Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have profoundly transformed the internet's fabric. In the pre-API era, digital interactions were limited by siloed systems functioning in isolation. APIs dismantled these barriers by introducing a universal language that diverse applications could comprehend. This linguistic bridge facilitated an unprecedented level of interconnectivity between software entities.

Manufacturing is an industry in flux. The sector has been acutely affected by inflation, supply chain challenges and labor shortages in recent years, while also grappling with rapid developments in technology. It is no stretch to state that a manufacturer’s ability to leverage technology is a key determinant in its success and failure – now and into the future.

In an age characterized by digital transformation, APIs serve as the backbone of modern applications, enabling diverse systems to communicate and share data seamlessly. This widespread API adoption, however, exposes organizations to a considerable attack surface, inviting the attention of cyber adversaries searching for vulnerabilities to exploit.

Over 18 months ago, a small group of us started a program to support the US federal government and the broader public sector with robust API security. Recognizing the major shifts in government cyber security, we focused on Zero Trust early. We wrote about it, talked about it, and evangelized on the importance of including API security in a ZT architecture. An early achievement was a detailed mapping of API security to the pillars of ZT over a year ago.

Over the past several months, we've taken a journey through the new 2023 OWASP API Security Top-10 list. In the previous 12 weekly posts, we've delved into each category, discussed what it is, how it's exploited, why it matters, and suggested effective protections for each. Now, as we conclude this series, it's time to summarize and offer some practical guidance for security practitioners looking to bolster API security in their organizations.

Application programming interfaces, better known as APIs, link unrelated platforms so data can flow freely between them. And in order for providers to share patient health data across different systems, APIs must be produced at rapid speed and maintained with diligence to foster interoperability. However, this innovation comes with a catch. The more APIs an organization uses, the greater opportunity for risk they face in both performance and security.