Web API Security: Best Practices for Keeping Your Data Safe
Web APIs are the backbone of an organization. They allow third-party companies and clients to access data through an endpoint, which is basically a server along with its interfaces. However, publicly available APIs are risk factors to the API providers. Some well-known and large companies, including Google, Facebook, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others, have been victims of data breaches as a result of API attacks. Therefore, it is important for all organizations, whether large or small, to make their APIs secure, particularly those which are available publicly.
Types of contracts in API design
There are different types of APIs, each with its own set of rules, structures, and constraints that govern its operation.
APIs exchange commands and data, and this requires clear protocols and architectures — the rules, structures, and constraints that govern an API’s operation. Today, there are three categories of API protocols or architectures: REST, RPC, and SOAP. These might be dubbed “formats,” each with unique characteristics and tradeoffs and employed for different purposes. REST is the most commonly used API protocol, and it is designed to be lightweight, scalable, and easy to use. RPC and SOAP are more complex and are used in specific situations where REST is not suitable.
Best Practices
Common problems
Conclusion
Designing a secure web API access involves several potential problems that may arise. However, by implementing the solutions preventing cases above, you can ensure that your API is secure and protected from various types of attacks. It is essential to keep up-to-date with the latest security threats and vulnerabilities and to implement best practices to mitigate them.
