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Why API Security must be a top concern?

Typing AI
Typing AI - Jul 26, 2022
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Today most of our lives rely on the cyber world as it brings many functionalities. However, unfortunately, many cyber crimes make things very risky for everyone. While there are different solutions to protect data integrity, API security is one of them. Here you will learn why API security must be a top concern for everyone.

 

What is API Security

 

Many cyberattacks are done on the APIs. So, API security is the practice that prevents attacks on different APIs. APIs play a great part in the backend of applications; their protection is extremely important to protect data storage and transfer.

 

Reasons why API security must be a top concern

 

Security is extremely important, but when we talk about API security, it specifically focuses on the security of APIs used for app development. Below are some reasons why API security must be a top concern in today's digital world:

 

  1. 1. A massive increase in API usage

Development with APIs saves a lot of time; thus, APIs act as the building blocks in almost all modern-day applications where there are repetitive features and functionalities. Today APIs are massively used because they bring benefits like quicker time to market and less development cost.

 

This massive usage and many benefits are why it is important to work on API security. It is because a vulnerability with one API can put a lot of applications at risk.

 

  1. 2. Ignoring API utilization numbers

When working on large projects, the managers can neglect API tracking to keep track of the utilization numbers. It opens doors for several vulnerabilities that can risk the application. With proper API security implemented, these issues will reduce as there will be proper tracking practices to see how API works for the app. 

 

  1. 3. API security solves accountability issues.

Everyone can be held accountable when there is an API issue leading to cybercrime. While the users hold developers accountable, the users themselves can also be held accountable because they used the API without considering any security risks. API security solves this issue because proper security means nobody would be held accountable for anything.

 

  1. 4. Increasing Injection Attacks

Injection attacks are becoming common day by day. Hackers can send a script that allows them access to the software through injection attacks. It not only means a safety hazard for the users' data but also harms a business and its software. With API security injection, attacks can be prevented because developers can carefully limit the input types anyone can make to those APIs.

 

  1. 5. Common DDoS Attacks

One of the most common attacks these days is DDoS attacks, where APIs get high-frequency requests. As the tolerance exceeds the rated capacity, the service becomes unavailable for legit users. API security can prevent DDoS attacks by making websites available to legitimate users.

 

  1. 6. API Security solves inadequate validation issue

Validating an SSL certificate is necessary for every API. When API security is neglected, and inadequate validation techniques are used, any hacker can steal API keys allowing them to access:

  • - Usernames and passwords
  • - Addresses
  • - Contact information
  • - Payment records, etc.
  •  

Thus, the whole system could be at risk. With proper API Security practices, validation could be better, and the whole problem would be solved.

 

  1. 7. Secure API Key Generation

Most of the time, API keys are responsible for protecting APIs, but sometimes they can be insecure. Thus, APIs are easier to hack hackers. API security involves human interaction for signing up, which generates specific API keys. It prevents bots from mending with the security with things like Two Factor Authentication (2FA).

 

  1. 8. Proper API Logging

API logging is part of API security that ensures tracking of all API requests, user attributes, and behavior analytics. API logging prevents data from being deleted or retired for a year at least. This way, API monitoring becomes efficient with proper analytics to track users and their behavior with the APIs.

 

Conclusion

 

Today most apps have repetitive functionalities. So, using APIs is a better solution than developing everything from scratch. While it can be very beneficial in terms of time, effort, and cost, a slight mistake with the API can put the whole software or application at risk. Here we were elaborating on different reasons why API security must be a top concern for everyone. 

 

Considering all of these reasons, you must also focus on API security to enhance the overall security of your application.

 

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