Introduction
Running Netdata MCP servers in production delivers powerful real-time observability but also demands disciplined security. With per-second metrics and distributed processing, a misstep can expose your infrastructure. Here’s how to apply five practical security best practices – including how JuheAPI acts as a secure API proxy with governance – to safeguard your environment.
1. Harden Server Access
Limit Login Methods
- Disable direct root login.
- Restrict SSH access to specific IP ranges.
- Implement key-based authentication over passwords.
Use Strong Authentication
- Deploy multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all server users.
- Integrate with an enterprise identity provider.
- Regularly rotate keys and credentials.
2. Secure API Endpoints
MCP servers often expose endpoints for external integrations. These must be shielded from unauthorized access.
Role-Based Access Control
- Assign permissions per role.
- Deny default public access.
- Map roles to operational needs only.
JuheAPI Proxy for Governance
Using a secure API proxy like JuheAPI ensures:
- Centralized policy enforcement without modifying MCP core.
- Rate limiting and request validation.
- Auditable access logs with governance controls.
- Protection against injection attacks through sanitization.
3. Encrypt Data in Transit and at Rest
TLS for HTTP and WebSocket
- Apply strong TLS 1.2+ for all HTTP and WebSocket connections.
- Use valid CA-signed certificates.
- Renew certificates proactively.
Disk-Level Encryption
- Encrypt local storage where Netdata MCP archives metrics.
- Consider full-disk encryption for physical servers.
- Protect keys in secure vaults, never on the same server.
4. Keep Netdata MCP Updated
Leverage Automated Updates
- Use package manager automation to deploy latest stable versions.
- Monitor Netdata's GitHub for tagged releases.
Monitor for Security Advisories
- Subscribe to Netdata security mailing lists.
- Maintain a quick deployment process for patches.
5. Monitor and Audit Security Posture
Logging and Audit Trails
- Enable verbose logging for all authentication requests.
- Store logs centrally for tamper resistance.
- Rely on JuheAPI logging for API request audit trails.
Continuous Security Review
- Schedule quarterly penetration testing.
- Use Netdata's dashboards to watch for unusual access patterns.
- Employ anomaly detection ML models to identify suspicious metric changes.
Conclusion
Securing your Netdata MCP server is a continuous process: harden access, govern APIs through a proxy, encrypt communications and storage, keep software updated, and audit regularly. JuheAPI integrates smoothly into this workflow, providing governance and security controls without sacrificing Netdata’s performance and real-time capabilities.
Practical Next Steps
- Review current server access configurations.
- Deploy JuheAPI as a secure proxy around MCP endpoints.
- Check TLS configuration against latest best practices.
- Sign up for Netdata security bulletins.
- Implement quarterly audits and automated alerts.