expert
OPINION
NICK RAGO , FIELD CTO AT SALT SECURITY
Nick Rago , Field CTO at Salt Security , discusses the critical role of Chief Information Officers in fortifying API security against the backdrop of increasing cyberthreats and the evolving demands of Digital Transformation .
Why CIOs need to pay attention to API Security in 2024
s the world continues to become
A more digitally driven in business and society alike , Chief Information Officers ( CIOs ) play a pivotal role as the propelling force behind innovation . Though it must not be forgotten that their responsibilities extend far beyond merely ensuring businesses and consumers have swift and seamless access to data and services ; they are now at the forefront of managing and implementing the technologies crucial for the operation and scalability of a business .
Moreover , in the face of escalating cyberthreats worldwide , safeguarding against malicious actors has become a central facet of a CIO ’ s role . Recent research indicates that 70 % of CIOs anticipate an increased involvement in organisational security practices and procedures this year .
APIs represent a vulnerable attack vector in the digital world
Application Programming Interfaces ( APIs ) are the building blocks of the modern Internet , including the services that businesses provide both internally to employees and externally to customers or partners . APIs have changed the way we build applications and deliver information and have become integral to Digital Transformation success .
APIs also play a huge role in the success of Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) initiatives , as AI relies on information to thrive ; and that information is fed and consumed through APIs . However , with the increased reliance on APIs , the abuse of them has also become one of the primary security concerns faced by CIOs as APIs are swiftly emerging as the most frequent vector for cyberattacks .
The recent breaches at T-Mobile and Optus , where sensitive Personal Identifiable Information ( PII ) and data of millions were exposed , underscore the vulnerability of APIs to exploitation by malicious entities . The potentially sensitive nature of the data and information being handled , along with the interconnectedness of critical services using APIs , makes them an attractive target for attackers seeking a channel to exfiltrate data , or produce
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