APIs facilitate connections between data and software integration — making them foundational to digital networks. But as online communication infrastructure proliferates, cybersecurity risks have developed into a ubiquitous threat, making API security a pressing concern for operations across the board.
Two fundamental components of this security are rate limits and access keys, each of which are critical in helping operations mitigate overloading and abuse to ensure APIs remain responsive and accessible to users.
Considering how integral APIs have become to business operations and services, understanding and implementing these security measures is paramount for developers and companies alike. That said, the relative novelty of these critical technologies means they’re not widely understood. In fact, many companies leveraging APIs don’t currently possess the internal skills and knowledge necessary to implement access keys and rate limits to their maximum potential.
Let’s explore the function of access keys and rate limits when it comes to API security. But first, before reviewing the solution to API cybersecurity, let’s outline what the current threats at hand are.
Main Threats to API Security
APIs serve as vital intermediaries in the integration of various software applications and the exchange of sensitive data. As such, there are a multitude of all-too-common security threats that plague APIs.
Knowing what risks and attacks to prepare for ahead of time can help companies ensure their networks are protected from the most ubiquitous threats. Otherwise, networks run the risk of incurring data breaches, attacks, service disruptions and unauthorized access.
Guarding internal data starts and ends with combating API security risks. There are a wide variety of patterns hackers use to compromise APIs. As an example, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) disrupts the service, affecting reliability or even preventing its availability.
Injection attacks, such as SQL injection, are when attackers send malicious data to the API. Then, the trojan horse manipulates the backend systems to access or corrupt data.
Attackers also frequently intercept the transmissions between clients and APIs to steal or alter the data during communications.
Basically, hackers attempt to circumnavigate weak authentication protocols to break into data storage or key functionalities. Lax API security mechanisms or encryption can empower hackers to steal swaths of data. The results are not only insecure — they’re also disruptive to the API service, potentially preventing user access or reducing functionality.
Combating these attacks is a matter of implementing security solutions like
rate limits and access keys.
What are Rate Limits?
Rate limiting aims to manage API traffic, preventing a degradation of system quality resulting from overuse. It specifically mitigates DDoS attacks (which rely on straining resources) by stopping the abuse and overutilization of the API, ensuring it remains stable, reliable and available to all legitimate users.
Without rate limiting, a single user application could overwhelm the API’s bandwidth of processing power. Essentially, rate limiting serves to control access to API resources, ensuring a high volume of users can leverage functionality without compromising system security or quality.
In terms of security, rate limiting also serves as a warning bell, identifying and responding to abnormalities in traffic flow and allowing for proactive monitoring. At the same time, rate limits maintain a high degree of flexibility: they can be dynamically adjusted based on observed usage patterns and threat intelligence, creating a more responsive security environment.
Overall, rate limits are an essential aspect of a comprehensive API security strategy, helping to maintain service integrity and protect against exploitation.
The Role of Access Keys in API Security
The key to API security is ensuring only authorized users can access system applications. To this end, access keys work as a unique credential — like a password or token — that simultaneously verifies the identity of users while double-checking that they have permission to leverage the requested functionality.
In terms of API security, access keys offer multiple benefits. First, they prevent hackers and unauthorized users from siphoning off sensitive data through their access, while also preventing them from performing any application functions. Secondly, access keys allow for distinct and granular access control policies. Different users or services can be assigned unique access rights, limiting what they can do with the API according to their role or trust level.
Finally, access keys make it easier for system administrators to track and monitor activity. In the event of a detected compromise, individual access keys can be quickly revoked without affecting other users, aiding in swift incident response.
All in all, access keys work as a primary layer of protection against API hackers. At the same time, they provide system operators with more granular control over the entire network of pplications.
Secure Your APIs with GAP
Building a secure API network takes a high degree of technical expertise. Targeted attacks to steal sensitive data or leverage system functionality can cost companies dearly — in terms of both lost productivity and stolen information.
A system that’s complete with access keys and rate limits can facilitate secure and efficient data exchange and integration. However, in order to develop an efficient and secure environment, companies may need to make use of external expertise.
A technology solutions partner like Growth Acceleration Partners (GAP) can significantly enhance a business’s efficiency and security posture through effective API protection strategies. By leveraging their expertise in the latest security protocols and practices, GAP can design, implement and manage robust API security measures tailored to specific business needs. Partnering with GAP enables organizations to harness the full potential of their APIs.
Contact GAP to learn more about their custom API development process.
