CloudTadaInsights
Back to Glossary
Security

API Keys

"A unique identifier used to authenticate and authorize access to Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), typically used to track and control how APIs are being used."

API Keys

API Keys are unique identifiers used to authenticate and authorize access to Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). They serve as a simple form of authentication to track and control how APIs are being used by applications or users.

Key Characteristics

  • Authentication: Provides basic authentication for API access
  • Identification: Identifies the application or user making requests
  • Rate Limiting: Enables rate limiting and usage tracking
  • Access Control: Controls access to specific API resources

Advantages

  • Simple Implementation: Easy to implement and use
  • Usage Tracking: Enables monitoring of API usage
  • Rate Limiting: Allows for request rate limiting
  • Access Control: Controls which applications can access APIs

Disadvantages

  • Limited Security: Less secure than other authentication methods
  • Key Exposure: Risk of exposure through client-side code
  • No Identity: Does not provide user identity information
  • Revocation Difficulty: Difficult to selectively revoke access

Best Practices

  • Store API keys securely, never in client-side code
  • Implement proper key rotation policies
  • Use additional authentication layers when possible
  • Monitor and audit API key usage regularly

Use Cases

  • Third-party service integrations
  • Internal service-to-service communication
  • Basic API access control
  • Usage tracking and analytics