The balance between security and productivity is a constant challenge in managing infrastructure and APIs. Ensuring secure access to resources while preventing unauthorized attempts is critical. The combination of SSH Access Proxies and Secure API Access Proxies offers an effective, centralized way to manage and simplify access security without sacrificing developer velocity.
This blog explores what these tools are, why they matter, and how they can modernize access management.
What is an SSH Access Proxy?
An SSH Access Proxy is a gateway that securely manages and logs SSH connections to servers or resources. Instead of sharing SSH credentials across your teams, this approach centralizes all connections through a proxy.
Key Benefits
- Granular Access Control: Fine-tune who gets access to specific systems and under what conditions.
- Auditing and Logging: Gain full visibility into SSH sessions, including command history. Logs are key to identifying suspicious actions or satisfying compliance requirements.
- Credential Protection: Eliminate credentials being stored locally on developer machines, reducing the attack surface.
What is a Secure API Access Proxy?
A Secure API Access Proxy creates a secure layer between clients and your API endpoints. It authenticates requests, controls access, and prevents potential misuse or attacks.
Key Benefits
- Simplified Authentication: Supports API keys, tokens, and even identity providers for access. This simplifies access without compromising security.
- Rate Limiting: Automatically enforce usage limits, protecting your API from excessive or malicious traffic.
- Request Logging: Audit all API calls to understand patterns and detect anomalies.
Why Combine Both Proxies?
Using an SSH Access Proxy with a Secure API Access Proxy offers end-to-end security for both infrastructure and data. Together, these tools allow administrators to: