API Security: The Non-Negotiable for Modern Transportation
The transportation sector is undergoing a digital revolution, from railways to aviation and trucking. APIs are at the heart of this transformation, particularly for airlines. Airlines utilize APIs to integrate internal systems with vital services such as booking platforms, check-in services, real-time flight updates, communication with customs agencies, and baggage handling.
Ensuring the security of these increasing APIs is critical for protecting passenger data, preventing unauthorized access, and maintaining operational efficiency. As a result, this ensures compliance, fosters passenger trust, and helps avoid service disruptions. The future of safe and reliable transportation relies on robust API security.
The Implications of Rising API Usage in the Transportation Industry
Airlines and transportation companies heavily rely on APIs to handle sensitive data, from customer information to payment details and flight schedules. While crucial for efficient operations, these APIs are also prime cyberattack targets. The increasing complexity of API ecosystems, including undocumented "shadow APIs," further expands the attack surface.
As transportation systems become more interconnected, the reliance on APIs grows. This interconnectedness, while beneficial, also introduces significant security risks. A single API vulnerability can compromise sensitive data, disrupt operations, and pose physical threats. Worryingly, the 2024 State of API Security Report found that API security incidents have more than doubled in the past 12 months.
The critical API security challenges in transportation include:
- Complex Ecosystems: Transportation systems involve many interconnected systems, including booking platforms, payment gateways, and real-time tracking systems. Each connection point is a potential vulnerability.
- Data Sensitivity: APIs handle vast amounts of sensitive data, such as passenger information, vehicle telemetry, and supply chain logistics. Data breaches can have severe consequences, including financial loss, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
- Evolving Threat Landscape: Cybercriminals constantly evolve their tactics to exploit API vulnerabilities. Data scraping, injection attacks, and API abuse pose significant threats to transportation systems.
- Real-Time Operations: Many transportation systems rely on real-time data for critical operations, such as traffic management, fleet optimization, and emergency response. Any disruption to API services can lead to delays, inefficiencies, and potential safety hazards.
Shadow APIs
For the transportation industry, one of the most significant risks facing organizations is the issue of shadow APIs. These are APIs that developers create, often during testing or as part of new feature development, that are not adequately documented or secured. They can present a significant vulnerability for organizations if left unmanaged, as they could expose sensitive information or provide backdoor access to critical systems.
Organizations must identify any clusters of shadow APIs that are unknowingly left open to the public, documenting these previously unknown APIs. A robust API governance program is also essential for organizations that comply with many standards. On top of this, establishing a set of governance rules that apply specifically to the organization helps mitigate high-risk vulnerabilities within the API ecosystem and helps prioritize sensitive data. Building automation into this process streamlines it significantly.
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Download ReportAPI Security: An Ongoing Project
The proliferation of API production is a trend that is set to continue. The 2024 State of API Security Report also found that the overall count of APIs is increasing, having gone up by 167% in the past year. Despite this, only 7.5% of organizations have implemented dedicated API testing and threat modeling programs, even though 95% of respondents reported experiencing problems in production APIs.
While some organizations take API security seriously, many are still in the early stages of developing a solid security framework. API security must be considered throughout the API lifecycle, or else companies risk playing catch up to secure them later, putting their organizations at risk. This includes discovering and managing APIs, conducting regular security testing, and incorporating formalized posture governance.
To address the issues associated with API security in the transportation sector, organizations should consider a solution that can:
- Discover and Inventory APIs: Identify and catalog all APIs, including shadow APIs that may have been developed without formal approval.
- API Posture Governance: Implement a comprehensive and continuous process for assessing and managing the API security posture to lower risk.
- Protect Against Threats: Employ advanced security measures, such as threat detection, prevention, and response capabilities, to safeguard APIs from attacks.
- Monitor API Usage: Monitor API traffic for anomalies and suspicious behavior to detect and mitigate potential threats.
- Enforce API Policies: Implement policies and controls for API usage, access, and data sharing.
API Security: A Proactive Approach
A proactive approach is crucial, focusing on security across the entire API lifecycle from design to production and improving documentation. Overcoming resource constraints and integrating API security into the development process are essential to ensure API security in an increasingly interconnected world.
By investing in robust API security solutions, transportation organizations can safeguard their digital infrastructure, protect sensitive data, and ensure the smooth operation of their services.
If you want to learn more about Salt and how we can help you on your API Security journey through discovery, posture governance, and run-time threat protection, please contact us, schedule a demo, or check out our website.
