API protection protects API endpoints from exploitation
Using API protection to protect API endpoints from exploitation is essential for any data-dependent project. If an attacker gains access to an API’s endpoints, he can manipulate the parameters or even steal sensitive data.
The number of vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit is increasing, and the attack surface for APIs is proliferating. A compromised API can lead to compliance violations, lost customers, and cost overruns on IT infrastructure.
APIs are popular because they provide flexibility and speed. However, they also pose a unique set of security challenges. Proper configuration and hosts and a comprehensive inventory of deployed API versions can mitigate these threats.
Typical attackers use various techniques to gain unintended access to an API. For example, they can modify parameters, read documentation, and manipulate object properties.
These vulnerabilities can be prevented with the help of a rate limit. This feature prevents overburdening an API server and protects API backends from invalid requests.
These vulnerabilities can be prevented by implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF). WAF monitors HTTP traffic and blocks network requests that don’t comply with the rules. These attacks can be avoided by deploying WAF rules to block specific IP addresses and patterns that target these vulnerabilities.
Another common security misconfiguration is the lack of encryption. An API that doesn’t encrypt information may expose business logic flaws. For example, attackers can manipulate the authentication token and gain access to sensitive data if the API doesn’t use a cryptographic key to authenticate requests.
WAAP approach automates the flow of security events and empowers incident response workflows
Using a WAAP solution can help organizations monitor all traffic, identify malicious content, and prevent threats before they enter the system. The technology also provides web application firewall project. In addition, it can protect against both known and zero-day attacks, identifying sensitive data and removing threats before they enter the organization.
Investing in a WAAP solution may be the best way to stay ahead of the application security threat landscape. This solution combines security technologies, machine learning techniques, and self-learning capabilities to detect threats and safeguard APIs. It can be used on-premise or in the cloud.
Modern applications constantly evolve, and DevOps practices challenge traditional security solutions to keep up. For example, traditional web application firewalls require manual tuning, and creating rules in a complex network is challenging.
A WAAP approach automates the flow of security events and empowers incident response workflows. A solution like LogicHub uses machine learning to monitor the correct data and automatically identifies the most critical information. It also filters out the most ineffective alerts, helping to free up the SOC staff to focus on the more complex tasks.
SIEMs combines all the necessary data into one place, making it easier for the organization to make sense of it. In addition, SIEMs can interact with other security technologies to provide a unified view of the entire security landscape.
Cloud WAAP services over WAAP appliances and IaaS-native WAAP
Using Cloud WAAP services over WAAP appliances and IaaS-native WAAP protection is a growing trend among organizations. These solutions have evolved from web application firewalls (WAFs) to offer more granular web application protection and DDoS mitigation. These cloud-based solutions also provide quicker release cycles. They are built on auto-scaling, multitenant cloud infrastructure.
The key features of these cloud-based WAAP services include API protection, bot mitigation, and DDoS protection. They are typically provided with additional service components like URL and form security and are often offered as managed services. However, these services are based on something other than established WAF solutions and may not integrate with the enterprise ecosystem.
Third-party cloud-based solutions may log sensitive client data and decrypt TLS connections and links. This is a significant concern for organizations with sensitive customer data and must adhere to data residency laws.
Another hurdle organizations face integrating cloud-based WAAP services with their incident response workflow. But, again, the ease of integration depends on the SIEM tool in use, the provider’s pricing model, and the organization’s budget.
These solutions must be better suited for modern applications subject to rapid changes. In addition, the constant flux of web applications and DevOps practices creates security challenges.
Compared to traditional WAFs, third-generation WAFs are more flexible. They can be deployed as a cloud-native SaaS solution or in software form on virtual machines. In addition, they offer better protection for hybrid environments, and they learn automatically.
WAAP wins WAAP vs. WAF vs. WAF battle
Keeping web applications secure has become an essential task for businesses. Organizations need a security solution to protect their legacy apps and digital assets in today’s dynamic digital world. In addition, organizations face new challenges with a rapidly evolving API landscape.
Enterprises have been moving towards cloud hosting, which helps them reduce latency and potential bottlenecks. However, traditional web application firewalls do not provide the level of protection that modern enterprise applications require.
WAAP solutions provide complete end-to-end security for APIs and web applications. They can detect and prevent malicious content and malicious sources. These security models are auto-scalable and cloud-native. They can identify sensitive data and perform distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) mitigation. They are a cost-effective, comprehensive solution.
Akamai Technologies is a leading provider of WAF solutions. The company analyzes 300TB of daily traffic data and uses this data to build and manage digital experiences for billions of people daily. It also offers enterprise-level anomaly detection and control automation.
WAF is a next-gen WAF solution that is more suited for modern applications. It monitors and detects applications from the application layer onward.
The cloud-agent-based runtime protection is an innovative approach that is more suited to a multi-cloud environment. It embeds in the runtime domain of the application and captures precise data on the performance of the API.