Integration Best Practices

Topics

Security Considerations

Authentication and Authorization:

  • Use dedicated service accounts with minimal required permissions.

  • Implement API key rotation policies (quarterly rotation recommended).

  • Enable audit logging for all integration activities.

  • Use SSL/TLS encryption for all external communications.

Network Security:

  • Implement network segmentation for integration traffic.

  • Use firewall rules to restrict integration endpoint access.

  • Configure VPN connections for cloud-based integrations.

  • Monitor integration traffic for anomalous patterns.

Data Protection:

  • Encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest.

  • Implement data classification and handling policies.

  • Use secure credential storage (vault systems, encrypted configuration).

  • Regular security assessments of integration endpoints.

Performance Optimization

Resource Management:

  • Configure appropriate timeouts for external API calls.

  • Implement connection pooling for database integrations.

  • Use asynchronous processing for high-volume integrations.

  • Monitor integration performance and scale resources accordingly.

Error Handling:

  • Implement comprehensive error handling and retry logic.

  • Configure dead letter queues for failed message processing.

  • Set up monitoring alerts for integration failures.

  • Maintain detailed logs for troubleshooting.

Operational Excellence

Monitoring and Alerting:

  • Implement health checks for all integration endpoints.

  • Set up performance monitoring and SLA tracking.

  • Configure alerting for integration failures and performance degradation.

  • Create integration-specific dashboards for operational visibility.

Documentation and Change Management:

  • Maintain current integration documentation and diagrams.

  • Implement change control processes for integration modifications.

  • Document troubleshooting procedures and known issues.

  • Regular review and updates of integration configurations.