Building Secure APIs with Authentication

Security is paramount when building APIs. This guide covers essential authentication patterns.

Authentication Methods

1. API Keys

Simple and effective for server-to-server communication:

const apiKey = request.headers.get("x-api-key");
if (!validateApiKey(apiKey)) {
  return unauthorized();
}

2. JWT Tokens

Perfect for user authentication:

const token = jwt.sign({ userId }, secret);

Best Practices

• Always use HTTPS
• Implement rate limiting
• Store secrets securely
• Validate all inputs
• Use proper CORS settings

Conclusion

Proper authentication is crucial for API security. Choose the right method for your use case.