In the modern digital landscape, APIs are the connective tissue of the internet, enabling systems to talk to each other, transfer data, and execute complex business logic. However, this ubiquity makes them a prime target for attackers. API Security is no longer just an "add-on" or an afterthought; it is a critical component of software architecture.Recent studies show that API abuses are becoming one of the most frequent attack vectors for data breaches. Unlike traditional web applications, APIs often expose underlying implementation logic and sensitive data endpoints directly, making them vulnerable if not properly secured.Why API Security Matters#
1.
Data Protection: APIs often handle PII (Personally Identifiable Information), financial data, and proprietary business intelligence.
2.
System Integrity: Breached APIs can lead to unauthorized data manipulation or deletion.
3.
Availability: DDoS attacks targeting API endpoints can bring down entire services.
4.
Compliance: Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS mandate strict controls over how data is accessed and transferred.
What You Will Learn#
In this chapter, we will go beyond the basics and dive deep into the mechanisms that keep APIs safe. You will learn about:Core Concepts: The difference between Authentication and Authorization.
Standards: How OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC) actually work.
Tokens: The anatomy of a JSON Web Token (JWT) and how to validate it.
Threats: The OWASP API Security Top 10 vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them.
Encryption: The role of TLS/SSL in protecting data in transit.
Modified atΒ 2025-12-29 04:30:23
