Security Best Practices
Security is critical when working with AI platforms. This guide covers best practices for protecting your Claro API keys, managing access, and maintaining a secure integration.API Key Management
Creating Secure API Keys
Use Descriptive Names
Create Environment-Specific Keys
- Development - Local testing only
- Staging - Pre-production validation
- Production - Live applications only
Document Key Purpose
Save Keys Immediately
Storing API Keys Securely
Never commit API keys to version control or share them publicly:- Environment Variables
- Cloud Secrets Manager
- CI/CD Secrets
- Docker
Key Rotation
Regular key rotation reduces the risk of compromised keys:Rotation Schedule
Development
Staging
Production
Safe Rotation Process
Create New Key
Deploy New Key
- Update environment variables
- Deploy to staging first
- Test thoroughly
- Deploy to production
Monitor for Issues
- Check error rates
- Monitor authentication failures
- Verify all services updated
Delete Old Key
Emergency Key Rotation
If you suspect a key is compromised:Immediately Create New Key
Quick Deploy
Delete Compromised Key
Audit Access
Notify Team
Access Control
Workspace Permissions
Limit who can create and manage API keys:Permission Levels for API Keys
Permission Levels for API Keys
Service Accounts
For production systems, use service accounts instead of personal accounts:Create Service Account
api-production@company.com)Add to Workspace
Generate API Keys
Document Ownership
Audit Logging
Monitoring API Usage
Track API key usage in the Claro dashboard:Navigate to API Keys
View Usage Statistics
- Last used timestamp
- Total requests
- Error rates
- Usage patterns
Identify Anomalies
- Unexpected spikes in usage
- Requests from unusual locations
- High error rates
- Usage of supposedly inactive keys
Automated Monitoring
Set up alerts for suspicious activity:Secrets Management
Environment-Specific Secrets
Never mix secrets across environments:Secrets in Configuration Files
Never commit secrets to git:OWASP Considerations
Preventing Common Vulnerabilities
Injection Attacks
Injection Attacks
Data Exposure
Data Exposure
- Never include PII in prompts
- Redact sensitive data before logging
- Use environment-specific prompts
- Implement data classification
Insufficient Logging
Insufficient Logging
Missing Authentication
Missing Authentication
Rate Limiting
Rate Limiting
Compliance
Data Privacy Regulations
- GDPR
- CCPA
- HIPAA
- Data minimization - collect only necessary data
- Right to deletion - allow users to delete their data
- Data portability - export user data on request
- Consent management - explicit user consent required
Security Checklist
Development Security
Development Security
- API keys stored in environment variables, never in code
-
.envfiles added to.gitignore - No hardcoded secrets in configuration files
- Sensitive data redacted in logs
- Code review process includes security checks
Production Security
Production Security
- Production API keys different from dev/staging
- Keys stored in secrets manager (AWS/GCP/Azure)
- Regular key rotation schedule (every 90 days)
- Service accounts used instead of personal accounts
- HTTPS enforced for all API calls
- Rate limiting implemented
- Authentication required for AI endpoints
Monitoring & Audit
Monitoring & Audit
- API usage monitored for anomalies
- Security events logged
- Alerts configured for suspicious activity
- Regular access reviews conducted
- Unused API keys deleted
- Audit trail maintained for compliance
Incident Response
Incident Response
- Incident response plan documented
- Emergency key rotation procedure tested
- Security contact information current
- Breach notification process defined
- Regular security training for team
Incident Response
If an API Key is Compromised
Immediate Actions (0-15 minutes)
- Delete compromised key immediately
- Create new API key
- Deploy new key to production
- Alert security team
Investigation (15-60 minutes)
- Review audit logs for unauthorized access
- Identify what data was accessed
- Determine scope of breach
- Document timeline of events
Remediation (1-24 hours)
- Rotate all related credentials
- Update security procedures
- Implement additional monitoring
- Review and update access controls
Post-Incident (1-7 days)
- Conduct post-mortem analysis
- Update documentation
- Train team on lessons learned
- Implement preventive measures
- Notify affected parties if required