API Authentication

Master secure authentication patterns for REST/GraphQL APIs with OAuth 2.0, JWT, API keys, and mTLS. Perfect for enterprise security architects and API developers.

Core Authentication Methods

🔐

OAuth 2.0

Industry-standard protocol for secure delegated access with token refresh, client credentials, and resource owner grants.

  • Supports client ID/secret authentication
  • Token revocation and introspection
  • PKCE for mobile/web flow security
JWT

JSON Web Tokens

Stateless bearer tokens with cryptographic signatures for secure claims-based authentication and cross-service validation.

  • RS256/HMAC signature verification
  • Claims-based access control
  • Token rotation patterns
🔑

API Keys

Simple yet powerful keys for application authentication with automated rotation and quota-based rate limiting.

  • Time-limited and rotating keys
  • Quota tracking with analytics
  • Multi-tenant key management
🛡️

mTLS Authentication

Mutual TLS authentication for machine-to-machine communication with client server certificate validation.

  • Certificate authorities integration
  • Automated certificate rotation
  • PKI-based access control

Authentication Design Patterns

Implement production-grade authentication workflows with enterprise-grade security practices

1

Authentication Layer

Choose authentication strategy based on use case (web service, mobile app, machine to machine).

2

Access Control

Implement fine-grained RBAC/ABAC policies with dynamic entitlements management.

3

Token Management

Create token refresh, revocation, and rotation policies with centralized key management.

Real-World Implementation

JWT Validation Chain

// Validate token signature
const isValid = verifyJWT(token, publicKey)
if (!isValid) throw Error('Invalid signature')

Example JSON Web Token validation using RS256 signature verification with public key infrastructure.

OAuth 2.0 Flow

1. Client → Auth Server
2. Auth Server → Client
3. Client → Resource Server

Standard OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code Flow with PKCE for mobile/web security.

mTLS Handshake

const certs = validateMTLS(
clientCert, serverCert,
caChain
);

Mutual TLS validation with certificate chain verification and automated key rotation.

API Key Validation

if (!hasValidKey(headers.apiKey))
return 401 Unauthorized

Basic API key validation pattern with quota tracking and automated key expiration.

Security Governance

Our authentication system integrates seamlessly with global compliance requirements and security best practice frameworks

GDPR Compliant

Authentication systems follow strict data minimization and encryption requirements.

SOC 2 Ready

All authentication logs and certificate records follow SOC 2 Type II security controls.

Zero Trust Ready

Continuous authentication and least-privilege access patterns for microservices.

Build Enterprise-Grade API Security

Join our certification program to gain official API Security Practitioner credentials with hands-on security validation exercises.

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