API Authentication Methods Explained: From Keys to Tokens
Blog post from n8n
API authentication verifies the identity behind requests to protected resources, while authorization determines the actions and data that authenticated identity may access. Common approaches include API keys for simple service integrations, Basic Authentication for trusted or legacy systems, mTLS for stronger mutual service verification, HMAC for signed tamper-resistant requests, OAuth 2.0 for delegated or service-based access, JWTs for scalable self-contained signed claims, and OpenID Connect for centralized user sign-in and single sign-on. Each method involves tradeoffs between implementation simplicity, security strength, credential lifecycle management, and revocation capabilities, so selection should reflect trust boundaries, data sensitivity, risk, and operational capacity. Recommended practices include using HTTPS for all requests, validating token signatures and claims on every request, rotating and revoking credentials, enforcing least-privilege permissions, and monitoring authentication activity. n8n is presented as an automation platform that centralizes encrypted credential storage, supports API keys, Basic Auth, OAuth 2.0, bearer tokens, JWT operations, and custom headers, and can automate OAuth token refresh while keeping secrets out of workflows and AI agents.
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