The Importance of Strong API Security Standards in Modern Security

Read full article here: https://corsha.com/blog/robust-api-security-standards-are-essential-for-your-security-strategy/?source=nhimg

APIs have become the backbone of digital business, but they are also one of the most exploited attack vectors. Gartner warned in 2022 that APIs would become the top target for attackers, and the prediction came true: API attacks in financial services alone grew 3.5x year-over-year. Each breach carries a massive price tag, with IBM placing the global average at $4.35M per incident.

The troubling reality is this: while cybersecurity spending is rising, many organizations still leave their APIs unprotected, relying on outdated bearer models and static secrets that are too easily compromised.

The Problem With the Bearer Model

Bearer tokens, API keys, and certificates are still the default for API authentication but they offer only a thin line of defense. If a secret is leaked, attackers gain unrestricted access. The problem is compounded by sprawl: according to Ponemon, 53% of organizations don’t know how many keys and certificates they even have, let alone who is using them.

As APIs proliferate across microservices, CI/CD pipelines, and hybrid clouds, this single-layer defense becomes untenable. A stronger, layered security approach is required.

Three Steps to Strengthen API Security

1- Gain Full Visibility

“You can’t protect what you can’t see.” Continuous discovery helps organizations:

• Identify shadow APIs (often unmanaged third-party integrations).
• Detect orphaned APIs (left behind after service changes or deletions).
  Without this visibility, blindspots remain open for attackers.

2- Classify APIs by Risk

Not all APIs carry the same weight. Connecting to sensitive data or intellectual property carries far greater risk than APIs tied to public information. Classifying APIs by risk level allows security teams to focus monitoring and defenses where it matters most.

3- Strengthen Machine Identity with MFA

Static secrets are no match for modern attackers. By adding multi-factor authentication (MFA) for API access, organizations reduce reliance on static credentials. This approach mirrors Google’s move to auto-enroll users in 2FA, which cut compromised accounts by 50%. For APIs, MFA ensures only verified machine identities can access services, while keeping costs manageable compared to ballooning secrets-management budgets.

Closing the Gap

Attackers know APIs are a weak spot and they exploit the overreliance on bearer models every day. The way forward is clear:

• Continuous API discovery.
• Risk-based classification.
• Layered defenses with MFA and dynamic machine identity validation.

Robust API security isn’t a “nice to have” anymore — it’s a pillar of modern cybersecurity strategy. Organizations that act now can close critical blindspots, reduce breach costs, and achieve stronger security outcomes faster.