Zero Trust API security is a concept based on reducing presumed trust through strict identity confirmation, continuous user authentication, and least access privilege for each API call. Before providing access, all communications from internal systems, external partners, or third-party services are verified. This strategy helps to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and API attacks by allowing only trusted and authorized users to interact with APIs.

This blog dives into Zero API security and its benefits. Learn more about key principles of Zero trust APIs and methods for implementing zero trust in API security.

What is Zero Trust Security?

Zero Trust Security is a security approach that removes pre-assumed trust by enforcing strict identity verification for all user, device, and API interactions. This framework uses authentication, authorizations, and security control to check risks both inside and outside the network. It includes continuous authentication and least privileged access to all resources.

Source: Akamai

This method uses continuous risk analysis to check and verify every API request.  Security engineers should use multi-factor authentication (MFA), least access controls, and continuous monitoring to identify and prevent unauthorized access. Using a Zero Trust model reduces attack surfaces, prevents lateral movement, and improves overall API security against new risks.

Core Principles of Zero Trust for APIs

Zero Trust API security is based on simple concepts that remove implicit trust while imposing strict security measures. Organizations can reduce API threats, prevent unauthorized access, and improve overall security by these principles:

Never Trust, Always Verify

The Zero trust security model needs strict verification of all API calls, no matter what the source is which reduces the pre-assumed trust. APIs should verify and approve all queries to ensure that only authorized users, devices, and services have access. Pre-assumed trust assumptions can expose security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Perform contextual security checks, identity verification, and device security posture checks.

Least Privilege Access Control

Source: Wallarm

APIs should only grant the required permissions to users, services, or applications to perform their intended tasks.  Additional permissions can increase the risk of data breaches and API exploitation.  Use role-based access control (RBAC), attribute-based access control (ABAC), and policy-based authorization to ensure that API users only interact with resources that they need.

Strong Authentication Mechanisms

Strong authentication can help prevent unauthorized users from accessing APIs.  To improve security, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), API keys, and mutual TLS (mTLS).  Continuous session validation and token expiration procedures will help reduce the risks related to stolen or compromised credentials.

Secure API Gateway & Microsegmentation

An API gateway serves as a security control point, combining access control, request validation, and traffic filtering. It protects against threats like injection attacks, API misuse, and rate-limiting bypasses by checking and managing API calls. Micro-segmentation also divides API services into controlled zones, preventing lateral movement in the case of exploitation.  Even if an attacker gains access to one API, strict segmentation prevents them from accessing other important services.

Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection

Real-time API monitoring allows for early detection of suspicious activity, like irregular traffic patterns, unauthorized access attempts, and API misuse. Logging, analytics, and abnormality detection provide insights into potential security vulnerabilities. Organizations should use automated actions to stop unauthorized requests and send alerts when unusual activity is detected.

Implementing Zero Trust in API Security

Zero Trust in API security requires strict authentication, least privilege access, and continuous monitoring. Organizations should implement these methods in API security to prevent unauthorized access.

Use Strong Authentication and Authorization

Source: ssl2buy

Verify every API request with OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), API keys, and mutual TLS (mTLS). Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access. Use authorization rules like role-based access control (RBAC) and attribute-based access control (ABAC) to give users access to only the required resources.

Use Least Privilege Access Control

APIs should only give the needed permissions for a specific task or function. Protect important API endpoints by restricting access to only verified users, services, or apps. Continuously change access controls based on the user's identification, device security posture, and risk level. Use policy-driven frameworks to ensure immediate access to temporary privileges. Regularly check and remove unnecessary API access to avoid privilege escalation.

Secure API Gateways and Enable Micro-segmentation

An API gateway serves as a centralized security layer that enforces authentication, traffic filtering, and request validation. It helps to reduce risks like API attacks, injection attacks, and credential stuffing. Micro-segmentation helps to separate API services to prevent attackers from gaining access to APIs if one of them is hacked.

Monitor API Traffic Continuously

Security engineers should use continuous logging, anomaly detection, and AI-powered threat intelligence.  API monitoring tools can detect unauthorized access attempts, abnormal request patterns, and data theft.  Use behavioral analytics to detect hacked credentials and insider threats.

Encrypt API Communications

Encrypt all API communications with TLS 1.2 or higher to avoid man-in-the-middle attacks. Use payload encryption, data masking, and tokenization to keep sensitive information secure. Ensure that API answers don't expose sensitive data, like credentials or personally identifiable information (PII). To protect against injection and data manipulation threats, enforce robust API input validation. To ensure compliance with industry security standards, update encryption protocols regularly.

Perform Regular API Security Assessments

Organizations should perform continuous security testing, vulnerability scans, and API penetration testing. Use API security posture management (ASPM) tools to identify misconfigurations and vulnerabilities. Regularly update API security policies according to new threats, and compliance needs, and develop attack methodologies. Ensure compliance with industry laws including GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2.

Final Thoughts

Zero Trust API security is essential for organizations looking to reduce API-related threats. Strict authentication, access restriction, and continuous monitoring will help security teams to reduce risks and prevent data breaches. Using these principles will help to improve an organization's security posture against new threats.

Akto offers a complete API security platform that complies with Zero Trust concepts. Akto provides security engineers with real-time API discovery, access control enforcement, and continuous threat monitoring to protect APIs from new threats. Schedule a demo today to improve your API security approach with Akto.