Secure Your Marketo API Integrations: Best Practices for Making API Calls

When integrating Marketo with your systems, especially those involving CMS or e-commerce frontends, it's crucial to ensure that your API calls are secure and efficient. A common mistake is testing Marketo API calls directly from the front end/browser, but this approach is fraught with security risks and technical issues. Here’s why you should always use backend solutions like cURL or Postman for testing and making API calls to Marketo.

The Pitfalls of Frontend API Calls

Security Risks

Calling Marketo APIs from the frontend exposes your API access to the public. Anyone who inspects your frontend code can access your API credentials and make unauthorized requests. This exposure can lead to data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, and other security vulnerabilities.

CORS Issues

If your developers encounter Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) errors, it's a clear sign they are making API calls from the frontend. Marketo APIs do not include the necessary Access-Control headers required for browser-based requests, leading to these CORS errors. This is because Marketo APIs are designed to be accessed securely from server-side code, not directly from the browser.

Best Practices for Secure API Calls

Use Backend for API Calls

Always make API calls to Marketo from your backend server. Backend environments are inherently more secure as they do not publicly expose API credentials. Backend solutions also allow for better control and management of API requests, including logging, error handling, and rate limiting.

Testing with cURL and Postman

For testing your Marketo API calls, use tools like cURL and Postman. These tools simulate backend environments, allowing you to test your API requests securely and efficiently. They provide robust features for managing authentication, crafting requests, and handling responses, ensuring your integration is secure before deploying to production.

Token Management

Efficient token management is critical for maintaining the performance and reliability of your integration. Instead of generating a new access token before every API call, cache it along with its expiration time. Only make an API call for a new token when the cached one has expired. This reduces unnecessary calls to the identity endpoint and improves the overall efficiency of your application.

Check out my Marketing Nation community article for a comprehensive overview of Marketo APIs and associated best practices while using them.

TL;DR

Integrating Marketo with your systems requires careful attention to security and best practices. You can protect your API credentials and ensure a smooth, reliable integration by avoiding frontend API calls and using secure backend methods. Tools like cURL and Postman provide a safe environment for testing your API calls, while efficient token management practices can enhance your application’s performance. Prioritize security and efficiency in your Marketo integrations to safeguard your data and deliver optimal results.