--- title: Set up App and API Protection for Python in Kubernetes 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 in Kubernetes --- # Set up App and API Protection for Python in Kubernetes {% 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 %} {% alert level="info" %} You can enable App and API Protection for Python services with the following setup options: 1. If your Python service already has APM tracing set up and running, then skip to service configuration 1. If your Python service doesn't have APM tracing set up, you can easily enable App and API Protection with Datadog's [Automatic Installation](https://docs.datadoghq.com/tracing/trace_collection/automatic_instrumentation/single-step-apm/kubernetes/) 1. Otherwise, keep reading the following manual setup instructions {% /alert %} ## 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 %} - Kubernetes cluster - Python application containerized with Docker - kubectl configured to access your cluster - Helm (recommended for Agent installation) - 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 by following the [setup instructions for Kubernetes](https://docs.datadoghq.com/agent/?tab=cloud_and_container). ## 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 using an init container or in your application's Dockerfile: ```dockerfile RUN pip install ddtrace ``` Configure and run your service with Datadog: {% collapsible-section %} #### APM Tracing Enabled Start your Python application with App and API Protection enabled using environment variables: ```yaml apiVersion: apps/v1 kind: Deployment metadata: name: your-python-app spec: template: spec: containers: - name: your-python-app image: your-python-app-image env: - name: DD_APPSEC_ENABLED value: "true" - name: DD_SERVICE value: "" - name: DD_ENV value: "" 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. Start your Python application with App and API Protection enabled using environment variables: ```yaml apiVersion: apps/v1 kind: Deployment metadata: name: your-python-app spec: template: spec: containers: - name: your-python-app image: your-python-app-image env: - name: DD_APPSEC_ENABLED value: "true" - name: DD_APM_TRACING_ENABLED value: "false" - name: DD_SERVICE value: "" - name: DD_ENV value: "" command: ["ddtrace-run", "python", "app.py"] ``` {% /collapsible-section %} ## 3. Run your application Apply your updated deployment: ```bash kubectl apply -f your-deployment.yaml ``` ## 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)