Security APIs
Security and vulnerability data
This directory lists 26 security APIs. 1 of them require no API key and support CORS, so you can call them directly from browser JavaScript with no backend and no sign-up. Every entry shows whether it needs authentication, serves over HTTPS and allows cross-origin requests, so you can pick one that fits your stack before you read a single doc page.
Best Security APIs for Developers
A security API allows developers to integrate vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence, breach detection, SSL monitoring, and cybersecurity data into their applications. These APIs are essential for building secure software and security operations tooling.
Shodan and Censys lead internet wide device search, mapping exposed hosts and open ports for attackers and defenders alike, while Have I Been Pwned is the free standard for checking breached emails and passwords. GreyNoise and Pulsedive add threat intelligence on scanning IPs without needing a paid seat to start, and HackerOne and Bugcrowd suit teams running a bug bounty program who want reports piped straight into their own tools.
Watch the licensing: several listings in this space, from BinaryEdge to Spyse, were quietly folded into another vendor or shut down outright, so confirm a security provider is still issuing new keys before you build on it.
What to check before you pick one
- Data freshness: Threat intelligence APIs must update continuously to reflect the latest vulnerabilities and indicators of compromise.
- CVSS scoring: Vulnerability APIs should include CVSS v3 severity scores to help you prioritize remediation efforts.
- False positive rate: Evaluate each API's false positive track record before integrating into automated security pipelines where incorrect blocks cause disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are security APIs?
Security APIs provide programmatic access to vulnerability databases, threat intelligence feeds, SSL certificate data, breach detection services, and cybersecurity scanning tools for building secure applications and security dashboards.
Is there a free CVE vulnerability database API?
Yes. The NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD) API is free and provides access to the complete CVE dataset including severity scores, affected products, and remediation information.
How do I check if an email was in a data breach using an API?
The Have I Been Pwned API allows you to check email addresses against a database of known data breaches. The basic breach check endpoint is free and does not require an API key.