Building Resilient Applications and APIs: The Importance of Security by Design to Ensure Data Protection | An Imperva Brand Story with Lebin Cheng

In this Brand Story episode, hosts Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli welcome Lebin Cheng from Imperva to discuss the ever-important topic of API security. As the head of the API security team at Imperva, Lebin Cheng offers a nuanced view into the challenges and solutions involved in protecting sensitive data facilitated by APIs. A central theme of the discussion revolves around API security's complexity due to APIs' role in digital transformation, cloud migration, and data integration. APIs act as a gateway for data interaction and integration, offering flexibility but also introducing significant security risks.

Cheng underscores that as APIs provide open access to critical data, they become prime targets for sophisticated cyber threats. These threats exploit vulnerabilities in API deployments, making robust security measures indispensable. Cheng highlights the importance of securing APIs not as a one-time effort but as an ongoing process. He discusses how Imperva employs real-time monitoring and behavioral analysis to enhance API security. By establishing a baseline of what constitutes normal behavior, Imperva can quickly detect and respond to anomalies. This approach goes beyond traditional, static security measures, which often fall short against dynamic threats that evolve alongside technology.

Additionally, the conversation touches on the notion of 'security by design.' Cheng advocates for integrating security considerations from the earliest stages of API development. This results in more resilient applications capable of withstanding sophisticated attacks. The discussion also notes the growing trend of DevSecOps, which emphasizes the collaboration between development, security, and operations teams to embed security throughout the software development lifecycle. Real-world applications of these principles are evident in various sectors, including open banking.

Cheng explains how open banking initiatives, which allow smaller financial institutions to access larger banks' data via APIs, highlight the necessity of strong API security. A breached API could expose sensitive financial data, leading to significant financial and reputational damage. The hosts and Cheng also explore how Imperva's innovation in API security involves leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies help in identifying and mitigating potential risks by analyzing vast amounts of data to detect unusual patterns that might indicate a security threat.

In closing, Cheng emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation and vigilance in the field of API security. He invites organizations to adopt a proactive stance, continuously updating their security measures to protect their data assets effectively. This episode serves as a compelling reminder of the critical role API security plays in today's interconnected digital world.

Learn more about Imperva: https://itspm.ag/imperva277117988

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Guest: Lebin Cheng, VP, API Security, Imperva [@Imperva]

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lebin/

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