Building Secure REST APIs: A Comprehensive Guide

Security isn't a feature you add at the end — it's a foundation you build from the start. Here's our comprehensive approach to API security.

Authentication & Authorization

We implement JWT with refresh token rotation, stored in httpOnly cookies. Short-lived access tokens (15 min) with automatic refresh.

Input Validation

Every endpoint validates input with Zod schemas. Never trust client data — validate everything at the API boundary.

Rate Limiting

Distributed rate limiting with Redis prevents abuse while allowing legitimate traffic patterns.