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: admin,member,reader
+    x-project-id: *project_id
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+  - &project_member_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: member,reader
+    x-project-id: *project_id
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+  - &project_reader_headers
+    x-auth-token: user
+    x-roles: reader
+    x-project-id: *project_id
+    accept: application/json
+    content-type: application/json
+    openstack-api-version: placement latest
+
+tests:
+
+- name: system admin can list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.resource_providers: []
+
+- name: system reader can list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.resource_providers: []
+
+- name: project admin cannot list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project member cannot list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot list resource providers
+  GET: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 200
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: system reader cannot create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project admin cannot create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project member cannot create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot create resource providers
+  POST: /resource_providers
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: $ENVIRON['RP_NAME']
+    uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: system reader can show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: project admin cannot show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project member cannot show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot show resource provider
+  GET: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 200
+  response_json_paths:
+    $.name: new name
+    $.uuid: $ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+
+- name: system reader cannot update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project admin cannot update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project member cannot update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot update resource provider
+  PUT: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  data:
+    name: new name
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system reader cannot delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project admin cannot delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_admin_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project member cannot delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_member_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: project reader cannot delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *project_reader_headers
+  status: 403
+
+- name: system admin can delete resource provider
+  DELETE: /resource_providers/$ENVIRON['RP_UUID']
+  request_headers: *system_admin_headers
+  status: 204