Securing Your APIs
APIs are the backbone of modern applications and prime targets for attackers. Proper security is non-negotiable.
Authentication Methods
Use OAuth 2.0 with JWT tokens for authentication. Implement short-lived access tokens and refresh token rotation.
Rate Limiting
Prevent abuse with rate limiting. Implement throttling based on IP, user, or API key to mitigate DDoS attacks.
Input Validation
Validate all inputs against expected schemas. Use libraries like Joi or Yup to enforce validation rules strictly.
Encryption
Use TLS 1.3 for all API communications. Encrypt sensitive data at rest using AES-256. Never transmit secrets in URLs.
API Gateways
Use API gateways for centralized security, monitoring, and access control. Kong, AWS API Gateway, and Azure API Management are popular choices.
Security Headers
- Content-Security-Policy
- X-Content-Type-Options
- X-Frame-Options
- Strict-Transport-Security
Conclusion
API security requires a layered approach. Implement multiple security measures to protect your APIs effectively.