7 Ways to Minimize Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) Security Threats

With the surge in Everything as a Service (XaaS), enterprises are using more Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to ensure seamlessly connect services and ensure smooth information flow. 

Businesses need to integrate various APIs to connect with various in-house and third-party applications to streamline the workflows. However, constantly communicating API exposes the enterprise tech stack to various cyber threats and risks.

A recent report by Gartner forecast that API attacks will be the most frequent attack vectors used by malicious actors by 2022.

Broken object level, user and function level authorization, extensive data exposure, and insufficient logging and monitoring are a few significant API security vulnerabilities. Enterprises need to consider API security as one of their top priorities, aligning them with the development framework to ensure end-to-end security. The DevSecOps team needs to be very vigilant while developing the application programming interfaces to minimize the impact of the threat that it imposes on businesses’ IT infrastructure.

Here are a few ways to strengthen the enterprise API security:

Detect the API vulnerabilities

CISOs should consider evaluating the end-to-end API life cycle to identify the potential vulnerabilities throughout the cycle. After post-evaluation of the API lifecycle, enterprises will be able to spot all the vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can use as a vector to infiltrate the business IT infrastructure. It is essential to look out for bad algorithms and validate them to identify the issue source.

Also Read: Most Enterprises are Unprepared to Face Botnet Attacks on APIs

Utilize tokens to manage API access

Using an access token will enable users to get access to a particular API and raise a request query to access it. Once the system completes the authentication and authorization, it will grant a token to that user’s identity. It is a perfect way to generate trusted identities and allow them to control particular API access and minimize risks. 

Adopt rate limiting

APIs are one of the primary targets of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attackers. CISOs should consider setting rate limits on how and when the API is called to minimize DDoS attacks on the business IT infrastructure. It is one of the most effective ways to throttle connections to create a perfect balance between access and availability. 

Implement a resilient API gateway

Enterprises can integrate API gateways into the enterprise tech stack to execute as an enforcement point for all the API traffic. Businesses should explore, evaluate and choose a robust gateway to enable businesses to authenticate traffic. Moreover, this approach will help businesses to control and analyze the usage of APIs efficiently. 

Embrace service mesh

Similar to the features of API gateways, service mesh technology will add an additional layer of management and control protocol during the route request journey from one to another. Embracing service mesh in the IT infrastructure will help to streamline the workflow, ensure accurate authentication, manage access and implement other security protocols. With the surge in the use of micro services, it is crucial to integrate service mesh to scale the business operations with security. 

Application Programming Interfaces

Designing and implementing a zero-trust network approach will ensure that the IT infrastructure presumes nobody can be trusted. It is a perfect way to manage and grant access to remote users because the security focus is moved from locations to particular users, assets, and resources. 

Also Read: Four Best Practices for Securing APIs from Data Breaches and Attacks

Encrypt data

Enterprises need to integrate Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt data and digital signatures. CISOs should consider encrypting sensitive data to ensure that only the privileged used get access to it. Businesses can analyze their API lifecycle to design a tailored API vulnerability detection and mitigation strategy to ensure smooth operations.