Do you regularly handle customer information, proprietary data, or video streaming content? If so, you’ve probably thought long and hard about data security. After all, it’s not just about ticking boxes for compliance—it’s about building user trust and avoiding the hefty costs that come with data breaches.
Here’s a concerning fact. A staggering 68% of breaches are due to non-malicious human error, often from repeatedly handling and re-entering credentials. So, what’s the solution? Token-based authentication—a flexible, reliable way to manage access to sensitive information securely.
In this post, we’ll explore what token-based authentication is, dive into its use cases, and show you how to leverage it with api.video to keep your data transactions secure.
What is token-based authentication?
Token-based authentication is a protocol that allows users to verify their identity through a unique token, granting access to shared resources without needing to re-enter their credentials each time.
It’s a bit like getting a stamped ticket to a show — you provide your payment details once, receive your ticket, and then you’re free to enter and exit as you please without sharing your payment information again. When the show ends, the ticket expires, and you’ll need a new one for the next event.
Similarly, an access token is issued for a specific purpose and has a set lifespan, making it perfect for securely managing API transactions. Here’s how it typically works:
- Generating tokens: First, you provide your credentials to request a token. Once the server verifies everything, it issues a unique token that grants access to specific resources.
- Using tokens: With the token in hand, you include it in your API requests. This token acts as your proof of identity, allowing the server to check its validity and, if it’s still active, grant access to the data you need.
- Refreshing tokens: Tokens are usually set to expire after a certain period, which limits the risk of indefinite unauthorized access. When your token expires, you can request a new one using a refresh token. This renews your access without requiring you to re-enter your credentials.
Advantages of token-based authentication for APIs
Still wondering if token-based authentication is worth it? Here are some compelling reasons to consider setting it up for your API:
- Security of credentials: Token-based authentication is that extra layer of security that provides for your credentials. Let’s face it—usernames, passwords, and even API keys can be misplaced, forgotten, or even stolen. With bearer token authentication, you only need to enter your API key once to generate the access token. From there, the token takes over, securely granting access to resources while keeping your sensitive information safely out of sight. By minimizing how often sensitive data is transmitted, token-based authentication significantly improves the security of your API interactions.
- Stateless authentication: Token-based authentication is completely stateless, which means the server doesn’t need to keep track of active user sessions. This reduces server load and increases efficiency. This setup makes your system highly scalable, allowing servers to handle more requests without the overhead of managing individual sessions. The result? Faster performance and fewer resources needed to keep everything running smoothly—a win-win for you and your API.
- Limited lifetime: Tokens come with a built-in expiration period, which restricts the time they’re valid. Even if someone intercepts an active token, it’s only valid until it expires, reducing potential risks.
- Revocability: Another powerful aspect of token-based systems is the ability to revoke tokens as needed. If a security threat arises, administrators can instantly revoke tokens, cutting off access immediately. This flexibility ensures that any potential security issues can be swiftly managed.
api.video’s disposable bearer token system
The best part? Setting up token-based authentication with api.video is simple, secure, and streamlined. Our disposable bearer token system provides multiple layers of security and is fully integrated into our client libraries. This means authentication is handled for you—including automatic token renewal—so you can focus on building, not managing credentials.
Our approach breaks down the authentication process into three key components, each designed to enhance security and control:
- Initial API key: Your first layer of security is the initial API key, available in your api.video dashboard. This key is your primary credential, required only once per session to request a disposable bearer token. By using it sparingly, you reduce exposure and keep your sensitive data safe.
- Disposable bearer token: Once you authenticate with your API key, api.video generates a token, valid for a duration of 3600 seconds (one hour). The limited lifespan of this token minimizes any risks from interception or misuse. It’s designed to provide temporary access, so you can feel confident knowing access to your data and video content is restricted.
- Refresh token: To renew access after the bearer token expires, api.video issues a refresh token. This token allows you to request a new bearer token without needing to re-enter your API key. By using the refresh token, you can keep your session active efficiently, minimizing risks while maintaining smooth access to resources.
Want to learn more? Take a look at our previous blog post on the benefits of token-based authentication where we discuss what tokens are, how they’re implemented, and share some best practices.
How it works at api.video
Using bearer token authentication with api.video involves two primary endpoints: Get bearer token and refresh bearer token. Here’s how to make the most of our token system for secure, uninterrupted access:
- Retrieve your api.video API key: Log into your api.video dashboard, go to API Keys, and choose either a Sandbox or Production API Key, depending on your needs. You’ll use this key to generate your bearer token.
- Generate a bearer token: Send a request to the
/auth/api-key endpoint with your API key. The API will respond with an access token and a refresh token, which you’ll use to authenticate further requests.
- Authenticate with the token: Use the access token to securely access any of api.video’s endpoints, without needing to re-enter your API key.
- Refresh Your bearer token: When the access token expires, request a new one using the refresh token at the
/auth/refresh endpoint. Each refresh provides a new access and refresh token, keeping your session active without requiring the API key again.
For detailed setup instructions, head over to our documentation on Bearer token authentication to get started.
Use cases for token-based security
For industries where secure, temporary access is essential, token-based authentication is a must-have. Here are a few cases where it truly makes a difference:
-
Paid content: If you’re running a platform with paid content, disposable tokens can stop unauthorized sharing in its tracks. When users pay for exclusive videos, tokens with set expiration times ensure they can’t just share a link or credentials forever.
For instance, on a VOD platform, you can issue a token whenever a user rents a movie. This token might allow access for 24 hours, after which it expires, making sure users can only watch the movie within the timeframe they paid for. This setup protects your content and encourages fair usage.
-
Adult industry: In the adult industry, where strict age restrictions and access controls are non-negotiable, token-based authentication offers a secure, temporary access solution. Once age verification is complete, you can issue tokens that allow authorized access without requiring users to repeatedly share sensitive information or documents.
-
Government or confidential content: For sensitive government documents or confidential corporate data, strong access control is critical to prevent leaks. Token-based authentication enables a temporary, tiered access system where personnel can only view documents they’re authorized to access—and only for a limited time.
-
Video streaming: In live streaming, tokens can help you control who can access the stream and automatically revoke access once the stream ends—making them a great defense against piracy and unauthorized viewing.
-
APIs with high-security requirements: Industries like banking and healthcare demand top-notch security to protect sensitive data. Token-based authentication offers a safer alternative to usernames and passwords, with temporary, role-specific access that’s tightly controlled.
Take a healthcare platform, for example. You might issue tokens to medical professionals for accessing patient records, while administrative staff only have tokens for scheduling data. By tailoring access based on roles and using short-lived tokens, you can ensure that everyone accesses only what they need, enhancing both security and compliance.
To sum it up
Businesses love token-based authentication for its unbeatable security benefits, and users love it because they can finally skip the hassle of re-entering passwords over and over again. So, why not give it a go? Here at api.video, we know that balancing security with user convenience can be challenging, but we believe it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we designed our bearer token authentication system with both in mind, making it ideal for anyone looking to implement token-based authentication in web APIs for handling your video resources.
Ready to see it in action? Get started with a sandbox account and check out our documentation about authenticating with api.video to set it up on your platform. Don’t just read about it—experience the difference yourself!
