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

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

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

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

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

## Prerequisites{% #prerequisites %}

- AWS Fargate environment
- Python application containerized with Docker
- AWS CLI configured with appropriate permissions
- Your Datadog API key
- Datadog Python tracing library (see [version requirements](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/python/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"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

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

Install the Datadog Python tracing library in your application environment:

```dockerfile
RUN pip install ddtrace
```

Configure and run your service with Datadog:

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

Update your task definition to include the Python agent and App and API Protection configuration:

```json
{
  "containerDefinitions": [
    {
      "name": "your-python-app",
      "image": "your-python-app-image",
      "environment": [
        {
          "name": "DD_APPSEC_ENABLED",
          "value": "true"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_SERVICE",
          "value": "<YOUR_SERVICE_NAME>"
        },
        {
          "name": "DD_ENV",
          "value": "<YOUR_ENVIRONMENT>"
        }
      ],
      "command": [
        "ddtrace-run",
        "python",
        "app.py"
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

{% /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 Python agent and App and API Protection configuration with APM tracing disabled:

```json
{
  "containerDefinitions": [
    {
      "name": "your-python-app",
      "image": "your-python-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>"
        }
      ],
      "command": [
        "ddtrace-run",
        "python",
        "app.py"
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

{% /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 for security signals and vulnerabilities in the [Application Signals Explorer](https://app.datadoghq.com/security/appsec) in Datadog.

## Troubleshooting{% #troubleshooting %}

If you encounter issues while setting up App and API Protection for your Python application, see the [Python App and API Protection troubleshooting guide](https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/application_security/setup/python/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)
