Windows Security API Reference
Explore the comprehensive API reference for Windows security features, enabling you to build secure and robust applications.
Overview
The Windows Security API provides a rich set of functionalities for managing user authentication, authorization, access control, encryption, and other security-related aspects of your applications. This section covers the core components and interfaces available for developers.
Key API Areas
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Authentication APIs
APIs for verifying the identity of users and processes, including Kerberos, NTLM, and certificate-based authentication.
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Authorization APIs
APIs for determining what authenticated users or processes are allowed to do, including Access Control Lists (ACLs) and Security Descriptors.
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Access Control
Detailed information on managing permissions and access rights for objects within the Windows operating system.
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Cryptography APIs
APIs for encryption, decryption, hashing, digital signatures, and certificate management using the Cryptography API: Next Generation (CNG) and CryptoAPI.
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Security Policies
APIs for managing and querying system-wide security policies, such as password policies and audit policies.
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Auditing APIs
APIs for logging security-relevant events to the Windows Event Log for monitoring and forensic analysis.
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Secure Storage
APIs for securely storing sensitive data, such as credentials and cryptographic keys.
Featured Topics
Dive deeper into specific security scenarios and best practices:
- Implementing Secure Credential Management
- Understanding Windows Access Tokens
- Using CNG for Modern Cryptography
- Best Practices for Application Security