Give the most important security considerations when designing and developing API
Here are 16 best security practices to consider when desiging and implementing APIs:
1. Authentication – Verifies the identity of users accessing APIs.
2. Authorization – Determines permissions of authenticated users.
3. Data Redaction – Obscures sensitive data for protection.
4. Encryption – Encodes data so only authorized parties can decode it.
5. Error Handling – Manages responses when things go wrong, avoiding revealing sensitive info.
6. Input Validation & Data Sanitization – Checks input data and removes harmful parts.
7. Intrusion Detection Systems – Monitor networks for suspicious activities.
8. IP Whitelisting – Permits API access only from trusted IP addresses.
9. Logging and Monitoring – Keeps detailed logs and regularly monitors APIs.
10. Rate Limiting – Limits user requests to prevent overload.
11. Secure Dependencies – Ensures third-party code is free from vulnerabilities.
12. Security Headers – Enhances site security against types of attacks like XSS.
13. Token Expiry – Regularly expiring and renewing tokens prevents unauthorized access.
14. Use of Security Standards and Frameworks – Guides your API security strategy.
15. Web Application Firewall – Protects your site from HTTP-specific attacks.
16. API Versioning – Maintains different versions of your API for seamless updates.
