APIs have become the backbone of software development. As the reliance on APIs (e.g. AI APIs) grows, so does the importance of API security. We selected the following API security tools based on their features, reviews, and market presence, follow the links on them for our rationale.
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Considering 30+ API security tools in the market, businesses may face constraints in choosing the most viable option. See the tables and descriptions below to find the solutions that align best with your needs and objectives.
| Vendors | Reviews* | Free Trial | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
4.6 based on 72 reviews | ✅ | 300 |
|
Postman | 4.7 based on 1648 reviews | ✅ | 2100 |
Wallarm API Security Platform | 4.6 based on 459 reviews | ❌ | 116 |
PortSwigger Burp Suite | 4.8 based on 136 reviews | ✅ | 190 |
Cloudflare Application Security and Performance | 4.5 based on 51 reviews | ❌ | 3700 |
*Vendors are ranked according to their ratings, except Invicti, who is a sponsor of AIMultiple
Differentiating features of API security tools
| Vendor | WAF Integration | On-Prem Deployment | OAuth 2.0 Integration |
|---|---|---|---|
Invicti | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Postman | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Wallarm API Security Platform | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
PortSwigger Burp Suite | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Cloudflare Application Security and Performance | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
You can check the explanation of each feature’s significance for API security.
These tools also share common core features that are vital for API security tools.
Vendor selection criteria
- The firms should have 50+ employees, recognizing the link between a business’s revenue and workforce size.
- Vendors should have feedback from at least 50+ users on B2B review platforms like G2 and Capterra, showcasing a strong market footprint corroborated by customer reviews.
Invicti
Invicti is a web application security scanner that includes capabilities for testing and securing web APIs. Invicti specializes in automating penetration tests for web applications and APIs, featuring Proof-Based Scanning™ to minimize false positives. Its integration capabilities make it ideal for embedding continuous security testing within the software development lifecycle, focusing on a wide range of vulnerabilities, including SQL injection and XSS.
Postman
Postman is known as an API development platform that provides tools for secure API management, design, and testing. Its environment variables protect sensitive data, while mock servers and access controls ensure safe API testing and collaboration. Comprehensive documentation capabilities underscore the platform’s commitment to secure and correct API usage.
Wallarm API Security Platform
The Wallarm API Security Platform offers a solution for securing APIs in cloud and on-premises environments. It automates the discovery of all types of APIs and identifies vulnerabilities through extensive scanning. The platform protects against a broad range of threats, including OWASP Top 10 risks and DDoS attacks, with adaptive security algorithms.
Wallarm also analyzes API behavior to detect and prevent potential abuses. Its focus on compliance assists organizations in adhering to standards like GDPR and PCI DSS, supported by detailed reporting for audits. Designed to integrate with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices, Wallarm ensures continuous security assessment throughout the development lifecycle, making it an effective tool for modern API protection.
Portswigger Burp Suite
Portswigger Burp Suite has an toolkit tailored for the security testing of web applications and APIs based on REST or SOAP protocols. It offers a hands-on approach for security professionals to perform detailed assessments and identify security flaws in web services.
Cloudflare Application Security and Performance
Cloudflare offers a suite that includes a Web Application Firewall (WAF), DDoS protection, Rate Limiting, and SSL/TLS encryption, along with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for optimized global content delivery. Unique features like Bot Management, an API Gateway, Argo Smart Routing, and Cloudflare Workers for edge computing further enhance its application security and performance capabilities.
What are the core features of API security tools?
Authentication and Authorization
Ensuring that only authenticated users can access the API and that they are authorized to perform specific actions. This often involves the use of tokens (like JWT – JSON Web Tokens), OAuth, API keys, and other mechanisms to verify the identity of users and services.
Encryption, Compliance and Data Protection
Ensure that the API and its security measures comply with relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, and implement features to protect sensitive data, like data masking and tokenization.
Using protocols like TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data in transit between the client and the server, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Rate Limiting and Throttling
Controlling the number of requests a user or service can make to an API within a certain timeframe to prevent abuse and ensure that the API remains available for all users.
Input Validation
Checking all incoming data for validity to prevent common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other injection attacks. This includes validating headers, query parameters, and body content.
Access Controls
Implementing fine-grained access controls to ensure that users and services can only access the resources and perform the actions that are appropriate for their level of privilege.
Logging and Monitoring
Keep detailed logs of API activity and monitor these logs for suspicious behavior. This can help in detecting and responding to security incidents more quickly.
Anomaly Detection
Using AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze API traffic patterns and detect anomalies that could indicate a security threat, such as a sudden spike in traffic or unusual patterns that deviate from normal behavior.
API Gateway Security
An API gateway is used to enforce security policies, such as authentication, authorization, SSL termination, and IP filtering, before the traffic reaches the API server.
Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing
Regularly scanning APIs for known vulnerabilities and conducting penetration tests to identify potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.
For vulnerability scanning tools:
“Top Vulnerability Scanning Tools”
Incident Response and Management
Providing tools for responding to security incidents, including automated responses to certain types of attacks and integrations with incident response platforms.
Why are the differentiating features vital for API security tools?
WAF Integration
Integrating Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with API security tools is valuable because it provides a line of defense against a wide range of web-based threats targeting APIs. By filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between web applications and the internet, a WAF can detect and block malicious requests before they reach the API, thus preventing attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other common vulnerabilities.
This integration enhances overall security by offering an additional layer of protection that complements the specific, fine-grained controls provided by API security tools, ensuring a comprehensive security posture for web applications.
On-Prem deployment
On-Premises (On-Prem) deployment of API security tools is valuable because it offers organizations complete control over their security infrastructure and sensitive data. This deployment model is particularly beneficial for businesses subject to stringent regulatory requirements or those that handle highly sensitive information, as it allows for tighter security measures, customized configurations, and direct oversight of the security environment.
On-Prem deployment minimizes external exposure and reduces dependency on third-party providers, ensuring that critical security functions remain within the organization’s controlled perimeter, thereby enhancing the overall security posture and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
OAuth 2.0 integration
OAuth 2.0 is valuable for API security tools because it provides a framework for managing access control, allowing selective delegation of user authentication and authorization without exposing user credentials. By utilizing access tokens instead of credentials, OAuth 2.0 minimizes the risk of credential theft and enables fine-grained access control to API resources.
This ensures that only authenticated and authorized applications or users can access sensitive data, enhancing the overall security posture of APIs and protecting against unauthorized access and data breaches.
Further Reading:
API Security Tools FAQ
What are API Security Tools?
API Security Tools are software solutions designed to protect APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) from security threats and vulnerabilities. These tools help ensure that the data exchanged through APIs is secure, authenticating access and monitoring for malicious activities. They are part of these broader security categories: application security tools and vulnerability scanning tools.
Why are API Security Tools important?
With the increasing reliance on APIs for application integration and development, the security of APIs has become paramount. API Security Tools are essential for preventing unauthorized access, data breaches, and ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
How do API Security Tools work?
API Security Tools work by implementing various security measures such as authentication, authorization, encryption, threat detection, and logging. They monitor API traffic to detect and block suspicious activities, ensuring that only authorized users can access the API.
How do I choose the right API Security Tool for my needs?
Compatibility: Ensure the tool is compatible with your API technology and infrastructure.
Scalability: The tool should be able to scale with your API usage and business growth.
Ease of Use: Look for tools with user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive documentation.
Features: Match the tool’s features with your specific security needs.
Reputation and Reviews: Research user feedback and expert reviews to gauge the tool’s effectiveness and reliability.
Can API Security Tools protect against all types of API threats?
While API Security Tools are designed to protect against a wide range of threats, no single tool can guarantee 100% security. It’s essential to adopt a layered security approach, combining multiple tools and practices to enhance your API’s security posture.
Are there any open-source API Security Tools?
Yes, there are several open-source API Security Tools available, such as OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) for testing API vulnerabilities, and WAF (Web Application Firewall) solutions like ModSecurity that can protect APIs from various attacks.
How do I implement an API Security Tool?
Implementation varies by tool, but generally involves:
Configuring the tool with your API endpoints.
Setting up security policies and rules.
Integrating the tool with your API management and security infrastructure.
Continuously monitoring and adjusting settings based on security needs and threats.
What are the best practices for API security?
Regularly updating and patching your APIs and security tools.
Employing strong authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Encrypting sensitive data in transit and at rest.
Conducting regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Educating your development team about API security best practices.
How do API Security Tools impact API performance?
While API Security Tools can add some latency due to the additional processing required for security checks, most modern tools are designed to minimize performance impact. It’s crucial to balance security needs with performance requirements, configuring the tools to ensure optimal API performance.
Are API Security Tools suitable for all types of APIs?
API Security Tools can be tailored to protect various types of APIs, including REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and more. However, the specific tool and configuration might vary depending on the API type and its specific security requirements.
If you have further questions, reach us:
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