Introduction
API stands for “Application Programming Interface.” It is a set of rules and protocols defining how two software programs can communicate. An API specifies how software components should interact and exchange information, allowing them to work together to perform a task.
APIs are often used to expose the functionality of a software library or framework to other developers, enabling them to build new applications on top of the existing software. APIs can also allow different applications or services to communicate with each other and share data.
APIs are typically implemented using a programming language, and they are usually accessed over a network, such as an internet, using a specific protocol, such as HTTP.
Why Secure API?
There are several reasons why it is essential to secure APIs:
Confidentiality: APIs often expose sensitive data or functionality, such as user information or financial transactions. It is essential to protect this data from unauthorized access or disclosure.
Integrity: APIs can be used to modify data or perform actions. It is essential to ensure that these actions are only performed by authorized parties and that the data is not tampered with during transmission.
Availability: APIs are often used to enable critical business processes, such as e-commerce transactions or customer service. It is essential to ensure that APIs are available and responsive at all times to avoid disruption to the business.
Compliance: Depending on the industry and the data being accessed or modified, there may be regulatory requirements for protecting API access and data.
By securing APIs, organizations can protect their sensitive data and ensure the integrity and availability of their systems while also complying with any relevant regulations.
Steps
- Authentication: This involves verifying the identity of the party attempting to access the API. This can be done using various methods, such as username and password, tokens, or biometric authentication.
- Authorization: This involves determining what actions an authenticated party is allowed to perform. This can be based on the party’s role or permissions, and it is usually enforced using access control lists or similar mechanisms.
- Encryption: This involves using techniques such as SSL/TLS to encrypt the data transmitted between the API and its clients. This helps protect against eavesdropping and tampering.
- Input validation: This involves checking the data passed to the API to ensure it is in the correct format and meets any specified criteria. This can help prevent malicious input that could lead to security vulnerabilities.
- Output encoding: This involves encoding the data returned by the API to prevent injection attacks, where malicious data is returned to the client and executed.
- Rate limiting: This involves limiting the number of requests that can be made to the API within a specific time period. This can help prevent denial of service attacks, where an attacker makes a large number of requests in an attempt to overwhelm the API.
Ref: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/apigateway/latest/developerguide/rest-api-protect.html