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API Gateway

Cloudflare API Shield empowers you to use Cloudflare as your API Gateway, providing robust security features, streamlined management tools, and integration with the Cloudflare Developer Platform for building new APIs.​

APIs are fundamental to modern applications but are increasingly targeted by malicious actors. Cloudflare API Shield offers a comprehensive solution to protect, manage, and build your APIs.

  • Enhanced security: Implement robust runtime protection such as JWT validation, mutual TLS (mTLS) authentication, schema validation, and protection against the OWASP Top 10 API Security risks ↗.

  • Efficient management and monitoring: Utilize tools for endpoint management, analytics, and routing to streamline API operations. Highlight risks with Posture Management, and gain visibility with Security Analytics and Security Center Insights.

  • Integrated development: Leverage the Cloudflare Developer Platform to build and deploy new APIs with ease, taking advantage of scalable infrastructure and a suite of developer tools.

Cloudflare as your API Gateway

API security features

  • Protection Against OWASP Top 10 API Security risks: Mitigate common API vulnerabilities, including injection attacks and improper asset management.

Management and Monitoring tools

  • Endpoint Management: Gain visibility into your API endpoints, including discovery of shadow APIs and monitoring of active endpoints.

  • Analytics and logging: Access detailed analytics and logs to monitor API usage, performance, and security events.

  • API Routing: Optimize API performance and reliability with secure routing.

  • Posture Management: Monitor API Authentication status and receive alerts for common API risks.

Build APIs with Cloudflare’s Developer Platform

The Cloudflare Developer Platform ↗ offers a serverless execution environment, allowing you to build and deploy new APIs without the need to manage infrastructure. Its benefits include:

  • Global scalability: Deploy your APIs across Cloudflare's extensive global network, ensuring low latency and high availability. ​

  • Integrated services: Access a suite of services, including storage, databases, and AI tools, to enhance your API functionality.

  • Developer-friendly tools: Utilize modern development tools and frameworks to streamline the API development process. ​

Get started

To begin using Cloudflare API Shield, refer to our Get started guide.

For detailed instructions and additional resources, refer to the Cloudflare API Shield documentation.

By integrating API security, management, and development into a single platform, Cloudflare API Shield provides a comprehensive solution to protect, manage, and build APIs.