An application programming interface is a method through which applications communicate with each other through a set of rules. When API security is breached sensitive data can be accessed by hackers and individuals. Ensuring that constant API security testing is performed minimizes the risk of such activities.
As API endpoints have become very significant in the digital world, API gateways have emerged as a very common target for malicious attacks. Knowing how to secure such API vulnerabilities has become an important task and going through the API security checklist is a must for all software providers.
Types of API testing
Some forms of API testing include:
- Functional testing involves testing the hardware parameters of specific API functions to ensure they are working well.
- Validation testing involves checking that the correct paths during development were followed in the creation of the API.
- Penetration testing checks for vulnerabilities through scans conducted on code, data, and users by security experts. These scans are conducted to check for loopholes and threats that might have the potential to be exploited.
- Fuzz testing is the process of providing random data into the system to find crashes or errors that might have been forced into the system causing irregular behavior.
When and How to secure API
The increased level of security threats means that constant updates are required for API gateways. Introducing untested code is a security risk in itself as it might contain bugs and create potential loopholes. Releasing updated patches or fixing existing vulnerabilities also implies that a new attack surface can be exposed.
As a developer, you can employ a variety of techniques to reduce, change, or prevent threats from occurring, as well as prevent additional threats from occurring. Ensuring that the new code passes through vigorous security testing before being introduced to existing code or launched is important.
Discovery and inventory
API traffic passes through multiple API requests each day. Having knowledge of all endpoints that exist in the traffic route and registering each for security checks reduces the risk of threats occurring. An analysis of the traffic that passes through and all the parameters, and datatypes included in each request minimizes API endpoint risk.
Design and Development
API testing from the beginning of the design phase and through the development stages also increases the security stance of the application when API security risks occur. Protecting the source code and development frameworks from individuals through access controls limits knowledge about the system to trusted individuals. Protecting this intellectual property is the first step towards a more secure API gateway.
Authentication
API access control is a major factor in protecting your applications from threats. Setting up secure methods for the validation of user input reduces the risk that may affect the integrity of data. Incorporating proven security measures into applications adds another layer of security.
Technology such as multifactor authentication systems that check API keys and user passwords for validity protect the system from threats. Enacting zero trust principles for each user and limiting access times removes the risk that someone might use a credential that already exists to access sensitive data.
Basic authentication methods are no longer enough to secure the API from threats such as SQL injection or the use of made-up access tokens.
Benefits of API Testing
Reducing the time for testing and providing quick releases on API that are useful to the user. Providing easy-to-use applications such as rest API and graph API that have been tested from the beginning of development to when it is initiated for use and launched. Through API testing, the time for release is greatly reduced as there is no need for UI testing.
The costs of testing are lower later. Security checks for APIs are carried out during development and design, reducing the need for testing later. Pen testing and other forms of testing usually cost a great deal and only uncover a few vulnerabilities. Checking API key vulnerabilities earlier, during the development phase, reduces the risk of loopholes arising when the API is implemented. Also, it provides superior security capabilities from development to implementation.