By now, you will almost certainly be aware of the transformative impact artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are having on the world. What you may not be aware of, however, is the role Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are playing in the AI revolution. The bottom line is that APIs are critical to AI systems – but they are also a major reason why AI systems are vulnerable to abuse. In this blog, we’ll explore why API security is critical for the safe and ethical deployment of AI.

Implementing API authentication is one of the most critical stages of API design and development. Properly implemented authentication protects data, user privacy, and other resources while streamlining compliance, preventing fraud, and establishing accountability. In fact, broken authentication is one of the leading causes of API-related breaches.

APIs are the backbone of modern digital ecosystems, but their misuse can expose systems to cyber threats. Effective API throttling not only optimizes performance but also acts as a critical defense mechanism against abuse, such as denial-of-service attacks. Discover how this powerful strategy enhances API security and safeguards your organization’s data in an interconnected world.

The modern world relies on Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). They allow applications to communicate with each other, servers, and consumers to facilitate data sharing and simplify application development. Without them, the internet would be unrecognizable. However, APIs also present a considerable risk to organizations. If left unsecured, they can be a gateway for attackers to access critical data and services. Protecting APIs is extraordinarily important, but it can be expensive.

Recent advances in AI technologies have granted organizations and individuals alike unprecedented productivity, efficiency, and operational benefits. AI is, without question, the single most exciting emerging technology in the world. However, it also brings enormous risks. While the dystopian, AI-ruled worlds of sci-fi films are a long way off, AI is helping cyber threat actors launch attacks at a hitherto unknown scale and level of sophistication. But what are AI-powered attacks?

APIs have become the backbone of modern digital ecosystems, powering everything from mobile apps to e-commerce platforms. However, as APIs grow in importance, they also become prime targets for malicious actors. Increasingly, bots are being weaponized to exploit vulnerabilities, overwhelm systems, and siphon sensitive data—all without triggering alarms until it’s too late.

API abuse and web application bot attacks are often confused. This is understandable, as both involve automated interactions and are usually executed by bots. Both attack vectors are prevalent; criminals are always eager to disrupt the foundations on which businesses base their operations to achieve their malicious goals and they frequently automate their actions for maximum results.

APIs are the backbone of interconnected applications, enabling organizations to innovate, integrate, and scale rapidly. However, as enterprises continue to expand their digital ecosystems, they often encounter a common and complex challenge: API sprawl. Unchecked, API sprawl can lead to increased security risks, inefficient resource utilization, and the frustrating experience of redundant or hard-to-locate services across teams. Postman details the explosive growth in APIs in their State of API report.

There is no doubt that attackers have shifted their attention to APIs. Wallarm’s API ThreatStats research identifies that 70% of attacks now target APIs instead of Web Applications. While APIs have become the backbone of innovation and connectivity for businesses, they have also introduced a vast attack surface that’s challenging to defend with traditional methods alone.

There’s no doubt that API security is a hot topic these days. The continued growth in API-related breaches and increase in publicized API vulnerabilities has pushed API security to the top of CISO’s lists. The tools in the market for API security still have room for improvement, of course. One of the challenges security practitioners face with APIs is understanding the context in which an attack took place.