API Security

APIs, or application program interfaces, are vital tools for businesses in all industries. The importance of APIs from a technical standpoint, they allow the capabilities of one computer program to be used by another. They are a means by which two different programs are able to communicate.

Lately though, the term API is most often used to describe a particular kind of web interface. These Web APIs are a set of rules for interacting with a webserver (such as a Salesforce server), with the most common use case being data retrieval.

What is API Security?

API security can be explained as an overarching term that involves the implementation of processes and strategies intended to mitigate the vulnerabilities and security risks of APIs.

Generally, most API developers recognize the importance of adhering to API security principles because they do not want to ship a bad API. However, some of them lack sufficient skills in proper API development, are tempted to look for shortcuts to meet aggressive deadlines, or just fail to apply the API security rules. Consequently, such pitfalls may lead to serious risks: vulnerable APIs.

The Need for API Security

As cyberattackers continue to take advantage of vulnerable people, processes, and technology, they are also expanding their operations beyond the usual targets. Nothing appears to be outside of their jurisdiction, and no one is 100% safe from their malicious campaigns. Although organizations are making progress in protecting themselves, as soon as one attack vector is thwarted, another quickly becomes exposed.

API Security Checklist

• Authentication - Authentication ensures that your users are who they say they are. Hackers that exploit authentication vulnerabilities can impersonate other users and access sensitive data.
• Limit Requests
• Force Encryption
• Enforce HTTP Methods
• Perform Content Negotiation
• Validate User-Submitted Content
• Check for trusted sources
• Protect Sensitive Endpoints
• Avoid Using Auto-Incrementing IDs
• Process Data in the Background
• Turn Debug Mode Off