---
title: Set up App and API Protection for PHP 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 PHP > Set up App and API
  Protection for PHP on AWS Fargate
---

# Set up App and API Protection for PHP 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 leverages the [Datadog PHP library](https://github.com/DataDog/dd-trace-php/) to monitor and secure your PHP service. The library integrates seamlessly with your existing application without requiring code changes.

For detailed compatibility information, including supported PHP versions, frameworks, and deployment environments, see [PHP Compatibility Requirements](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/php/compatibility).

This guide explains how to set up App and API Protection (AAP) for PHP applications. The setup involves:

1. Installing the Datadog Agent
1. Enabling App and API Protection monitoring
1. Running your PHP application with the Datadog Agent
1. Verifying the setup

## Prerequisites{% #prerequisites %}

- AWS Fargate environment
- PHP application containerized with Docker
- AWS CLI configured with appropriate permissions
- Your Datadog API key
- Datadog PHP tracing library (see [version requirements](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/php/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": "<YOUR_API_KEY>"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_APM_ENABLED",
          "value": "true"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_APM_NON_LOCAL_TRAFFIC",
          "value": "true"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_SITE",
          "value": ""
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## 2. Enabling App and API Protection monitoring
If your PHP 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 %}

You can enable services with remote configuration on your [services dashboard](https://app.datadoghq.com/security/configuration/asm/setup?services=recommended). 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 PHP library:

Add the following to your Dockerfile:

```dockerfile
# Install dd-trace-php
RUN curl -LO https://github.com/DataDog/dd-trace-php/releases/latest/download/datadog-setup.php
RUN php datadog-setup.php --php-bin=all
# Enable appsec
ENV DD_APPSEC_ENABLED=true
# Configure your service
ENV DD_SERVICE=<YOUR_SERVICE_NAME>
ENV DD_ENV=<YOUR_ENVIRONMENT>
```

{% collapsible-section %}
#### APM Tracing Enabled

Update your task definition to include the PHP application container with App and API Protection configuration:

```json
{
  "containerDefinitions": [
    {
      "name": "your-php-app",
      "image": "your-php-app-image",
      "environment": [
        {
          "name": "DD_APPSEC_ENABLED",
          "value": "true"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_SERVICE",
          "value": "<YOUR_SERVICE_NAME>"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_ENV",
          "value": "<YOUR_ENVIRONMENT>"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_SITE",
          "value": "<span class="js-region-param region-param" data-region-param="dd_site"></span>"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

{% /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 PHP application container with App and API Protection configuration:

```json
{
  "containerDefinitions": [
    {
      "name": "your-php-app",
      "image": "your-php-app-image",
      "environment": [
        {
          "name": "DD_APPSEC_ENABLED",
          "value": "true"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_APM_TRACING_ENABLED",
          "value": "false"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_SERVICE",
          "value": "<YOUR_SERVICE_NAME>"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_ENV",
          "value": "<YOUR_ENVIRONMENT>"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_SITE",
          "value": "<span class="js-region-param region-param" data-region-param="dd_site"></span>"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

{% /collapsible-section %}

## 3. Running 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 PHP application, see the [PHP App and API Protection troubleshooting guide](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/php/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)
