Security Best Practices for Headless Systems

2.1 Headless Systems

Headless systems separate the backend from the frontend, allowing for multiple frontends to utilize a single backend service via APIs.

2.2 Composable Architecture

Composable architecture enables systems to be built and scaled with independent components, allowing for better integration and customization.

3.1 Use HTTPS

Always encrypt data in transit using HTTPS to protect sensitive information from interception.

3.2 API Security

Implement strong authentication and authorization for APIs. Consider using OAuth 2.0 or JWT for secure access.

const jwt = require('jsonwebtoken');

// Example of generating a JWT token
function generateToken(user) {
    return jwt.sign({ id: user.id }, 'your_secret_key', { expiresIn: '1h' });
}

3.3 Rate Limiting

Implement rate limiting on APIs to prevent abuse and denial-of-service attacks.

const rateLimit = require('express-rate-limit');

const limiter = rateLimit({
    windowMs: 15 * 60 * 1000, // 15 minutes
    max: 100 // limit each IP to 100 requests per windowMs
});

// Apply to all requests
app.use(limiter);

3.4 Regular Updates

Keep software and dependencies up to date to mitigate vulnerabilities. Use tools like npm audit to identify outdated packages.

3.5 Input Validation

Validate and sanitize all user inputs to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks.

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const bodyParser = require('body-parser');

app.use(bodyParser.json());

app.post('/submit', (req, res) => {
    const input = req.body.input;
    // Sanitize input
    const sanitizedInput = input.replace(/<[^>]*>/g, '');
    res.send(`Received: ${sanitizedInput}`);
});