Guide to Getting Started with API Security

This guide provides a comprehensive approach to establishing, evolving, and maturing an API security program. It outlines the critical importance of APIs in modern applications and the necessity for their protection against unauthorized access and attacks. The document details a structured process that includes discovering and documenting APIs, addressing rogue and zombie APIs, and implementing protective measures. The first step involves collecting data on all APIs, understanding their functionality, and ensuring they are properly documented. The guide emphasizes the need for visibility into APIs to manage the attack surface effectively. It also introduces protection strategies categorized into red teaming, blue teaming, and purple teaming, which encompass offensive, defensive, and collaborative security practices. The document concludes with the importance of continuous measurement and reporting to tie the security program to business objectives, ensuring that organizations can adapt to the dynamic threat landscape.