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Deployment

SSL/TLS for API Services — Securing Your Endpoints

Choose certificates, configure TLS, and apply security best practices for API services.

CertOne1 min read

SSL/TLS certificates are essential to securing API communication. This guide explains how to configure them for API services.

1. API TLS requirements​

1. Security requirements​

  • Protect API communication
  • Prevent data exposure
  • Authenticate the server

2. Performance requirements​

  • Low latency
  • High concurrency
  • Fast handshakes

2. Choosing a certificate​

1. Certificate types​

  • DV certificates: suitable for internal APIs
  • OV certificates: suitable for public APIs requiring verified organization details

2. Domain coverage​

  • API domains
  • Multiple API endpoints
  • Wildcard certificates

3. Configuration​

1. NGINX configuration​

server {
    listen 443 ssl http2;
    server_name api.example.com;
    
    ssl_certificate /etc/nginx/ssl/fullchain.pem;
    ssl_certificate_key /etc/nginx/ssl/privkey.pem;
    
    # Add your API configuration here.
}

2. Load balancer configuration​

Configure TLS termination on the load balancer.

4. Security configuration​

1. Protocol configuration​

  • Use TLS 1.2 or later
  • Enable HTTP/2

2. Security headers​

  • Configure CORS
  • Set security response headers

Conclusion​

API TLS configuration should balance security and performance. Correct certificate and server settings help protect API communication.