An API Security Assessment Questionnaire is an important tool for evaluating the security of an organization's APIs. Below are 30 questions that can be included in an API Security Assessment Questionnaire to help identify security risks and vulnerabilities.
- What is the purpose of the API?
- What data or services does the API provide access to?
- What is the API's intended audience?
- Is there a documented security policy for the API?
- How is API access controlled and authenticated?
- How are API keys managed and distributed?
- Is the API endpoint protected by SSL/TLS?
- What encryption algorithms and protocols are used to protect API data in transit?
- How are sensitive data and credentials transmitted over the API?
- How are error messages handled and returned to the client?
- Is the API protected against CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) attacks?
- Is the API protected against SQL injection attacks?
- Is the API protected against XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attacks?
- Are there any known vulnerabilities in the API or its dependencies?
- How is the API protected against DoS (Denial of Service) attacks?
- How is the API monitored for security threats and incidents?
- Are there any third-party APIs or integrations that the API relies on?
- How are third-party APIs or integrations authenticated and authorized?
- How is API usage tracked and audited?
- How is API versioning handled?
- Are there any restrictions or rate limiting on API usage?
- How are API logs and access data stored and protected?
- Is there a backup and disaster recovery plan for the API?
- How are API changes tested and verified before deployment?
- What is the process for reporting and responding to API security incidents?
- Is there a bug bounty program in place for the API?
- How are security patches and updates to the API implemented?
- How are API security risks and vulnerabilities identified and mitigated?
- What security certifications or standards does the API comply with?
- How are API security practices and policies communicated to developers and users?
By answering these questions, an organization can gain a better understanding of the security posture of their APIs and identify areas for improvement. It is important to conduct API Security Assessments regularly to ensure that security risks and vulnerabilities are addressed and that the APIs remain secure over time.
