The Ultimate API Security Checklist

We live in a hyperconnected world, and APIs are the backbone of digital communication. They power everything from real-time supply chain updates to automated order processing. As businesses across industries, including the electronics sector, rely more heavily on APIs to share data and integrate systems, the opportunities for attack expand accordingly.

Offering direct access to valuable data and systems, APIs are one of the most targeted entry points for attackers. An unsecured API can lead to serious consequences, making the enforcement of an API integration security checklist a business-critical priority.

Why API Security Matters 

Unlike traditional web applications, which users interact with through a visible interface, such as a website or mobile app, APIs operate behind the scenes. Since they are designed for system-to-system communication, they don’t rely on forms or pages to pass data directly between systems. This creates a unique challenge, leaving the raw functionality of an application exposed, e.g., creating user accounts or accessing inventory data. This exposure becomes a target unless proper security controls are in place. For this reason, API security needs more than firewalls and traditional protections to ensure every exposed endpoint remains secure. 

Here are some examples of why this matters. Traditionally, a human user has to click through a login screen to access data; however, a cyberattacker can use a script to interact with an API directly, skipping the front end entirely. Another scenario involves data access protection. APIs often return structured data (like JSON), which can be easily scraped if access is not controlled. 

In short, APIs may offer speed and flexibility, but that same openness makes them vulnerable if not properly secured. Their direct exposure to powerful backend functions requires a structured layer of protection to keep every exposed endpoint secure.

The Full API Security Checklist

APIs’ ability to seamlessly connect partners across the supply chain also makes them a high-value target for attackers. Unsecured connections can expose sensitive data, damage operations, and erode trust with partners and customers. Therefore, to mitigate these risks, additional layers of protection must be implemented to ensure robust security. The following API security best practices checklist outlines the essential steps to help safeguard system data.

1. Enforce Strong Authentication & Authorization

Authentication and authorization vulnerabilities rank high on the API security integration checklist. Authentication validates the identity of API users, while authorization ensures they can only interact with the resources to which they are authorized. To keep these vulnerabilities secure, avoid using basic authentication whenever possible and opt instead for more secure methods, such as OAuth 2.0 and two-factor authentication. If basic authentication is unavoidable, enforce a strong password policy requiring at least 10 characters, including a random mix of letters, numbers, and special symbols. On the authorization side, implement role-based access control to ensure that users access only the data and functions necessary for their role.

2. Validate and Sanitize All Input

When APIs trust user input without question, they become vulnerable to injection attacks. Therefore, validate incoming data against expected formats, regardless of the privileges assigned to the user submitting it, and sanitize it to remove malicious content, such as embedded scripts or SQL statements. Invalid input should trigger an error and be rejected without further processing. This ensures only well-formed, trusted data reaches your backend systems, reducing the risk of exploits.

3. Use HTTPS and Secure Transport Only

Data exchanges between APIs and consumers should always be encrypted. It’s recommended to enforce HTTPS (TLS 1.2 or higher) across all endpoints to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, packet sniffing, and session hijacking. Also, disable insecure protocols like HTTP and SSL to ensure that communications remain confidential and secure.

4. Apply Rate Limiting and Throttling

Implement rate limiting to control the number of requests that can be made within a defined timeframe, thereby reducing the risk of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or abuse from automated scripts. Throttling limits the number of API calls allowed from a particular client, such as a user, app, or IP address, to help maintain system stability, protect backend resources, and deter forced attacks or attempts at credential stuffing. 

5. Avoid Excessive Data Exposure

APIs should follow the principle of least privilege for both users and the data they return. This cybersecurity best practice provides users, applications, or systems with the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions, and no more. Avoid returning unnecessary data or overly detailed information in responses, including internal IDs, metadata, or debugging data. And finally, implement filtering and field-level access controls to tightly define what information is exposed.

6. Implement Robust Logging & Monitoring

Real-time API traffic monitoring is a vital component of any comprehensive API security testing checklist. It helps detect signs of abuse early, providing the opportunity to respond before serious damage occurs.  Implement logging for all requests and responses to ensure all sensitive data in the logs is masked or redacted. This data can be fed into a monitoring or SIEM platform to flag unusual behaviors, such as unfamiliar IP addresses or sudden spikes in request volume. 

7. Handle Errors Securely

Ensure error messages do not expose internal system details, such as database schemas, stack traces, or file paths. To do so, implement generic error messages for users while logging detailed ones on the server side for debugging. This will limit the information available to attackers trying to map or exploit the system.

8. Conduct Regular Security Testing

Regular security assessments of APIs are critical, including penetration testing and automated vulnerability scans. Testing should focus on common API risks, such as broken authentication, excessive data exposure, and improper asset management. Security testing should be regularly scheduled during both the development and deployment phases.

9. Manage API Versions Securely

Like any technology, outdated API versions can become vulnerable to security risks. Use semantic versioning, clearly document all versions, and establish depreciation timelines. Ensure all outdated versions are securely retired and disabled, and follow up-to-date security protocols for the updated versions.

10. Secure Third-Party Integrations

Third-party integrations introduce additional risk, so vet providers for their security practices and terms before integrating. Again, apply the principle of least privilege to what data external systems can access, and monitor these connections for unusual activity. Remember, even if the vulnerability is tied to a third party, the consequences can still affect your operations.

API Security Tools to Help You Test & Monitor 

There are several tools available to help protect your APIs, including Postman, Burp Suite, and Pynt. When choosing the right tool, it is important to balance ease of use with functionality. Following is a brief rundown on the three options we mentioned:

• Postman is highly accessible and user-friendly, making it ideal for quick functional testing. However, it offers limited deep security scanning.
• Burp Suite delivers manual and automated vulnerability testing. However, it comes with a steeper learning curve, which makes it better suited for experienced security teams.
• Pynt focuses on automating API security testing with minimal setup, providing robust security capabilities in an intuitive and user-friendly format. However, it’s newer, so it may not match the depth of other tools.

Building Stronger APIs for a Safer Supply Chain

As the electronics industry grows increasingly connected, APIs continue to power critical business operations, from real-time data sharing to automated transactions. However, the APIs that are escalating efficiency can quickly become vulnerable entry points for cyber threats without the right security practices. That’s why following a comprehensive API security checklist is critical for protecting sensitive information, ensuring operational stability, and maintaining trust with partners and customers. 

At Orbweaver, API security is built into everything we deliver. With deep expertise in customer-facing API enablement and management, combined with robust security measures such as encryption, strong authentication, and real-time monitoring, we help electronics companies facilitate fast, secure, and scalable digital transactions across their supply chains, resulting in more efficient, agile, and secure operations.

API Security FAQ