Beyond the Code: Why API Security Matters More Than Ever in Tech
API security has become a critical focus for organizations in the technology sector as the reliance on APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) continues to grow rapidly. APIs are the foundation of modern applications, facilitating communication between software systems, integrating services, and driving innovation. However, as the use of APIs expands, so do the associated security risks.
According to the Salt 2024 State of API Security report, API security has become a top concern for 40% of technology organizations at the C-level. This increased attention results from the growing dependence on APIs and the security challenges that come with it. Many technology companies, whether they know it or not, are transitioning into API-centric businesses. APIs are crucial in improving development efficiencies, facilitating cloud migration, and integrating platforms and systems. However, this shift also leads to a rise in security vulnerabilities that require attention from the highest levels of an organization.
Rising API Usage and Its Implications
The use of APIs has significantly increased in recent years. In the technology sector, 65% of companies have experienced a more than 50% increase in API usage over the past year, and one-fifth have reported an increase of 100–200%. Three factors primarily drive this remarkable growth:
- Development Efficiencies: APIs enable faster development cycles by providing ready-to-use components that can be integrated into applications, eliminating the need to build from scratch.
- Cloud Migration: APIs are crucial in bridging legacy systems with cloud-based services as more organizations move their operations to the cloud.
- Platform and Systems Integration: APIs enable different platforms and systems to communicate, fostering a more connected and interoperable technological ecosystem.
The widespread use of APIs has led to challenges in managing and securing them for many technology organizations. 62% of companies have to manage over 100 APIs, which adds complexity to their security strategies. Additionally, 13% of technology companies couldn't identify API attacks, revealing a critical gap in their security capabilities. As the API landscape continues to expand, so does the potential for attacks, making API security an essential discipline that needs to be addressed before it becomes unmanageable.
The Prevalence of API Security Incidents
According to the Salt report, 36% of technology organizations have experienced an API security incident in the past year, which shows the urgent need for stronger security measures and more robust API management practices. Despite this, many organizations still lack adequate processes for securing their APIs.
For example, one-third of technology companies do not have a process to discover APIs, and another third are not confident that their API inventories are complete. This lack of visibility into their API ecosystem is a significant security concern. Without a comprehensive understanding of all the APIs in use, organizations cannot effectively secure them. Furthermore, 11% of companies do not know which APIs expose sensitive data, despite accidental exposure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) being a significant concern for many.
The challenge of incomplete or outdated API inventories is compounded by the fact that less than 10% of tech organizations update their APIs daily. In a dynamic environment where new APIs are constantly being developed, and old ones deprecated, failing to regularly update and secure APIs leaves organizations vulnerable to attacks.
API Security Strategies: A Work in Progress
While some organizations are making strides in improving their API security, the reality is that most are still in the early stages of developing a robust security framework. According to the report, only 7% of technology companies stated that their security strategies for API development programs were advanced. This lack of formalized security strategy for API development indicates that most companies are still playing catch-up when securing their APIs.
As identified by tech companies, the primary obstacles to an optimal API security strategy include limited resources, lack of personnel, and budget constraints. In many cases, organizations simply do not have enough dedicated resources to focus on API security, which can lead to gaps in their defenses. Furthermore, many companies lack the expertise to fully secure their API ecosystems, making it difficult to keep pace with evolving threats.
Another primary concern is the need for more focus on pre-production security. The report highlights that the top three most significant concerns with API programs are:
- Inadequate runtime production security: Many organizations focus heavily on securing APIs in production but fail to adequately address security during development. This leaves APIs vulnerable to attacks once they are deployed.
- Insufficient focus on fleshing out requirements and documentation: Proper documentation and clear requirements are crucial for developing secure APIs. However, many organizations overlook this step, leading to security vulnerabilities that could have been prevented during the design phase.
- Lack of investment in pre-production security: Pre-production security testing is critical for identifying vulnerabilities before APIs go live. Unfortunately, many companies do not invest enough in this area, resulting in APIs that are vulnerable from the start.
Strengthening API Security
As API usage grows, so will the threats associated with insecure APIs. Technology companies must prioritize API security at every development lifecycle stage to address these challenges. This means investing in tools and processes for discovering and managing APIs, ensuring that inventories are complete and up to date, and conducting regular security testing both before and after deployment. Incorporating formalized posture governance strategies to build guardrails around an organization's API ecosystem should be a key consideration to take into account.
Moreover, organizations must adopt a more proactive approach to API security by focusing on pre-production security measures, improving documentation and requirements, and addressing runtime security issues. Given the increasing complexity of API ecosystems, a reactive approach is no longer sufficient.
To support these efforts, companies should also focus on overcoming resource and budget constraints by dedicating more personnel to API security and ensuring that security strategies are integrated into the overall development process. By doing so, technology companies can reduce the risk of API-related incidents and ensure that their APIs remain secure in an increasingly interconnected world.
API security is no longer just a technical issue — it has become a strategic business concern for technology organizations. With API usage proliferating and the threat landscape expanding, companies must take proactive steps to secure their APIs. From improving API discovery and inventory management to investing in pre-production security, organizations must prioritize API security at every level to safeguard their sensitive data and maintain customer trust.
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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.
