Is Your App at Risk? Enhancing API Security

In the 2024 API Security Report, organizations are urged to prioritize securing their API estates as API usage expands. As APIs become increasingly critical to business operations, the risks of unprotected APIs grow. This report emphasizes API security strategies to safeguard sensitive data and mitigate potential breaches.

Key Findings:

• Rapid growth and diverse environments: The average organization now manages 421 different APIs, with most hosted in public cloud environments. Despite this growth, a significant number of APIs—particularly those that are customer-facing—remain unprotected.
• Evolving API uses and security needs: As APIs increasingly connect to AI services like OpenAI, the security model must adapt to cover both inbound and outbound API traffic. Current practices largely focus on inbound traffic, leaving outbound API calls vulnerable.
• Fragmented responsibility for API security: The report reveals a divided responsibility for API security within organizations, with 53% managing it under application security and 31% through API management and integration platforms. This division can lead to gaps in coverage and inconsistent security practices.
• High demand for programmable security solutions: Respondents ranked programmability as the most valuable API security capability, underscoring the need for real-time inspection and response to API traffic and threats.

Improve API Security by Design

One of the key recommendations is to integrate security from the API design phase. According to the report, “80% of organizations begin API security in the design phase.” Moreover, 59% of organizations incorporate security at every stage of the API lifecycle. This proactive approach ensures APIs are fortified against vulnerabilities from inception.

Incorporating secure development lifecycle (SDLC) practices, as adopted by 87% of organizations, plays a pivotal role. This strategy aligns with modern application security, emphasizing that securing APIs throughout their lifecycle is crucial. By embedding security early on, businesses can stay ahead of potential threats, ensuring their API traffic remains secure.

Address Outbound API Traffic Challenges

The report highlights a significant shift in API security, focusing on outbound traffic as well as inbound. While traditional security models are designed to protect inbound API calls, modern apps increasingly rely on outbound API calls. These calls, often linked to AI services like OpenAI, present new security challenges. Expanding security to cover both inbound and outbound traffic is crucial for mitigating these risks. Organizations are encouraged to adopt comprehensive solutions that protect all API traffic.

Invest in Comprehensive API Protection

Interestingly, while many organizations leverage multiple security solutions, only a small percentage secure operational workflow APIs. These APIs, which automate crucial business processes, are often left unprotected. The report notes that “only one-third of organizations use any service to protect these APIs,” highlighting a critical gap in API security strategies.

Future API Security Actions

This report underscores the need for businesses to strengthen their API security strategies as API usage continues to grow. Integrating security early in the API lifecycle and addressing both inbound and outbound traffic will help companies protect against modern threats. As APIs become a key enabler of AI and digital services, securing them is crucial for long-term success. Adopting comprehensive, real-time API security aligns with global trends and helps businesses meet both regulatory requirements and customer expectations. This proactive approach to API security ensures that companies stay ahead of emerging risks in an increasingly interconnected world.