APP / APP-05
API architecture and security implementation
Design or fix API controls so each client accesses only authorised data and actions. The project covers identity, business authorisation, validation, quotas and traceability.
WHEN IT HELPS
A focused response
to a defined need.
Partner API launch, tenant separation, mobile application, business-to-business integration or a penetration test revealing authorisation flaws.
SCOPE & OUTCOMES
What the engagement covers.
Scope
- Endpoint inventory
- authentication
- object/action-level permissions
- input validation
- secrets
- usage limits
- logging
- versions
- positive/negative tests
- partner documentation
Deliverables
- Authorisation model
- agreed configurations and fixes
- integration specification
- automated tests
- quota policies
- revocation procedure
- operations guide
Acceptance evidence
Cross-role and cross-tenant tests pass; unauthorised actions are rejected server-side; secrets are revocable; quotas are tested; logs are useful without unnecessary data exposure.
DELIVERY
How the work is structured.
Approach
Understand architecture; select risks and requirements; integrate or verify controls; test; hand over to teams and plan regression checks.
Prerequisites & responsibilities
Customer: code, architecture, developers, test environment and pipeline access. Provider: expertise and checks; code remediation only when included.
Scope factors
Applications, languages, repositories, dependencies, roles, pipelines, volume and depth. Separate tooling licenses, remediation development and maintenance.
Questions to clarify
Who calls the API and for which account? Where is data ownership checked? How can one partner be revoked without disrupting others?
IMPORTANT BOUNDARIES
An API gateway does not necessarily know every business permission. Controls must operate at the correct layer; a valid token does not authorise access to all data.
Controls apply to agreed versions and scope. No scanner, SBOM or framework alone guarantees the security of delivered software.
IN PRACTICE
Illustrative situations.
These examples describe possible engagements and target outcomes. They are not customer references or achieved results.
Scenario 01
A portal lets several partners view orders. Project: enforce object-level authorisation and test separation. Target outcome: each partner sees only its orders regardless of identifiers supplied in requests.
Scenario 02
A mobile application uses an overly powerful shared key. Project: redesign identity and restrict server-side permissions. Target outcome: attributable and revocable access; merely hiding a key in the app is not accepted as sufficient protection.
Technology and reference context
References: OWASP API Security and ASVS; identity solutions and gateways compatible with the architecture, without dependence on one brand.
The final technology set is agreed during scoping, based on interoperability, licensing, access rights and operating requirements.
CONNECTED SERVICES
Build the next step.
These services can complement the engagement. They are not automatically included.
START A CONVERSATION
Make the scope clear.
We will clarify the objective, dependencies and responsibilities of this service before proposing delivery.