Securing the Digital Economy: A Deep Dive into Application and API Security | A Brand Story Conversation From Black Hat USA 2024 | An Akamai Story with Rupesh Chokshi | On Location Coverage with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

In this Brand Story episode as part of the On Location Podcast series, Sean Martin speaks with Rupesh Chokshi, who leads the application security business at Akamai. Connecting directly from Black Hat in Las Vegas, the discussion provides an in-depth look into the world of application security, APIs, and the challenges organizations face in today's technology-driven environment.

Rupesh Chokshi starts by highlighting Akamai's evolution from an innovative startup focused on improving internet experiences to a global leader in powering and protecting online activities. He emphasizes that Akamai handles trillions of transactions daily, underlining the massive scale and importance of their operations.

The conversation shifts to the pivotal role of APIs in the digital economy. With every company now being an 'app company,' APIs have become the lifeline of digital interactions, from financial services to entertainment. Chokshi points out that many organizations struggle with cataloging and discovering their APIs, a critical step for ensuring security. Akamai assists in this by employing scanning capabilities and data flow analysis to help organizations understand and protect their API landscape.

A significant part of the discussion focuses on the security challenges associated with APIs. Chokshi details how attackers exploit APIs for data breaches, financial fraud, and other malicious activities. He cites real-world examples to illustrate the impact and scale of these attacks. Chokshi also explains how attackers use APIs for carding attacks, turning businesses into unwitting accomplices in validating stolen credit cards.

Chokshi emphasizes the importance of proactive measures like API testing, which Akamai offers to identify vulnerabilities before code deployment. This approach not only bolsters the security of APIs but also instills greater confidence in the enterprise ecosystem.

The discussion also touches on the broader implications of API security for CISOs and their teams. Chokshi advises that the first step is often discovery and cataloging, followed by ongoing threat intelligence and posture management. Using insights from Akamai's extensive data, organizations can identify and mitigate threats more effectively.

The episode concludes with Chokshi reinforcing the importance of data-driven insights and AI-driven threat detection in safeguarding the API ecosystem. He notes that Akamai's vast experience and visibility into internet traffic allow them to provide unparalleled support to their clients across various sectors.

For anyone looking to understand the complexities of API security and how to address them effectively, this episode offers valuable insights from two leaders in the field. Akamai's comprehensive approach to application security, bolstered by real-world examples and expert analysis, provides a robust framework for organizations aiming to protect their digital assets.

Learn more about Akamai: https://itspm.ag/akamaievki

Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.

Guest: Rupesh Chokshi, SVP & General Manager, Application Security, Akamai [@Akamai]

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

Resources

Learn more and catch more stories from Akamai: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/akamai

View all of our Black Hat USA  2024 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/black-hat-usa-2024-hacker-summer-camp-2024-event-coverage-in-las-vegas

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