API Security Measures
This document outlines the security protocols and best practices implemented for our Network API to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of your data.
1. Authentication
All requests to the Network API must be authenticated. We utilize industry-standard authentication methods to verify the identity of clients making requests. Please refer to the Authentication guide for detailed information on obtaining and using API keys or tokens.
2. Authorization
Once authenticated, your access to specific API resources is determined by authorization rules. These rules are based on the permissions associated with your API credentials. Unauthorized access attempts will result in a 403 Forbidden response.
3. Transport Layer Security (TLS/SSL)
All communication with the Network API is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 or higher. This ensures that data exchanged between your application and our servers is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. Always ensure your client applications are configured to use secure connections (HTTPS).
4. Input Validation and Sanitization
The API performs rigorous validation and sanitization of all incoming data to prevent common vulnerabilities such as:
- SQL Injection
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- Command Injection
Malformed or malicious input will result in appropriate error responses, typically a 400 Bad Request.
5. Rate Limiting
To ensure fair usage and prevent abuse, the Network API implements rate limiting. Exceeding the allowed number of requests within a specified time window will result in a 429 Too Many Requests response. Detailed information on rate limits can be found in the Rate Limiting documentation.
6. Secure Handling of Sensitive Data
Sensitive information, such as API keys and user credentials, should always be handled with care. Avoid storing these credentials in client-side code or public repositories. For server-side applications, use environment variables or secure secret management systems.
7. Common Security Headers
Our API responses include several security-related HTTP headers to help protect your applications:
Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS): Enforces the use of HTTPS.X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff: Prevents the browser from MIME-sniffing a response away from the declared content type.X-Frame-Options: DENY: Prevents clickjacking attacks by disallowing framing of the API response.Content-Security-Policy (CSP): Helps mitigate XSS and data injection attacks.
8. Auditing and Monitoring
All API access and significant operations are logged for auditing purposes. This allows us to monitor for suspicious activity and respond effectively to any security incidents.
9. API Endpoint Security Considerations
Below are specific security notes for certain API endpoints:
POST /net/api/v1/devices
When creating new network devices, ensure that the provided identifiers are unique and adhere to the specified formats. Unauthorized creation of devices can lead to network instability.
| Parameter | Description | Security Note |
|---|---|---|
device_id |
Unique identifier for the device. | Must be validated for format and uniqueness to prevent spoofing. |
ip_address |
Device's IP address. | Validate against private/public IP ranges to prevent internal network probing. |
PUT /net/api/v1/devices/{id}/configure
Modifying device configurations requires explicit authorization. Ensure that only trusted principals can execute configuration changes, and always validate configuration payloads against known safe schemas.
| Parameter | Description | Security Note |
|---|---|---|
configuration_payload |
JSON object containing new configuration settings. | Sanitize and validate against schema to prevent injection of malicious commands. Check permissions for modifying sensitive settings like firewall rules. |
DELETE /net/api/v1/devices/{id}
Deletion of network devices is a highly sensitive operation. This endpoint is protected by strong authorization checks, requiring administrator privileges. All deletion operations are logged extensively.
| Parameter | Description | Security Note |
|---|---|---|
{id} |
Identifier of the device to delete. | Confirm deletion intent and check user permissions before proceeding. Ensure cascading effects are managed properly. |
10. Staying Updated
We are committed to maintaining a secure API environment. Please subscribe to our security advisories to stay informed about any updates or new security features.