Wallarm, an API security company, specializes in real-time threat blocking to protect businesses from increasingly sophisticated attacks. In this episode, Ivan Novikov, CEO and Co-Founder of Wallarm, discusses the challenges of securing APIs at scale, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in both enhancing and exploiting cybersecurity, and the emerging use cases of connected vehicles, smart cities, and space.

Novikov explains Wallarm’s unique approach to API security, highlighting how the company blocks attacks in real-time. Novikov points out why APIs are challenging to secure due to the complexity of API traffic, which is difficult to parse in real-time. The growing concern of massive data breaches caused by API vulnerabilities makes real-time threat prevention essential to stop such attacks before they escalate.

The dual nature of artificial intelligence (AI) in both strengthening and challenging API security is discussed. Novikov emphasizes how Wallarm uses AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), to identify vulnerabilities, simulate potential attacks, and improve its own cybersecurity solutions. Novikov also addresses the emerging risks posed by attackers leveraging AI to automate and scale their exploits, targeting even the most advanced cybersecurity products.

Novikov points out that the frequency of new API vulnerabilities has skyrocketed—from a few monthly instances to five daily exploits—underscoring the growing threat landscape. Novikov mentions that Wallarm has published numerous reports over the past three years, tracking the rise in data breaches caused by API vulnerabilities. These reports highlight the increasing severity of breaches, with API exposures leading to massive data losses, which are harder to detect and stop compared to traditional ransomware attacks.

New use cases, such as connected vehicles and smart cities, are highly dependent on APIs. Novikov highlights how these new technologies have increased the demand for robust API security, particularly as more critical systems become interconnected. As APIs become more integral to modern technologies, businesses must adopt advanced security strategies tailored to evolving threats.

Novikov also touches on the future of cybersecurity in space, where commercial companies are increasingly relying on APIs for communication with satellites and other payloads. As space technology becomes more commercialized, Novikov believes there will be significant challenges in securing these systems, as they will likely use common APIs that were not originally designed with security in mind.

This summary was written by Emily Nicholls.