APIs & Microservices

API gateways and service meshes in modern apps In modern applications, you often see both API gateways and service meshes working side by side. An API gateway sits at the edge, facing the internet, and handles north-south traffic. A service mesh runs inside the cluster, guiding east-west traffic between services with built-in security, retries, and observability. They solve different problems, but when used together they improve security, reliability, and visibility. ...

API Security: Guarding Microservices and APIs Microservices change how we build software, but they also widen the attack surface. APIs connect frontend apps, backend services, and partners. A solid security plan keeps data safe and downtime low. Core defenses include: Strong identity and access control using OAuth 2.0 and OIDC, with short-lived tokens and proper audience checks. Mutual TLS (mTLS) for service-to-service communication to verify both ends. A capable API gateway to enforce authentication, rate limits, and traffic shaping. Token validation and signing to ensure tokens are valid and tamper-proof. Least privilege for each service and tight secret management. Beyond those basics, design and operation matter. Use threat modeling at the start of each project. Keep secrets outside code and rotate keys regularly. A service mesh helps manage mTLS and observability when you have many services. ...

API Gateways and Management: Securing and Scaling APIs power modern applications. An API gateway sits in front of a group of services to route requests, translate protocols when needed, and apply policies. This setup makes access simple for clients while giving teams a single place to enforce security and governance. Security features are essential. A gateway provides TLS termination, client authentication, and token validation. It should support OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC), easy certificate management, and the ability to revoke access quickly. By centralizing policy, you reduce risk across all services. ...