What is API authorization?

API Authorization is a critical security process for APIs, which determines what an authenticated user or system can do. Unlike authentication, which verifies identity, authorization checks if an authenticated entity has the right to access certain resources or perform specific actions within the API. 

API authorization is crucial to determining what an authenticated entity can do within the API. It requires a well-thought-out implementation strategy that balances security, flexibility, and performance to effectively manage access to resources and actions in the API.

Role of authorization in API security

Authorization is key in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of data accessed through APIs. It ensures that each user or system interacts with the API within their permitted actions, safeguarding sensitive data and functionalities from unauthorized use.

How does API authorization work?

Once a user or system is authenticated, the API’s authorization mechanism comes into play. It involves evaluating the permissions associated with the authenticated entity and determining whether they can perform the requested action. This decision is typically based on factors like user roles, access levels, resource ownership, and sometimes contextual factors like time of access or IP address.

Challenges in API authorization

The main challenges in designing a secure, flexible, and efficient authorization system include accommodating various user types, changing business requirements in addition to scaling effectively to handle increasing requests without losing performance.  Achieving a balance between robust security and user-friendly interfaces is essential.