API Security: The Vulnerable Side of Digital Transformation

Every app, every integration runs through APIs. They are the nervous system of IT – and the most poorly protected attack surface. In 2024, APIs were the number one attack vector for data breaches. Why IT decision-makers must prioritize API security.

TL;DR

API attacks: increased by 681 percent in 2023/2024
Organizations operate 15,000+ APIs – many undocumented
Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) do not effectively protect APIs
Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA) is the most common vulnerability

Why APIs Are the Entry Point

An API directly exposes business logic. An authorization error means access to the entire database.

OWASP API Top 10

BOLA: User A retrieves data from User B – changing the ID is sufficient.

Broken Authentication: API keys in JavaScript, no token expiration.

Data Exposure: Complete database objects instead of required fields.

Immediate Actions

Create an API inventory. Implement authentication and authorization on every endpoint. Use rate limiting and anomaly detection.

Conclusion

APIs need their own security – on par with network and endpoint security.

Key Facts

Growth: 681 percent increase – fastest growing vector (Salt Security).

Impact: Top 3 API breaches in 2024: over 50 million data records affected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a WAF sufficient?

No – WAFs do not detect BOLA or business logic vulnerabilities.

How to find undocumented APIs?

Use API discovery tools or review code pipelines.

What is the first step?

Create a complete API inventory. Without visibility, there is no protection.

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