--- title: Set up App and API Protection for Node.js on AWS Fargate description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring. breadcrumbs: >- Docs > Datadog Security > App and API Protection > Enabling App and API Protection > Enabling App and API Protection for Node.js > Set up App and API Protection for Node.js on AWS Fargate --- # Set up App and API Protection for Node.js on AWS Fargate {% callout %} # Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com {% alert level="danger" %} This product is not supported for your selected [Datadog site](https://docs.datadoghq.com/getting_started/site). (). {% /alert %} {% /callout %} ## Overview{% #overview %} App and API Protection works by leveraging the [Datadog Node.js library](https://github.com/DataDog/dd-trace-js/) to monitor and secure your Node.js service. The library integrates seamlessly with your existing application without requiring code changes. For detailed compatibility information, including supported Node.js versions, frameworks, and deployment environments, see [Node.js Compatibility Requirements](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/nodejs/compatibility). This guide explains how to set up App and API Protection (AAP) for Node.js applications. The setup involves: 1. Installing the Datadog Agent 1. Enabling App and API Protection monitoring 1. Running your Node.js application with the Datadog Agent 1. Verifying the setup ## Prerequisites{% #prerequisites %} - AWS Fargate environment - Node.js application containerized with Docker - AWS CLI configured with appropriate permissions - Your Datadog API key - Datadog Node.js tracing library (see [version requirements](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/nodejs/compatibility)) ## 1. Installing the Datadog Agent Install the Datadog Agent in your Fargate task definition: ```json { "containerDefinitions": [ { "name": "datadog-agent", "image": "public.ecr.aws/datadog/agent:latest", "environment": [ { "name": "DD_API_KEY", "value": "" }, { "name": "DD_APM_ENABLED", "value": "true" }, { "name": "DD_APM_NON_LOCAL_TRAFFIC", "value": "true" } ] } ] } ``` ## 2. Enabling App and API Protection monitoring If your Node.js service already has APM tracing set up and running, you can automatically enable App and API Protection through Remote ConfigurationIf not, enable App and API Protection with the manual configuration instructions.navigation-menu{background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e9ecef;border-radius:8px;padding:20px;margin:20px 0}.nav-container h3{margin-top:0;margin-bottom:15px;color:#333;font-size:1.1em}.nav-list{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0}.nav-list li{margin-bottom:8px}.nav-list a{color:#06c;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500}.nav-list a:hover{text-decoration:underline;color:#049} ### Automatically enabling App and API Protection through Remote Configuration{% #automatically-enabling-app-and-api-protection-through-remote-configuration %} {% alert level="danger" %} APM Tracing cannot be disabled for the time being with remote config. {% /alert %} You can enable remote configuration on your [services dashboard](https://app.datadoghq.com/security/configuration/asm/setup?services=recommended). Simply check the box for the service you want to enable App and API Protection for under "Activate on your APM services". ### Manually enabling App and API Protection monitoring{% #manually-enabling-app-and-api-protection-monitoring %} Ensure your Dockerfile includes the Datadog Node.js library: ```dockerfile FROM node:18-alpine # Install the Datadog Node.js library RUN npm install dd-trace # Copy your application files COPY package*.json ./ COPY . . RUN npm install # Start the application with the Datadog tracer CMD ["node", "--require", "dd-trace/init", "app.js"] ``` {% collapsible-section %} #### APM Tracing Enabled Update your task definition to include the Node.js application container with App and API Protection configuration: ```json { "containerDefinitions": [ { "name": "your-nodejs-app", "image": "your-nodejs-app-image", "environment": [ { "name": "DD_APPSEC_ENABLED", "value": "true" }, { "name": "DD_SERVICE", "value": "" }, { "name": "DD_ENV", "value": "" } ] } ] } ``` {% /collapsible-section %} {% collapsible-section %} #### APM Tracing Disabled To disable APM tracing while keeping App and API Protection enabled, you must set the APM tracing variable to false. Update your task definition to include the Node.js application container with App and API Protection configuration: ```json { "containerDefinitions": [ { "name": "your-nodejs-app", "image": "your-nodejs-app-image", "environment": [ { "name": "DD_APPSEC_ENABLED", "value": "true" }, { "name": "DD_APM_TRACING_ENABLED", "value": "false" }, { "name": "DD_SERVICE", "value": "" }, { "name": "DD_ENV", "value": "" } ] } ] } ``` {% /collapsible-section %} ## 3. Run your application Deploy your Fargate task with the updated configuration: ```bash aws ecs register-task-definition --cli-input-json file://task-definition.json aws ecs run-task --cluster your-cluster --task-definition your-task-definition ``` ## 4. Verify setup To verify that App and API Protection is working correctly: 1. Send some traffic to your application 1. Check the [Application Signals Explorer](https://app.datadoghq.com/security/appsec) in Datadog 1. Look for security signals and vulnerabilities ## Troubleshooting{% #troubleshooting %} If you encounter issues while setting up App and API Protection for your Node.js application, see the [Node.js App and API Protection troubleshooting guide](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/nodejs/troubleshooting). ## Further Reading{% #further-reading %} - [How App and API Protection Works](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/how-it-works/) - [OOTB App and API Protection Rules](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/default_rules/?category=cat-application-security) - [Troubleshooting App and API Protection](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/troubleshooting)