Developers of APIs (application programming interfaces) and API architects need to be well aware of possible security mistakes and how to avoid them. Third-party, internal, and private APIs are already used by over 90% of developers, setting the API management market to grow 32.9% to $5.1 billion by 2023.

As such, a staggering 83% of all web traffic is now reported to be from APIs. Unfortunately, an increase in APIs also means more opportunities for attack, something known by the 91% of organizations reported suffering an API security incident in 2020. A lot of API security mistakes were made.

They say software is eating the world, and APIs are its teeth. In that case, securing your APIs via an API management platform is like owning a toothbrush and toothpaste – equipping yourself with the tools necessary to keep your mouth healthy. Let's take a look at some common API security mistakes and find out how to avoid them.

API Security Mistake #1: Neglecting collaborative governance

Information can become siloed and management responsibilities forgotten when there are many actors involved in API governance – especially those exposed publicly or for partnership. Anyone developing an API security plan needs to include all actors in the collective decision-making process from the beginning to avoid miscommunications or lost data.

Collaborative governance is when internal and external parties come together as stakeholders in the design of an API. It is a key driver of API security. Using an API management platform enables a shared space for collaborators to build out from a unified center of excellence and ensure best practices are enforced.

API Security Mistake #2: Unmanaged API sprawl

API sprawl can quickly occur as the number of APIs grows from a range of sources. Organizations can have hundreds or thousands of APIs at varying stages of the API lifecycle. While API sprawl is unavoidable, as the number of APIs and their complexity grows, so do the operational challenges for teams. Unmanaged APIs can be hard to keep track of and often result in interoperability issues as multiple APIs are created to serve the same function. Developer experience also suffers as a result.

A coherent plan for collective governance using an API management platform helps developers avoid the effects of sprawl and weaknesses that leave APIs open to security breaches. It allows you to track what data you’re exposing to whom, at scale.

API Security Mistake #3: No API lifecycle overview

Not knowing where an API is, who has access, what it is used for – having no API lifecycle overview – is a surefire way to leave your APIs vulnerable to attack. APIs are prone to malicious attacks as they often hold sensitive and personal data that fraudsters would like access to. Likewise, as technology and business evolves, so does the need for software updates, and neglected APIs can easily suffer versioning and documentation issues.

Organizations need a complete API lifecycle overview to ensure internal API keys don’t become compromised and to validate external APIs continuously so they remain secure and compliant. Using an API management platform, developers can identify and secure API endpoints, prevent exposing unnecessary amounts of data, and easily monitor at every stage of their API lifecycle.

API Security Mistake #4: Manual testing

Manual testing is laborious and time consuming for developers. It also leaves plenty of room for human error. After all, testing is second to last to documentation as you rush to finish your sprint. APIs need to be continuously tested if they are to be released as safe and secure products in the API economy. Having continuous security tests already in mind in the planning stages of development is an excellent example of an API-first strategy for a healthy ecosystem.

API security automation is a growing product trend in 2022 as it eases developer workload. An API management platform makes it easy to automate most testing so users and developers alike can be assured safe and reliable APIs being released.

API Security Mistake #5: Coding from scratch

Developers reported spending nearly 30% of their time coding APIs – almost double the amount of any other task. In an enterprise, there are already hundreds of APIs performing similar tasks you are looking for. If you find a way to not only uniformly enforce standards across an organization, but to share API templates, you cut down on the time it takes developers to create and expose their APIs.

Low-code management platforms, like Apiwiz, reduce the input needed from developers. Time can then be spent on security prevention measures and API monitoring, or utilizing platform features to innovate and create new APIs. All this also sets quality and compliance standards that makes it easier to eventually expose and monetize your API program.

API Security Mistake #6: Lacking consistency

Consistency matters. Developers expect to get back certain status codes, and when they don’t, will likely be quick to drop your API. Without consistency, anyone trying to use your APIs will be unfamiliar with what to expect and how to fix any problems that may arise.

Low-code management platforms provide templates for designing APIs and have automated testing and authorization functions to keep them secure. Templates for design and API documentation reduce the likelihood of API security mistakes, insecurities, and misconfigurations as they establish consistency for users. This all makes for smoother onboarding and a delightful developer experience.

API Security Mistake #7: Not knowing the enemy

It’s hard to keep up-to-date with our increasingly complicated attack vectors. Payment scammers targeted small businesses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Uber API security breach shows how large-scale corporations can also be under attack. Knowing what kind of attacks and security threats you might encounter is vital to good governance, and reading news and published reports, signing up to newsletters, and following key figures in APIs on social media can help keep you up to date. The critical thing to remember is that an API attack could happen to anyone: How will you be prepared to detect and respond?

Avoid simple security mistakes and discover API management made easy with a 14-day free trial from Apiwiz.