5 Tips in Enhancing API Security
When Using OpenAPI Specification
API consumption, especially for business applications, has reached its peak in the past decade. API design is a very fast-growing sector of the tech industry. But as both developers and consumers grow more savvy about the technology, so do less benevolent agents like hackers. Thus, there are challenges that API companies constantly have to meet. What’s the best way to design and implement a secure product? How can the team build the API to shield it from any hack calls made alongside legitimate ones?
Luckily, some of the answers lie in using OpenAPI Specification (OAS, formerly known as the Swagger Specification). OAS is a description format that can help define the particulars of the API’s security, as well as its other functions. By using the format and visualizing OAS documents on a powerful design tool like the Stoplight OpenAPI editor, your API team can achieve the following:
- You can arrive at a unified understanding about security features in the API’s design, by virtue of having a single source of truth.
- You can design and code a well-protected API product.
- You can safely test the API using contract testing tools as the API accumulates more endpoints.
- You can release a product that your clients will have faith in.
That said, this article offers the following tips to bolster API using OpenAPI Specification. Read closely and consider taking this advice.
Review OAS’s Security Schemes
From a technical standpoint, the very first thing you should do is visit OAS’s GitHub repository. Then, you should check out the part of the document that refers to security schemes. This is where you can get your knowledge about how to declare the API’s security features and security requirements using OAS. Then, you can adapt these security definitions for when they’re appropriate to your API’s paths.
Establish Security as a Top Priority within the API Development Team
You may be a developer, a tester, or someone else with a role in the API’s security and operations. Regardless, you should be speaking a common language within the team about how the API’s security infrastructure will be done. OAS can supply you with security bylaws to govern your design process. But it’s up to your team to implement these in the spirit of teamwork, collaboration, and a unified vision for a secure API. Don’t let the API’s security decline in favor of rushing the product to market. Make sure everyone communicates about possible security risks and works to address them.
Design an API with a Topnotch toolset for Better Quality and Security
Consider using a hosted toolset like Stoplight Studio for ease in designing within the OAS framework. This will likely address the learning curve associated with OAS, especially when designing something as intricate as the API’s security measures. With a good design tool, stakeholders will be able to visualize how the API works and what its design entails based on its contract.
Test Your API for Security
During the API testing phase, you’ll want to see if the implementation of API security measures syncs up with the chosen specification. You’ll be able to do that using contract testing. That entails slowly testing parts as the API accrues more endpoints and seeing if they measure up with what’s declared on your OpenAPI document. The process is actually fairly straightforward. If the requests don’t match up, then your API won’t launch. Through contract testing, you’ll be able to discern where the security gaps are and how to troubleshoot them before deployment.
Run Security Audits as the API’s Infrastructure Grows
New, unprecedented security issues may pop up as the API becomes more advanced and closer to its final form. In the later stages, you will want to audit your API for compliance to its OAS security documents. That way, you’ll be able to catch any developing security risks and determine the best latter-stage API security practices.
OAS merits its reputation as the go-to format for RESTful API services. It’s a framework that enables better planning, construction, and implementation of secure APIs. Using OAS and putting a premium on security will ultimately help you build an API product your clients trust. Regardless, you should be speaking a common language within the team about how the API’s security infrastructure will be done.
