Securing Spring AI: Enterprise-Grade Chatbot Integration for SaaS Platforms

Modern SaaS platforms increasingly require AI-driven features, but direct API integration can introduce serious security vulnerabilities and scalability challenges. This presentation demonstrates how to design and deploy a production-ready Spring AI chatbot with enterprise-grade security using Spring Gateway, OAuth2, and a microservices-based architecture.

Through live demonstrations, we’ll contrast insecure direct API access with a properly secured implementation. You’ll see how to integrate Spring AI with both local (Ollama) and cloud-based (Azure OpenAI) providers while adhering to zero-trust security principles. Key security practices covered include OAuth2 + JWT authentication, rate limiting, CORS protection for secure embedding, and audit logging—all critical for SaaS integration.

Participants will leave with practical knowledge of Spring Gateway design patterns, dynamic AI provider configuration, secure cross-origin embedding techniques, and production-ready monitoring strategies. This session is ideal for Java developers seeking to enhance existing SaaS platforms with AI capabilities without compromising on security or performance.

Technologies: Spring AI, Spring Gateway, Spring Security, OAuth2, Ollama, Docker, Redis, PostgreSQL

About The Presenter
Phillip Hodges brings a unique perspective to software engineering, blending 14 years of computer science education with over 3 years of enterprise software development. Currently serving as Team Lead and Developer at Netsmart, Phillip specializes in Java enterprise applications, microservices architecture, and cloud solutions with AWS and Azure.
Professional Journey:

• Current Role: Team Lead & Software Engineer at Netsmart (2022–Present)

• Leading client portal development and team initiatives
• Architecting enterprise business solutions with Java and GoLang microservices
• Leveraging AWS and Azure services for scalable, resilient system design

• Education & Training: Lead Instructor at LaunchCode (2023–2024)

• Taught Java, JavaScript, Angular, and React to aspiring developers
• Shared agile practices and industry-standard methodologies
• Mentored career changers preparing for software development roles

• Academic Background: 14 years as a Computer Science Educator

• Taught computer science and mathematics to at-risk students
• Founded and led coding competitions and after-school CS clubs
• Certified in K–12 education with specializations in computer science and cybersecurity

Technical Expertise: Java, the Spring ecosystem, AWS, Azure, microservices architecture, team leadership, and solution design. Active in the Kansas City tech community through OperationCode KC and Coffee and Code KC meetups.

"From the classroom to coding: a teacher’s journey into software engineering, fueled by a passion for sharing knowledge and creating solutions that deliver real value to customers."

Agenda:
5:30-6:15 pm Meet, greet & eat!
6:15-6:20 pm Java News
6:20pm Main presentation

After presentation - social hour:
Austins Bar & Grill | South Olathe
2103 E 151st St #2969, Olathe, KS 66062