Back to blog
A Funny Look at a Serious Issue
Back to blog
Are you familiar with the concept of shifting left API security? If not, it's time to get up to speed. In today's digital landscape, APIs (application programming interfaces) have become an essential tool for businesses. They allow different applications to communicate with each other, making it easier to share information and automate tasks. However, with this convenience comes a new set of security risks.
Shifting left API security is a concept that involves integrating security measures early in the software development process. This means that security considerations are taken into account from the very beginning, rather than being added as an afterthought. By doing so, developers can identify potential vulnerabilities and address them before they become a problem.
Not shifting left API security can have serious consequences for your organization. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities in APIs. They can use these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, launch DDoS attacks, or even take control of the entire system. These attacks can result in financial losses, damage to your reputation, and legal consequences.
Why Staying on the Right is Like Wearing Your Underwear Backwards
Now, let's get to the fun part. Why doing API security only or production or completely avoiding it is like wearing your underwear backwards? Well, imagine you're getting dressed in the morning. You put on your shirt, your pants, your socks, and your shoes. But when you get to your underwear, you decide to put it on backwards. At first, it might not seem like a big deal. You can still function, right? But as the day goes on, you start to notice some discomfort. Maybe you're chafing, or maybe the elastic is digging into your skin. Either way, it's not a pleasant experience.
The same thing can happen with API security. If you wait until the end of the development process to think about security, it's like putting your underwear on backwards. Sure, you can still function, but you're going to experience some discomfort. You might have to go back and make significant changes to the code, which can be time-consuming and expensive. And even worse, you might miss some vulnerabilities altogether, leaving your system wide open to attack.
Now that we've convinced you that shifting left API security is important, how do you actually implement it? Here are a few tips:
Shifting left API security might sound like a technical concept, but it's actually quite simple. By integrating security measures early in the development process, you can avoid potential vulnerabilities and protect your organization from cyber attacks.