Why API Discovery and Asset Monitoring Are Essential for Strong Cyber Defense

APIs are essential for seamless business collaboration and data sharing, but they also present significant security risks. In 2020, 91% of companies experienced API security issues, highlighting the need for vigilant API discovery and monitoring to protect digital assets.

API discovery helps teams identify all active APIs, including hidden or vulnerable ones, allowing them to address issues before they escalate. This approach strengthens API management, keeping them secure and fully functional.

Asset monitoring complements API discovery by overseeing all digital assets, such as APIs and microservices, to detect and prevent threats early. Together, these practices help companies counteract a growing number of cyber threats, which surged by 137% in the past year.

Key Takeaways

• API discovery is key for seeing all APIs in use, finding hidden or weak ones.
• Asset monitoring works with API discovery to watch over digital assets, like APIs and microservices.
• Together, API discovery and asset monitoring help find and fix problems early, keeping APIs safe and in line.
• Using API discovery and asset monitoring is vital for fighting off more cyber threats, which have increased a lot.
• By focusing on API discovery and asset monitoring, companies can manage their APIs better, keep them up-to-date, and make them secure.

The Importance of API Discovery for Cybersecurity

API discovery is key to better cybersecurity. It helps find and fix old or unwanted APIs, called "zombie APIs," that might still be used. This makes projects run smoother by preventing teams from doing the same work twice.

API Discovery Uncovers Unmonitored and Vulnerable APIs

Today, most companies use over a thousand apps, a Salesforce survey found. This leads to hidden APIs, or "shadow APIs," that aren't listed in the official catalog. A 2022 report shows about 31% of attacks target these hidden APIs. API discovery finds and fixes these hidden dangers.

API Discovery Enables Proactive Risk Assessment and Remediation

Keeping an updated API list helps watch over sensitive data, like user info and API keys. API discovery tools also speed up app development, making things faster and better. Regular and standard API discovery practices are vital for safe and efficient API use.

Using standards like OpenAPI Specification (OAS), REST, and GraphQL makes API discovery better. This way, companies can find and fix problems before hackers do.

"Over a thousand applications are used in modern enterprises on average, according to a Salesforce survey."

Understanding API Discovery: Internal vs. External Programs

API discovery is key for managing both internal and external APIs. It helps keep digital assets safe and under control. Internal discovery looks at APIs used inside the company. External discovery focuses on APIs shared with others.

Internal API Discovery: Identifying and Managing APIs for Internal Use

Internal API discovery is vital for security and efficiency. With many internal APIs, knowing them well is crucial. It helps in managing risks and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

It involves listing all APIs, knowing their roles, and setting up strong security. This way, companies can keep their internal systems safe and compliant.

External API Discovery: Identifying APIs for Third-Party Integration

External API discovery looks at APIs shared with others. It's about keeping these APIs secure and compliant. This is important for digital assets shared with the outside world.

It helps spot and fix vulnerabilities. This way, companies can protect their digital assets from outside threats.

"Effective API discovery is the cornerstone of a robust cybersecurity strategy, enabling organizations to maintain control and visibility over their critical digital assets."

Key Benefits of API Discovery for Organizations

API discovery is key for finding all APIs used in a company. It helps use resources better and makes work more efficient. This method saves money by making IT simpler and making the company more agile.

It also helps keep sensitive data safe, especially with more APIs being used and more attack points. Good API documentation makes it easier for developers to work. This leads to better integration and stronger systems.

Using API discovery helps companies improve security, cut costs, and find new ways to grow and innovate.

API Discovery in Action: Real-World Examples

API Discovery in the Financial Services Industry

Today, companies handle hundreds or thousands of internal APIs. In finance, 81% see APIs as key for business and IT. Major banks spend about 14% of their IT budget on APIs.

API discovery is vital here. It helps find hidden or unused APIs, called "zombie APIs." These can be big security risks if not managed.

Good API discovery helps fix security issues. This includes not having authentication, exposing sensitive data, and sharing too much data. By checking their APIs, banks can lower risks and follow rules like GDPR and HIPAA.

API Management Platforms and API Discovery

API management platforms are key for managing APIs. They help with development, design, and security. These platforms manage an API's whole life cycle.

They let companies see both public and internal APIs. This gives a full view of the API world. It helps with risk checks and fixing problems.

In short, API discovery is key for good API management and security, especially in finance. With the right tools, companies can see their API world, check risks, and protect data. This keeps them safe and follows rules.

"Effective API discovery and management are essential for organizations to maintain a strong cybersecurity posture and stay ahead of evolving threats in the digital landscape."

Why API Discovery and Asset Monitoring Are Essential for Strong Cyber Defense

In today's digital world, APIs are key for innovation and connection. They are crucial for a strong cybersecurity stance. API vulnerabilities have jumped 30% to 846 instances in 2023, making up 3.44% of all CVEs. This shows APIs are a big security risk, with 29% of CVEs in 2023 being API-related.

API discovery helps find and secure all APIs in an organization. With about 100 APIs on average, leaks from services like MailChimp have put 54 million users at risk. By finding and listing all APIs, companies can spot and fix vulnerabilities, protecting their systems and data.

In summary, API discovery and asset monitoring are vital for strong cyber defense. By actively managing APIs and monitoring their attack surface, companies can reduce risks and protect their digital assets.

"APIs constitute indispensable targets for security breaches, and organizations must prioritize API discovery and asset monitoring to strengthen their cyber defense strategies."

Differentiating API Discovery and API Management

API discovery and API management are two important parts of the digital world. API management handles the whole API life cycle, from start to finish. API discovery is key in finding and understanding the APIs we have, making sure they don't repeat each other and are safe and follow rules.

API Discovery Avoids Duplicating Functionality

API discovery helps teams find and avoid making the same thing twice. It keeps track of all APIs in one place. This way, teams can use what's already there instead of starting over. It makes work more efficient and helps everything work better together.

API Discovery Focuses on Finding and Cataloging APIs

The main job of API discovery is to find and list all APIs in an organization. Knowing all about the APIs helps make better choices and plans. It also makes it easier to keep track of and use APIs safely and well throughout their life.

API Discovery Ensures Security and Compliance

API discovery is also key for keeping things safe and following rules. It makes sure all APIs are secure and follow the rules. This helps avoid problems and keeps everything in line with the law.

"APIs are expected to grow to millions, emphasizing the importance of exploring and testing suitable APIs for developing innovative applications."

In short, API discovery and API management are two sides of the same coin. They help drive new ideas, keep things safe, and make sure everything works well together. API management looks after the whole API life cycle. API discovery focuses on finding, listing, and keeping APIs safe. This helps make better choices and use APIs more efficiently.

The Role of Asset Monitoring in API Security

Asset monitoring is key to strong API security. It keeps an eye on API assets like endpoints and usage patterns. This way, organizations can spot and fix vulnerabilities and suspicious activity fast.

This proactive method helps in assessing risks better and responding quickly to threats. It also ensures the safety of sensitive data and critical API functions.

Asset monitoring helps security teams fight off major API threats. These include Broken Object-Level Authorization (BOLA) and Broken User Authentication. These threats can cause big data breaches.

It also tackles Excessive Data Exposure and Lack of Resources and Rate Limiting issues. These can lead to huge data breaches and API downtime.

Asset monitoring catches Broken Function Level Authorization (BFLA) threats too. These can let unauthorized access or take over admin privileges.

By keeping a close eye on the API ecosystem, organizations can tackle these risks. This ensures the safety and integrity of their API operations.

Recent studies show 95% of enterprises face security issues in their APIs. And 23% have had a breach because of API security problems. With APIs making up over 71% of web traffic, monitoring them is more crucial than ever.

Asset monitoring helps organizations adopt a "Zero Trust" API security model. This model assumes a breach and grants minimal access privileges. It also uses threat analytics and security policies through an API gateway.

This approach helps defend against many security threats. It makes the API ecosystem safer from malicious actors.

In summary, asset monitoring is essential for a solid API security plan. It helps organizations stay visible, in control, and resilient against API security challenges.

Best Practices for API Discovery and Asset Monitoring

Keeping your cybersecurity strong needs a solid plan for finding and watching APIs. Here are some key steps to help you find, protect, and manage your APIs:

1. Use automated tools to find all APIs inside and outside your company.
2. Keep a detailed list of your APIs, including what they do and how they work.
3. Watch how APIs are used and their security to spot problems early.
4. Make sure only the right people can use your APIs by setting up strong access controls.
5. Make API security a part of your overall security plan for better protection.

Following these steps helps you find and fix API problems before they cause trouble. This way, you can keep your data safe and your systems running smoothly.

"API security is a critical component of any organization's cybersecurity strategy. By implementing robust API discovery and asset monitoring practices, businesses can stay ahead of evolving threats and protect their valuable data and resources."

API discovery and monitoring are key to a strong cyber defense. By sticking to these best practices, you can protect your APIs, lower the chance of data breaches, and keep your digital assets safe.

Conclusion

A strong cybersecurity strategy hinges on effective API discovery and asset monitoring, enabling security teams to identify and address vulnerabilities before they become major issues. By actively managing assets and monitoring APIs, organizations can significantly reduce risks, reinforce security, and maintain a secure cloud environment.

Proper asset management is essential, especially as overlooked or outdated data can lead to serious financial and compliance risks. API discovery plays a critical role in mitigating potential threats, as shown by high-profile incidents like the 2017 Equifax breach, underscoring the importance of securing APIs and protecting sensitive information.

Asset monitoring, combined with robust API security solutions, offers a comprehensive view of applications and cloud infrastructure. Solutions like CNAPP provide runtime protection, vulnerability management, threat detection, and response, ensuring that cloud-native applications remain secure and resilient against evolving cyber threats.

Enhance your cybersecurity with Peris.ai’s suite of solutions tailored to safeguard your organization. Visit Peris.ai to learn more about our advanced products and services.

FAQ

What is API discovery and why is it crucial for cybersecurity?

API discovery finds and lists all APIs in an organization. It's key for cybersecurity because it shows all APIs used. This lets security teams find and fix hidden or risky APIs.

What is the difference between internal and external API discovery?

Internal API discovery looks at APIs used inside the company. It helps find and fix security issues and improve work flow. External API discovery looks at APIs used by others, like partners or customers. It helps keep these APIs safe and in line with rules.

What are the key benefits of API discovery for organizations?

API discovery helps save money by making IT simpler and more flexible. It helps systems work better together and keeps data safe. It also makes building new systems easier and more efficient.

How is API discovery used in the real world?

In finance, 81% see APIs as very important. Big banks spend 14% of their IT budget on APIs. API management tools help manage and secure APIs, making the whole system better.

How does API discovery differ from API management?

API discovery finds and lists APIs, while API management handles them from start to finish. Discovery makes sure APIs are safe, which helps the whole company stay secure.

What is the role of asset monitoring in API security?

Asset monitoring keeps an eye on all API parts. It helps spot and fix problems fast. This makes the API system safer and more secure.

What are the best practices for API discovery and asset monitoring?

Use automated tools for discovery and keep API lists current. Watch API use and traffic closely. Use strong access controls and security checks. Make API security part of the company's overall security plan.

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