Note: This is a part of our API Security series where we solve common developer queries in detail with how-to guides, common examples, code snippets and a ready to use security checklist. Feel free to check other articles on topics such as authentication methods, rate limiting, API monitoring and more.
Authentication and authorization are fundamental concepts in API security. These methods are pivotal in safeguarding data, preventing unauthorized access, and maintaining the integrity and privacy of the information exchanged between applications and their APIs. Let’s discuss these in detail.
API Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system trying to access an API. It ensures that the entity making the request is who they claim to be.
Strong authentication mechanisms, such as API keys or OAuth tokens, are crucial because they provide a secure way to confirm identity, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
API Authorization
Authorization, on the other hand, comes into play after authentication and determines what actions or resources a user or system is allowed to access within the API.
This is where role-based access control and granular authorization shine.
They allow you to define fine-grained permissions, restricting access to only the necessary functions and data, minimizing potential risks.
Knit now allows role-based access control through its User Management feature where you can decide who gets access to what while ensuring managing the health of your integrations as a team via the same dashboard.
Two Factor Authentication 2FA
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before gaining access, typically something they know (like a password) and something they have (like a mobile device or security token).
It significantly enhances security by thwarting unauthorized access even if login credentials are compromised.
Best API authentication protocols
API authentication protocols are the gatekeepers that ensure only authorized users and systems gain access to the valuable resources offered by these APIs.
In this article, we will explore some of the best API authentication protocols that provide both developers and users with the confidence that their data and interactions remain protected in today’s interconnected world.
There are various methods you can use to ensure secure authorization to your API, each with its own strengths and use cases. Below are some of the widely used and effective authentication protocols that you can choose from based on your use case:
P.S. We have included a comparison chart later in this post for you. Keep reading!
1. OAuth (Open Authorization)
OAuth is an industry-standard authentication protocol that allows secure access to resources on behalf of a user or application.
It is commonly used to grant third-party applications limited access to user data from other services(such as social media platforms or cloud storage) without exposing user credentials with the third party.
The core concept of OAuth is the access token. Access tokens are short-lived, temporary credentials that are issued by an OAuth authorization server. These tokens grant limited access to specific resources on the user's behalf. They are used to authenticate and authorize API requests.
It also allows for the specification of scopes, which determine the level of access granted to an application. For example, an application might request read-only access to a user's email or the ability to post on their social media feed.
2. Bearer tokens
Bearer tokens are a simple way to authenticate API requests. They serve as proof of authorization and grant access to specific resources or services. They are typically long, random strings of characters that are generated by an authorization server. They can be cryptographically signed to ensure their integrity and validity.
They are stateless, meaning the server or API that receives the token doesn't need to keep track of the token's status or maintain any session state. The token itself contains the necessary information to determine the scope of access.
A bearer token is included in the request header, and if it's valid, the request is processed without the need for further authentication. It's crucial to protect bearer tokens, as anyone with access to them can use the API.
3. API keys
API keys are often used for authentication, especially for server-to-server communication.
They are a form of secret key that must be included in the API request header to gain access. While simple to implement, they should be handled securely to prevent misuse. They should never be hard-coded into publicly accessible code or shared openly. Instead, they should be stored securely, often in environment variables or a configuration file.
API keys often come with usage limits to prevent abuse. This helps ensure fair use and protects the API server from overloading due to excessive requests from a single key.
4. JSON Web Tokens (JWT)
JWTs are a popular authentication method because of their simplicity, portability, and flexibility. It is a token-based authentication method, as it relies on the exchange of tokens for authentication rather than traditional methods like username and password.
JWTs consist of three parts: a header, a payload, and a signature. The header specifies the type of token and the signing algorithm used. The payload contains claims, which are statements about the user or application. Claims can include user identification, roles, and more. The signature is generated using the header, payload, and a secret key, ensuring the token's integrity.
They can also be configured to include expiration times claims, which enhances security by limiting the token's validity and ensuring it is used only for its intended purpose.
The compact, self-contained nature and support for open standards of JWTs makes them suitable for modern microservices architectures and APIs that require decentralized identity and access control.
5. Basic authentication
Basic Authentication involves sending a username and password in the API request header in the form of Base64-encoded credentials. Base64 encoding is used to obscure the credentials during transmission, however it's not a secure encryption method, as the encoded string can be easily decoded.
To enhance security, it's crucial to use HTTPS (TLS/SSL) to encrypt the entire communication between the client and the server.
While straightforward, it is not the most secure method, especially if not used over HTTPS, as credentials can be easily intercepted.
To summarize:
Choosing the right protocol depends on your specific use case and security requirements, but it's always essential to prioritize strong authentication and granular authorization to safeguard your API effectively.
Make authentication easier
Knit, being a unified API, takes care of all your authentication needs for all integrated accounts. Here's what you can expect from Knit:
- Effortless Authentication: Say goodbye to writing and maintaining authentication code for apps in our catalog. Knit takes care of it all.
- Support for all auth mechanisms: Knit provides robust support for various authentication mechanisms such as basic authentication (username/password), OAuth authentication, API key based authentication. We also handle additional API parameters, such as tenant details and admin IDs, streamlining your integration process.
- Enhanced Token Security: Your data security is our priority. Knit employs double encryption for tokens. We encrypt data at the database level using AES256 and at the application level using AES128. Learn more
- Robust Token Management: Knit automates the refreshing of tokens, removing worries about access token expiration and access scope management.
- Parameter Handling: Knit takes care of handling extra API parameters such as tenant information and admin IDs, simplifying the integration process
- Pass-though API: For apps lacking standard APIs, Knit provides a pass-through API, seamlessly managing authentication, making it easier to work with supported applications.
If you are building multiple integration, unified APIs like Knit can dramatically free up your bandwidth by allowing 1:many connection — with just one API key, you can seamlessly integrate with 50+ application across HRIS, ATS, CRM and Accounting. With an API aggregator like this, the time you would spend building and maintaining your integrations can come down to just a few hours from few weeks or even months.
If ready to build, get started for free or talk to our team to learn more
