Secure Front-End Automation Framework: A Novel Approach to Client-Side Data Encryption and Zero Trust API Interaction
Yuliia Horbenko
*
Smartbarrel, National Transport University, 1 Mykhaila Omelianovycha-Pavlenka Str., Kyiv, 01010, Ukraine.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Secure Front-End Automation Framework (SFAF) in enhancing front-end application security and performance compared to traditional web development frameworks. The focus is on client-side encryption and Zero Trust API interactions .and study design was Experimental research design. Regarding to study place Smart barrel, Miami, United States, from September 2024 to March 2025.In this study methodology two web applications were developed. One used a conventional client-server model with standard security protocols, while the other implemented SFAF with advanced client-side encryption and Zero Trust-based API interactions. Automated security testing tools such as OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, and Postman were used to collect data from 60 test instances (30 per group). Key performance indicators included response time, memory usage, CPU load, unauthorized API call attempts, and compliance with OWASP Top 10 security benchmarks. Statistical analysis was conducted using paired-samples t-tests, independent-samples t-tests, and Cohen’s d for effect size. Controlled simulations ensured high internal validity. Commonly exploited web scenarios were used to enhance external validity Applications based on SFAF showed a statistically significant reduction in unauthorized API interaction attempts (p < 0.01) and a 35% improvement in compliance with OWASP Top 10 benchmarks compared to traditional applications. Although a slight increase in average response time (2.7%) and resource consumption was observed, these differences were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Effect size calculations further confirmed the practical significance of the results. The proposed Secure Front-End Automation Framework combines client-side data encryption with Zero Trust API interactions, offering robust security measures that aid industries in meeting critical regulatory compliance standards such thereby enhancing data privacy and minimizing risks associated with unauthorized access. The Secure Front-End Automation Framework significantly enhances front-end security without substantially affecting system performance. It offers a viable solution for developing scalable, Zero Trust-compliant web applications. These findings support adopting SFAF as a foundational approach to modern web application security in response to emerging threats. This study contributes to the academic understanding of client-side security by integrating decentralized encryption models with Zero Trust architecture for developers and policymakers.
Keywords: Client-Side security, web application protection, data confidentiality, zero trust architecture (ZTA), front-end cryptography, token-based