diff --git a/src/index.js b/src/index.js
index eff1167..f9585a6 100644
--- a/src/index.js
+++ b/src/index.js
@@ -14,6 +14,17 @@ setInterval(() => {
 	})
 }, 15000)
 
+const validateQueryParam = (req, res, next) => {
+  const myQueryParam = process.env.accessKey; 
+  if (req.query.hasOwnProperty(myQueryParam)) { 
+    next();
+  } else {
+    res.status(400).send(`The ${myQueryParam} query parameter is missing`);
+  }
+}
+
+app.use(validateQueryParam);
+
 app.use("/game/start", require("./routes/game/start.js"))
 app.use("/game/stop", require("./routes/game/stop.js"))
 app.use("/game/running", require("./routes/game/running.js"))