1. Secure API Design

  • Use HTTPS: Always enforce TLS encryption for data in transit 📡
  • Validate Inputs: Sanitize all user inputs to prevent injection attacks 🛑
  • Rate Limiting: Implement throttling to mitigate DDoS risks ⚙️
  • Least Privilege: Grant minimal permissions required for each endpoint 🗝️
API Security Encryption

2. Authentication & Authorization

  • OAuth 2.0: Prefer token-based authentication for web services 🌐
  • JWT: Use JSON Web Tokens for stateless session management 🔐
  • API Keys: Rotate keys regularly and scope them to specific endpoints ⚙️
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable for critical endpoints 🧾

3. Data Protection

  • Data Masking: Anonymize sensitive fields in responses 🧾
  • Encryption: AES-256 for at-rest data and TLS for in-transit 🧮
  • Secure Headers: Set Content-Security-Policy and X-Content-Type-Options 📜
  • Input Validation: Use schema validation (e.g., JSON Schema) for requests 🧠
Secure API Design

4. Monitoring & Logging

  • Real-Time Alerts: Track anomalous activity via SIEM tools 📊
  • Audit Logs: Retain logs for 180+ days with immutable storage 📁
  • Error Handling: Avoid exposing sensitive info in error messages ❌
  • Vulnerability Scanning: Regularly test for OWASP Top 10 risks 🔍

5. Compliance & Testing

  • GDPR/CCPA: Implement consent management and data portability 📚
  • Penetration Testing: Conduct quarterly security assessments 🛡️
  • Security Headers: Enable X-Frame-Options and X-XSS-Protection 🛡️
  • Dependency Management: Scan third-party libraries for vulnerabilities 🧪

For deeper insights into API security frameworks, visit our Security Overview guide.