Federal Tech Podcast: for innovators, entrepreneurs, and CEOs who want to increase reach and improve brand awareness

Ep. 222 Securing Federal Systems: How API Management Transforms Digital Security

Mar 13, 2025

Stephen Ringo, a Senior Solutions Architect at Akamai and an expert in API security, unpacks the critical role APIs play in securing federal systems amidst rapid cloud adoption. He reveals that 99% of organizations struggle with API security, emphasizing the importance of inventorying known and hidden APIs. Ringo advocates for proactive measures, highlighting the need to educate federal CIOs and evaluate security controls with cloud providers. The discussion also touches on the alarming risks of misuse and the ongoing shortage of API security professionals.

23:24

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Episode guests

Stephen Ringo

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Quick takeaways

API security is crucial for organizations transitioning to hybrid cloud systems, highlighting the need for thorough inventory and discovery of all APIs.

Misunderstandings about the security features of cloud-native solutions can lead to vulnerabilities, stressing the importance of evaluating API security capabilities of providers.

Deep dives

The Growing Importance of API Security

API security has become a critical concern, with a large percentage of organizations reporting security-related issues. Most entities either lack a clear understanding of their API landscape or have only begun to address it without fully grasping its complexities. This lack of awareness poses significant risks, as APIs function as gateways to sensitive data and can easily be exploited if not properly secured. With predictions identifying API security as a leading threat vector, it is essential for organizations to acknowledge the heightened vulnerabilities associated with their APIs.

Intro

2min

The Critical Role of APIs in Digital Security

3min

The Essential First Step: Discovering Hidden APIs for Security

2min

Bridging the Gap in API Security

4min

Navigating API Security in Cloud Environments

13min

The federal government is transforming from on-premises and private cloud systems to a hybrid cloud.

What most listeners do not realize is that the linchpin to this transition is the Application Program Interface (API). It has been hiding under the radar for so many years that malicious actors use this perspective to attack the API.

Info Security Magazine reports that 99% of organizations struggle with API security. Where to start? First, get an inventory of how many APIs you are dealing with.

Stephen Ringo emphasizes the need for discovery tools to identify rogue and shadow APIs, noting that passive discovery methods are preferred to avoid network disruptions.

He also points out that API security is often overlooked, even in cloud-native solutions, and that misuse, rather than malformation, is the primary threat. Ringo advocates initiative-taking measures to secure APIs and prevent data breaches.

Three main ways to protect APIs:
Educate and raise awareness about API security risks among federal CIOs and IT leaders.
Discover and inventory all APIs, including rogue or shadow APIs, within the organization.
Evaluate API security capabilities of cloud providers and ensure proper security controls are in place.

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Federal Tech Podcast: for innovators, entrepreneurs, and CEOs who want to increase reach and improve brand awareness

Ep. 222 Securing Federal Systems: How API Management Transforms Digital Security

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Growing Importance of API Security

The Need for Discovery in API Management

The Challenges of Securing APIs in a Cloud Environment

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts