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Top Three API Security Practices for CISOs

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bharat malviya
Top Three API Security Practices for CISOs

Application programming interfaces (APIs) have been around for decades, but their use has exploded in recent years as enterprises ramp up their digitization efforts.


As API usage continues to grow, API attacks are becoming increasingly common. Many CISOs have realized that their API security needs to be reviewed. API attacks often result in data breaches, exposing sensitive medical, financial and personal data as companies use APIs to create more communications and transmit data.


While the effort may appear onerous at times, CISOs may take some basic actions to ensure API security.


Leaning on user-controlled input isn’t a good idea


CISOs should not rely on user-controlled inputs to give any response or data for improved API security. Any user’s sensitive data can be obtained by fiddling with a request or response. CISOs should get the majority of the needed inputs through secured signatures rather than relying on a user’s request input.


 A small example is when an individual goes to their profile page to check their credit card information. The user identity is utilized by the API to get the information, and it is returned to the user as a response. The user identification in this situation is a user-controlled input. Using any proxy tool, the users can alter their user ID to that of another user and obtain that person’s sensitive information.


As a result, CISOs should avoid depending on user inputs wherever possible, but if they must, they should ensure that the information is only shared with the appropriate parties. A checksum is one method of accomplishing this. It prevents others from issuing payment requests in their name or meddling with other ones, for example.


Full Article: Top Three API Security Practices for CISOs


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