Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

According to the Wallarm Q1 2025 ThreatStats report, 70% of all application attacks target APIs. The industry can no longer treat API security as a sidenote; it’s time to treat it as the main event. NIST seems to be on board with this view, releasing the initial public draft of NIST SP 800-228, a set of recommendations for securing APIs.

Your business depends on APIs, which are essential for contemporary digital experiences, encompassing everything from mobile applications and IoT devices to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. With more than 80% of internet traffic now routed through APIs—a number projected to rise significantly due to AI developments—their security is crucial. Unfortunately, this vital infrastructure faces growing attacks, with these threats being a real and current danger to many.

Hybrid enterprises, defined by the coexistence of on-premises systems and cloud-based solutions, have become the norm in today’s digital economy. The evolution of IT infrastructure and the widespread adoption of cloud environments have dramatically broadened the attack surface. Enterprises face persistent threats including advanced persistent threats (APTs), data breaches, ransomware attacks, and insider risks.

REST APIs are the arteries of today’s digital ecosystems, silently exchanging data between countless applications, users, and devices. Yet, in the race to protect endpoints, authenticate users, and encrypt payloads, the security nuances of API responses are often overlooked. This oversight leaves a dangerous gap where attackers don’t need to break in; they simply listen, observe, and exploit what’s willingly given away.

OWASP’s API Security Cheat Sheet is a familiar resource for many cybersecurity leaders—often bookmarked, rarely reimagined. But what if this seemingly developer-focused reference held the blueprint for executive-level strategy? For CISOs and CFOs operating in the era of digital ecosystems and financial APIs, this cheat sheet is not just tactical guidance—it’s strategic armor.

APIs are the backbone of modern business. They connect services, power user experiences, and enable innovation at breakneck speed. But they’ve also become one of the largest, most complex threat surfaces out there—and traditional security approaches just aren’t cutting it. At Salt Security, we’ve spent years pioneering API protection. And today, we’re thrilled to announce our biggest leap forward yet. Meet Salt Illuminate.

In today’s increasingly interconnected digital landscape, APIs have become the invisible backbone of organizational efficiency, enabling data sharing, automation, and business innovation with quiet efficiency. However, as APIs proliferate, so do the vulnerabilities and targeted attacks that threaten to disrupt operations, compromise sensitive information, and damage an organization’s reputation.

APIs are essential for modern business operations. They drive mobile applications, facilitate partner integrations, open new revenue channels, and act as critical links for emerging AI agents. At the same time, AI tools are speeding up the development of these APIs. Undoubtedly, they are vital business resources. However, are you safeguarding these resources with the careful attention they need, especially as they grow in number and complexity?

APIs are the vital connectors of modern digital business, powering everything from e-commerce and financial transactions to healthcare data exchange and government services. While indispensable for innovation, this widespread API adoption introduces significant security risks.

Network APIs have quietly evolved from backend enablers to frontline security and business risk vectors. While traditionally viewed as infrastructure tools, they significantly influence enterprise agility, availability, and threat surface. For CISOs and CFOs navigating the complexities of digital transformation and cyber risk governance, the security of these APIs is no longer optional—it is foundational.