Internet facing REST API

[responsys_cm]

We're looking to automate the process of uploading and approving files for an application whitelisting solution.

For machines that are outside the network, I would like them to periodically query a Splunk REST API that is Internet-facing. What is the best way to lock that down? Have an independent Splunk instance in the DMZ with a single saved search to run the query I want against the central server -- either as a search head or using its REST API?

How would one make that as secure as possible?

Thanks.

Craig

[martin_mueller]

A great way to generally secure things is to not have internet-facing APIs at all, instead to establish a VPN or SSH tunnel and then to access the now "local" API.

[responsys_cm]

True. But that's another level of complexity. I want remote machines to poll the API for instructions. Scripting a VPN connection or SSH connection is complexity I'd prefer to avoid if I can lock the API down sufficiently.

[araitz]

I would advise putting the REST API behind a reverse proxy, which can help you load balance between many Splunk servers, provide centralized authentication, and perfom basic filtering and throttling.