API Security
API’s are being used more and more within business today to communicate business to business. In addition, it is being used as a preferred method to interact with Cloud services providers. API’s have become popular as they are highly adaptable transport mechanism that can easily integrate with different solutions and technologies based on the vendor related environments.
By allowing API’s, you are exposing your cloud, servers and systems to external influences. This is why API Security is soo important. It is important when using API’s to understand both the access to the API, content of the API and if there are any concerns with the content.
How to Secure API’s
There are some common items businesses should incorporate when securing API’s and their use. These include:
- Whitelisting of IP address for communication
- Using encryption and signatures
- Managing the number of API requests
API Gateway:
API Gateway’s are one of the easiest ways of performing API Security as it covers all of key security components listed above, in addition, it also incorporates detailed analytics as well as vulnerability testing as part of their solution. Instead of exposing your systems via the API, instead you are exposing the API Gateway and minimizing the impact directly to the servers/applications.
TWR Security recommends Akamai as its preferred offering around API security as it allows organizations to both manage API interaction as well as its edge protection. Akamai, due to its DDOS protection and DNS Management offers a higher level of threat intelligence than most other vendors.
