Since APIs enable data and application access, they frequently attract cyber threats. 84% of businesses faced API security incidents in the past year, and only 27% of businesses know which APIs return the sensitive data that attackers seek.
Since APIs are so central to their connected apps, it is important to establish who owns API security so that they can monitor API health, identify potential vulnerabilities, and implement proactive mitigation strategies.
What Is API Security?
Protecting your APIs against unauthorized access and vulnerabilities that might lead to misuse or breaches is API security. APIs have access to sensitive data as they bridge users, systems, and platforms. However, the same accessibility and connectivity that make APIs indispensable also make them attractive targets for cyber-attacks. Some API vulnerabilities are:
- Data exposure: Unsecured APIs may unintentionally reveal sensitive information.
- Broken authentication: Weak or flawed authentication processes can allow unauthorized users to gain access.
- Misconfigured APIs: Incorrect settings can create entry points for attackers, putting your systems and data at risk.
Who Owns API Security?
The short answer is, “No one person at any given time.” The responsibilities are distributed, and so too is the responsibility. It is API’s role extends to development, security, and operations, making accountability difficult to pinpoint. A study by Traceable in their State of API Security Report shows that there is no clear and definite owner for API security. Below is a breakdown of various roles and what they are accountable for:
- Developers: Developers are responsible for creating and maintaining APIs, making them crucial to understanding API security. They can implement code-level protection from the beginning, ensuring security is integrated early in the development lifecycle.
- Security Teams: Security teams are directly responsible for implementing API security. Their tasks include setting governance standards, establishing compliance policies, and performing audits and risk assessments to maintain a strong security posture.
- DevOps Teams: DevOps teams play an essential role in API security. They monitor API usage and performance to identify potential threats quickly. They also assess vulnerabilities in production environments, allowing swift action to patch security gaps and ensure security is integrated throughout the development lifecycle.
- Leadership (CIOs/CTOs): CIOs and CTOs oversee the overall strategy of API security in about 19% of organizations. They shape and implement the security strategy, create policies, allocate resources to the right teams, and ensure all parties involved are aligned and following the necessary security measures.
How To Manage API Security
A shared responsibility model is the best for effective API security. It helps avoid ownership silos, which can complicate security protocols and lead to security gaps. Using the right tools and best practices can improve visibility for all stakeholders and minimize security risks. Below are some best practices you can take to strengthen your API security:
Create Security Documentation
Develop comprehensive and accessible security guidelines that cover all API interactions. This documentation should outline best practices and protocols to ensure secure usage and provide a clear understanding for all stakeholders.
Arrange for Regular Security Workshops
Ensure your team stays updated on the latest security technologies and practices. Conduct regular workshops focusing on emerging threats, securing APIs, and providing hands-on experience with advanced security tools.
Build Clear Communication Channels
Design clear escalation and reporting mechanisms for addressing potential security threats. Establish communication pathways led by security experts like CSOs or CTOs to identify and mitigate risks proactively.
Develop Integrated Monitoring Systems
Create tracking tools that monitor API interactions across different platforms. These systems should provide insights into usage patterns, performance metrics, and potential anomalies to help detect security issues early.
Conduct Periodic Security Assessments
Perform regular evaluations of your API security infrastructure. Work with your security and DevOps teams to identify vulnerabilities and make necessary adjustments based on findings.
Design Role-Based Access Control Frameworks
Implement a role-based access control (RBAC) framework to manage API access effectively. Create granular permission models that assign specific roles and access levels based on job functions or responsibilities. Regularly review and update these permissions to align with organizational changes and evolving security needs.
Build Incident Response Protocols
Create detailed steps people should take in case of a security breach. These can be standard operating procedures that clearly and concisely outline what to do.
Use Automated Security Management Tools
Implement advanced automated tools to continuously manage API traffic and detect vulnerabilities. These tools can enforce security policies, track usage patterns, and minimize human error, strengthening your security efforts.
Use the Boomi API Control Plane for API Security
API security is a shared responsibility across teams. However, there needs to be clear direction on who should be in charge of various security elements, whether handed to the CIS, dev teams, or security teams.
The Boomi Enterprise Platform centralizes and simplifies this process, providing organizations with the tools to protect APIs, address vulnerabilities, and maintain compliance while ensuring strong visibility and control. Below are the key features that make this possible:
- Unified API Governance: The platform enforces strong governance policies to secure APIs across all environments. This minimizes the risks associated with shadow and zombie APIs, ensuring consistent security management.
- Comprehensive API Monitoring: Boomi offers advanced monitoring tools to detect vulnerabilities, audit for compliance, and identify performance issues like high latency or insecure endpoints.
- Automated Threat Protection: The solution defends against OWASP’s Top Ten API threats and custom vulnerabilities with reusable security policies, making it easier to address evolving risks.
- Centralized Access Control: With centralized permission management and support for Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) policies, Boomi protects sensitive data and ensures secure API interactions.
- Improved API Lifecycle Management: Boomi optimizes API lifecycle management by retiring outdated APIs, reinforcing active ones, and reducing unnecessary exposure. This helps maintain efficient and secure APIs.
- Instant API Visibility: Boomi’s dashboards provide real-time insights into API performance, security trends, and compliance status, enabling organizations to make informed decisions and address issues proactively.
- Better Security Posture: Boomi strengthens security by validating payloads, filtering API operations, applying IP restrictions, reducing attack surfaces, and ensuring data integrity.
To see how Boomi can help, read our whitepaper: API Management as a Journey.