How does an API credential work?
An API credential is usually a long string of characters, called an API key, that your software sends along with each request to a service. The service reads the key, finds the account it belongs to, and bills that account for the work. Nothing else checks who is really sending the request.
AI vendors issue these keys from a dashboard. Anthropic’s Claude Console lets you create keys for yourself, for a service account or for a workspace, and choose when each one expires. OpenAI’s guidance covers the same ideas with projects and optional expiry dates.
Why does an API credential matter for a small business?
A key works for anyone who holds it, so a copy left in a code repository, chat message or shared document is a way into your paid account. The vendor cannot tell a thief’s requests from yours, and the charges go to your account.
Two habits limit the risk: keep keys out of code, and set spending limits on the account. The full steps are in what to do in the first hour after a leak and how to store AI API credentials safely.
Sources
- Anthropic: Authentication(platform.claude.com)
- OpenAI: Production best practices(developers.openai.com)
