API Security - The Challenges & Latest Developments

API Security - The Challenges & Latest Developments

SUMMARY: Every organization needs API security to protect data and information.

Although today that has not been fully achieved, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

This is being made possible by the latest developments in technology to improve it.

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APIs are a set of functions. It enables applications to access data and connect with external software components, operating systems, or microservices. They give you the authority to request or call to send or receive a message. However, this can create exposure and cause back-end attacks when calling external services or data from an enterprise application.

However, you can use API security to help secure the application against exposure from external services. Below you have all the details you need on challenges and the latest developments of API security.

Main Challenges Facing API Security To be able to solve API security risks, you need what exact challenges do they face. Here are some of the most vital challenges.

-Visibility is essential, and it is lacking in the development process. Shadow and Zombie Apis are mostly hidden but not disabled and can lead to API abuse.

- The Broken Object authorization level access control is prone to attacks through endpoints taking care of object identifiers exposed to APIs. The presence of complicated access control policies, different pecking orders, groups, and roles presents flaws in the authorization. It allows attackers to gain access to other users' and administration resources, risking exposure to sensitive data.

- Incorrect use of authentication techniques allows attackers to temporarily or permanently compromise user identities. If the API cannot identify the client or user, its security is compromised.

- Developers tend to expose excess data for generic implementations without considering individual sensitivity. They expect clients to do data filtering before displaying it to the user.

What are the new developments to improve API security?

A report by Forrester in October 2020 on API insecurity identified things that shift away and expose API to attacks. They include SOAP APIs to OpenAPI AND gRPC, graphic, and adhoc interface. These interfaces are accessed through mobile apps or browsers. It makes applications susceptible to acquiring hacking tools on clients' site inspection.

The need for rapid d development cycles makes it impossible to rely on third-party providers. What is required is an oracle that communicates the risks enterprise applications run when linking with such services.

If an oracle identifies the risks in something known as a reputation score, developers, SecOPs and CISOs can allow connectivity policies. It is for the interchange between the enterprise application and the third-party service. The Policies will reduce exposure to API risks for enterprises using third-party API services.

In addition, a scoring technique for the API service reputation is required to take care of API reputation and implications for enterprise applications and their security. The scoring technique should be used in a DevSecOps environment to develop and host applications.

The scoring system needs the following: 

Detection and evaluation and parameter such as:

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TLS used if available

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Types of certificates

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Host reputation if recorded as spreading malware adware.

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Service operational location-mainly helpful in managing GDPR and other regulatory

Requirements.

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Assigning a score based on information collected.

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Continuously updating scores

Such a scoring system would allow developers to evaluate the cost or risk-benefit of including a third-party API. In addition, it will also help in the adaptation of cybersecurity insurance costs to rise and fall in parallel to the third-party APIs score.