Three things you need to secure your APIs

Securing your APIs is no small feat. An organization needs to have a strong strategy to secure its APIs against cyberattacks and hackers. Today, we explore three things you need to secure your APIs. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

It’s no big surprise that APIs are now just about everywhere. APIs are the foundation that facilitates two systems linking their data and working together towards digital transformation. Therefore, by driving digital integration forward, momentum and business prospects are created with APIs. So many companies now utilize APIs, their evolution and ability to stay competitive is dependent on APIs. Therefore, security is a mainstay for any type of technology.

Secure your APIs with API Management

First, a full-on approach with API Management is needed to secure your APIs. With a full-scale approach to secure your APIs, you ensure that you are covered via building, managing, analyzing and extending the lifecycle of your APIs, as well as security measures. Furthermore, with an API Gateway, you go one step further to protect your APIs against cyberattacks. This enforces security and protection on a large scale. This is a key point you must have in place to secure your APIs. The bottom line is that API Management solutions serve their purpose as an API Gateway. This protects your APIs and brings about seamless, safe delivery for your APIs.

Data housecleaning

Second, in securing your APIs, companies must start with data housecleaning! It takes more than “Mr. Clean” to handle this problem. Companies that secure unnecessary data are walking into a mind trap. When you collect data that is redundant, and your data gets compromised, your company can face a financial hit. In Europe, with the GDPR a mainstay, there is now more reason than ever to stop collecting data that can lead to a negative financial impact. Read more about what’s up with the GDPR here.

Don’t be too trusting

Thirdly, when you need to secure your APIs, you have to work with the belief that “everyone is out to get your data”! Unfortunately, this is the reality. By accepting this fact, you can take crucial precautions to protect your APIs. Consequently, by having full confidence in your users is a bad precedent. If you are running on the assumption that no one will find your APIs within an open API company, you are going to be exposed to threats. Developers have to go forth and tackle APIs with data protection and a strong IP address. Don’t be misled into thinking you can’t be exposed in the API world. Strong protection is necessary to secure your APIs.