How to Secure GraphQL APIs using F5 NGINX

 The widespread acceptance of GraphQL among developers today is a testament to its remarkable ability to streamline data retrieval from multiple sources. By facilitating an efficient data access and aggregation process, GraphQL enables developers to request data precisely from various sources with a single POST request to a single endpoint. This makes it an ideal choice for microservices architectures, as it promotes greater flexibility and agility, which is crucial in any modern business environment.  

However, it's worth noting that although GraphQL is a newer approach to designing APIs, it is not more secure by default. GraphQL has many of the same vulnerabilities faced by REST APIs. Fortunately, F5 NGINX can help safeguard GraphQL APIs against these threats, providing developers with peace of mind and ensuring that data is kept safe and secure at all times.  

How to deploy and secure GraphQL APIs with NGINX

F5 NGINX Plus is an exceptional choice for an API gateway, particularly when combined with  NGINX App Protect WAF for advanced API security protections. You can also use  NGINX Management Suite to monitor API traffic and identify possible threats. With the Security Monitoring module, you can easily monitor your system for potential threats and take proactive measures to ensure its safety. This powerful combination of technologies can provide peace of mind, knowing your system is well-protected and secure. 

 Figure 1: Architecture overview showing NGINX plus as API GW APP Protect WAF 

Watch this demonstration to discover how to deploy and secure GraphQL API using F5 NGINX.

Overview of the demo: 

•  Install and Configure NGINX Management Suite Security Monitoring
•  Deploy NGINX Unit and Install the Apollo GraphQL Server
• Follow the Github Repo to build an Apollo GraphQL server and create your Apollo GraphQL hello app
•  Deploy NGINX Plus as an API Gateway and Install NGINX App Protect WAF
• Test the configuration 

To learn more, please visit our latest blog, Tutorial: Deliver and Secure GraphQL APIs with F5 Nginx.