Secure GraphQL with Tyke

  • Implementation of authorization mechanisms for GraphQL endpoints.
  • Utilization of field-based permissions to secure schemas.
  • Application of query depth limiting to prevent denial of service attacks.
  • Usage of Tyke's built-in security features with no additional plugins required.
  • Creation of policies and keys to regulate API access and permissions.

Securing GraphQL endpoints is crucial for protecting sensitive data and ensuring that only authorized users access specific fields. One effective way to achieve this is by using Tyke, a powerful API management platform known for its comprehensive security features.

When looking to secure GraphQL APIs, it is essential first to implement robust authorization mechanisms. Tyke provides built-in support for various authentication modes, such as authentication tokens, mutual TLS, OAuth 2.0, and JSON Web Tokens (JWTs). These mechanisms help ensure that only users with valid credentials can access the API.

A critical aspect of securing GraphQL schemas is implementing field-based permissions. This feature allows developers to restrict access to specific fields within the schema, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected. With Tyke, configuring these permissions is straightforward, enabling developers to create policies that define which fields users can access and which are off-limits.

Denial of service (DoS) attacks pose a significant threat to APIs, and query depth limiting is an effective strategy to mitigate this risk. By setting a maximum query depth, developers can prevent excessively deep or complex queries that could overwhelm the server. Tyke's query depth limiting feature allows for easy configuration, helping to protect GraphQL services from potential DoS attacks.

One of the standout features of Tyke is its "batteries included" security approach. This means that all necessary security features are built into the platform, eliminating the need for additional plugins. This integrated approach simplifies the process of securing GraphQL endpoints, allowing developers to focus on implementing the necessary security measures without worrying about external dependencies.

Creating policies and generating keys are vital steps in managing access to GraphQL APIs. In Tyke, developers can create policies that define access rights, usage quotas, and rate limits for different API endpoints. These policies ensure that only authorized users can access the API and help prevent abuse by limiting the number of requests a user can make within a specific time frame.

After creating a policy, developers can generate keys that users will use to access the API. These keys are linked to the policies, ensuring that users adhere to the defined access rights and restrictions. Tyke makes it easy to generate and manage these keys, providing a seamless experience for developers looking to secure their APIs.

In practice, securing a GraphQL endpoint with Tyke involves several straightforward steps. First, developers proxy their existing GraphQL service through Tyke, instantly adding a layer of security. Then, they configure the necessary authorization mechanisms and create policies to enforce field-based permissions and query depth limits. Finally, they generate keys and distribute them to users, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access the API.

This process not only enhances the security of GraphQL endpoints but also provides a scalable solution that can adapt to evolving security needs. By leveraging Tyke's comprehensive security features, developers can confidently secure their GraphQL APIs, protecting sensitive data and ensuring optimal performance.

In summary, securing GraphQL endpoints involves implementing authorization mechanisms, utilizing field-based permissions, and applying query depth limits to prevent potential threats. Tyke offers a powerful, integrated solution that simplifies this process, providing robust security features without the need for additional plugins. By creating policies and generating keys, developers can effectively manage API access and ensure that their GraphQL services remain secure and performant.

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If you have existing GraphQL APIs or plan on building them in the future, join us for a 5-minute session to show you how to quickly secure them using Tyk.

This talk has been presented at GraphQL Galaxy 2020, check out the latest edition of this Tech Conference.

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FAQ

The purpose of the lightning talk is to demonstrate how to secure GraphQL endpoints using Tyke in five minutes.

The presenter of the talk is Matt Tanner, a product evangelist at Tyke.

The talk addresses adding authorization and authentication mechanisms, securing the schema to restrict field access to specific users, and protecting against denial of service attacks.

Query depth limiting in Tyke is used to protect against denial of service attacks by restricting the depth of nested queries.

Rate limiting and throttling can be enforced in Tyke by setting per-API limits and usage quotas within policies.

If a query violates the set field-based permissions in Tyke, the system will restrict access to the specified fields and return an error message.

Tyke supports various authentication modes including authentication tokens, mutual TLS, OAuth 2.0, and JWTs.

Tyke secures a GraphQL schema by adding field-based permissions and query depth limiting to prevent unauthorized access and denial of service attacks.

'Batteries included security' means that Tyke provides all necessary security features within its gateway without the need for additional plugins.

Tyke handles unauthorized access attempts by requiring an authentication token and enforcing policies that restrict access based on predefined permissions and limits.

Matt Tanner
Matt Tanner
8 min
02 Jul, 2021

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Video Summary and Transcription
In this video, you'll learn how to secure GraphQL endpoints using Tyk in just five minutes. The talk covers adding authorization, securing the schema, and protecting against denial of service attacks. Tyk offers various authentication modes like authentication tokens, mutual TLS, OAuth 2.0, and JOTS. It also supports rate limiting, throttling, and query depth limiting. The process is demonstrated using the TrevorBlades countries API. You'll see how to generate API keys, create policies, and set field-based permissions. The video also explains how to use Tyk with Docker Compose for easy setup. By adding an authorization header with the API key, you can access the GraphQL proxy playground. The depth limit feature is shown by running nested queries, ensuring the API is secured efficiently.

1. Introduction to Securing GraphQL Endpoints

In this lightning talk, we will explore how to secure your GraphQL endpoints in five minutes using Tyke. We will address problems such as adding authorization, securing the schema, and protecting against denial of service attacks. Tyke provides batteries included security, eliminating the need for additional plugins. We will demonstrate the process by securing the TrevorBlades countries API through Tyke's proxy.

2. Securing GraphQL Endpoints

We support various authentication modes such as authentication tokens, mutual TLS, OAuth 2.0, and JOTS. To access the API, keys need to be generated and a policy created. The policy includes settings for rate limiting, throttling, and query depth limiting. Field-based permissions can be set to restrict access to specific fields. Finally, keys are added to the policy, and the GraphQL proxy playground can be accessed through the API.

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