As API usage intensifies, so does the risk associated with potential breaches, turning the spotlight onto API security. Recent research by FireTail, a disruptor in API security, indicates that 2023 is on track to be a record year for API breaches.
APIs are the conduits enabling our digital lives, and their security is crucial. Over 83% of internet traffic today involves API calls, a figure that is expected to rise. The growing demand for secure and reliable APIs is a testament to their integral role in modern digital infrastructure. However, this widespread use of APIs also presents an expanded attack surface for malicious actors.
According to Corey J Ball, an API security expert, the growing use of web APIs necessitates a shift in perspective regarding application security. Ball emphasizes that techniques not specifically calibrated to web APIs can result in false-negative findings, leaving vulnerabilities undetected.
This underscores the need for specialized methods for API security. FireTail's unique hybrid approach to API security has shown promise in this regard. The company provides an open-source library for enforcing API security at runtime, a SaaS platform for bridging the gap between application teams and security teams, and unique logging capabilities for auditability, observability, and monitoring.
However, addressing API vulnerabilities isn't just about having the right tools. Ball insists that API security should be an integral part of the design process, with regular security tests and monitoring programming calls for misuse and attacks.
APIs have become a popular attack vector, partly due to their internet-facing nature and the potential for compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Ball explains, "The lesson here is that the right tools and techniques must be applied when testing APIs."
Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for organizations to improve their API security posture. Resources and standards around API security, like the top 10 API vulnerabilities published by the Open Source Web Application Project (OWASP), are gradually taking shape. Also, experts like Ball are sharing their knowledge through books and online courses to help prevent the next API-related data breach.
The main lesson is that maintaining API security requires creating a culture of security, which begins with the design phase and continues through routine monitoring and testing.
As digital landscapes evolve, so must our approach to API security. Adopting a proactive and informed stance on API security is no longer optional - it's a necessity.
