How To Secure A Headless CMS
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
Securing a headless CMS focuses on API security, access control, and data protection. Use API tokens with minimal required permissions, implement rate limiting, enable CORS restrictions to control which domains can access your API, use HTTPS for all API communication, set up role-based access control (RBAC) for editors, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor API usage for anomalies. Since headless CMS platforms don't expose a public-facing admin panel, the attack surface is inherently smaller than traditional CMS platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Secure API tokens: use read-only tokens for public access, restrict write tokens
- Configure CORS to limit API access to authorized domains only
- Implement RBAC with least-privilege principles for all users
- Monitor API usage patterns and set up alerts for anomalous activity