API Security Case Studies: How Enterprises Prevent Breaches with Rakuten SixthSense

In today's interconnected digital landscape, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are the backbone of seamless data exchange and functionality across various platforms. However, this integration comes with significant security challenges. Enterprises across sectors are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks exploiting API vulnerabilities, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

Rakuten SixthSense offers a comprehensive, AI-driven API security solution that empowers organizations to proactively detect, analyze, and mitigate API-related threats. This article delves into real-world case studies from the banking, e-commerce, healthcare, and fintech industries, showcasing how Rakuten SixthSense has been instrumental in fortifying API security and preventing breaches.

1. Banking: Fortifying Financial Transactions

Client Overview:

• Industry: Global Banking
• API Traffic: Over 1 million API calls
• Presence: Operations in 50+ countries

Scenario: A leading global bank manages an extensive network of APIs facilitating online and mobile banking services. Ensuring the security of these APIs is paramount to protect sensitive financial data and maintain customer trust.

Challenges:

• Vast API Ecosystem: Managing the security of thousands of APIs handling sensitive financial data daily.
• Data Exposure Risks: Potential exposure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) through unmonitored APIs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintaining compliance with standards such as PCI-DSS and GDPR while delivering seamless customer experiences.

Solution Implemented:

• API Inventory and Discovery: Real-time monitoring of all APIs to maintain an up-to-date inventory.
• Shadow and Zombie API Identification: Detecting and managing undocumented or deprecated APIs to prevent security blind spots.
• Behavioral Analytics and Anomaly Detection: Utilizing AI to monitor API behavior and detect anomalies in real-time.
• OWASP Top 10 Vulnerability Scanning: Regular scanning to identify and address critical vulnerabilities.
• Business Contextualized Risk Scoring: Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on their potential business impact.

Results:

• Sensitive Data Exposures Detected: 50 instances identified and addressed.
• Anomalies Detected: 10 suspicious activities flagged and investigated.
• Critical Vulnerabilities Identified: 20 high-risk vulnerabilities resolved.

🔹 Discover how Rakuten SixthSense helps financial institutions secure their APIs. Read the full case study

2. E-Commerce: Securing Digital Retail Operations

Client Overview:

• Industry: Global E-Commerce
• API Traffic: 1.5 million API calls
• Customer Base: Millions of customers worldwide

Scenario: A prominent e-commerce platform relies heavily on APIs to manage product listings, process payments, and integrate third-party services. The security of these APIs is critical to protect customer information and ensure uninterrupted service.

Challenges:

• Unmonitored APIs: Presence of undocumented and deprecated APIs increasing security vulnerabilities.
• Sensitive Data Exposure: Risk of leaking customer information and payment details through insecure APIs.
• Operational Complexity: Managing a large-scale API ecosystem with high traffic demands real-time monitoring to maintain service quality.

Solution Implemented:

• API Inventory and Discovery: Continuous tracking of all active APIs to prevent unauthorized or forgotten endpoints.
• Shadow and Zombie API Identification: Eliminating obsolete APIs that could serve as potential attack vectors.
• Business Contextualized Risk Scoring: Assessing and prioritizing risks based on their impact on business operations.
• OWASP Top 10 Vulnerability Scanning: Identifying and mitigating common security flaws.
• Real-Time Anomaly Detection: Monitoring API traffic to detect and respond to unusual activities promptly.

Results:

• Critical Vulnerabilities Resolved: 25 significant security issues addressed.
• Customer Data Protection Enhanced: Achieved an 80% improvement in safeguarding customer information.

🔹 Explore how Rakuten SixthSense enhances API security in e-commerce. Read the full case study

3. Healthcare: Protecting Patient Data

Client Overview:

• Industry: Healthcare
• API Traffic: 300,000 API calls
• Services: Management of patient records and telemedicine services

Scenario: A leading healthcare provider utilizes APIs to handle patient information, support telemedicine, and integrate with external health applications. Securing these APIs is essential to protect sensitive health data and comply with healthcare regulations.

Challenges:

• Sensitive Data Exposure: Continuous risk of leaking patient health information and PII.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to healthcare standards such as HIPAA.
• Manual Monitoring Limitations: Difficulty in manually tracking API activities and identifying security threats across multiple services.

Solution Implemented:

• API Inventory and Discovery: Achieving complete visibility over all APIs in use.
• Shadow and Zombie API Identification: Detecting and managing untracked APIs to prevent unauthorized access.
• Sensitive Data and PII Exposure Identification: Monitoring APIs for potential data leaks.
• Anomaly Detection: Real-time identification of suspicious activities.
• OWASP Top 10 Vulnerability Scanning: Proactive API security testing to prevent breaches.

Results:

• Sensitive Data Protection Strengthened: 60% reduction in data leakage incidents.
• HIPAA Compliance Achieved: Enhanced security controls for API-based health data transactions.

🔹 Learn how Rakuten SixthSense helps protect APIs in the healthcare industry. Read the full case study

Final Thoughts: Strengthening API Security Across Industries

🔹 APIs are critical assets, but they are also prime attack vectors. Implementing proactive security measures is crucial.

🔹 Rakuten SixthSense offers an AI-driven API security observability platform that helps enterprises monitor, detect, and prevent breaches.

🔹 From banking to e-commerce, healthcare, and fintech, businesses can enhance their API security posture with real-time threat intelligence and automated security enforcement.

🚀 Take the next step in securing your APIs with Rakuten SixthSense. Request a Free Demo today!