Imperva Application Security: A Unified Approach to API Threat Detection and Mitigation
In today’s digital-first world, APIs have become the backbone of modern applications, enabling businesses to connect services, streamline operations, and deliver personalized experiences at scale. However, with this increased reliance on APIs comes heightened security risks. According to Imperva Threat Research, APIs now account for 71% of all web traffic. Alarmingly, recent data shows that 44% of advanced bot traffic targets APIs, compared to just 10% targeting traditional web applications. This growing trend highlights how attackers are exploiting API endpoints to access sensitive and high-value data.
To address these challenges, Thales has introduced groundbreaking detection and response capabilities in its Imperva Application Security platform. Designed to protect against business logic attacks like Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA) — the top threat in the OWASP API Security Top 10 — this solution offers real-time detection and automated mitigation of risky APIs, unauthenticated APIs, deprecated APIs, and other vulnerabilities. By integrating advanced protection mechanisms into a single-pane-of-glass platform, Imperva is setting a new standard in API security.
Why BOLA is a Critical Business Risk
Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA) occurs when APIs fail to verify whether users are authorized to access specific data objects. Attackers exploit this vulnerability by manipulating API requests to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. As the leading threat in the OWASP API Security Top 10, BOLA exposes organizations to significant risks, including:
- Data breaches: Unauthorized access to confidential customer or business data.
- Compliance failures: Violations of regulatory frameworks like GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA.
- Loss of trust: Damaged relationships with customers and stakeholders due to compromised data security.
“API security is no longer optional—it’s fundamental to maintaining business continuity and trust,” said Tim Chang, Global Vice President and General Manager of Application Security at Thales. “Imperva Application Security bridges the gap by delivering a fully unified platform that identifies business logic threats and actively blocks malicious sessions, setting a new benchmark for API protection.”
A Unified, Flexible, and Privacy-First Solution
The Imperva Application Security platform empowers enterprises with an innovative approach to API protection. It combines advanced threat detection engines with automated inline responses and flexible deployment options, ensuring security teams can detect and mitigate API threats without disrupting development workflows or user experiences. Key features include:
1. Unified Platform Architecture
The platform consolidates API discovery, risk assessment, detection, and mitigation into a single console. This eliminates tool sprawl and operational friction, making it easier for security teams to manage API security across cloud and on-premises environments. With a centralized view, organizations can efficiently monitor their entire API infrastructure from one location.
2. Real-Time BOLA Detection
Imperva leverages hybrid behavioral and rule-based engines to analyze API request patterns. These engines score anomalies and flag suspicious activity, enabling immediate action against potential threats. For example, if an API endpoint exhibits unusual behavior indicative of a BOLA attack, the system raises alerts and initiates predefined response actions.
3. Automated Response and Remediation
Integration with Imperva Cloud WAF and WAF Gateway allows for seamless mitigation of malicious API traffic. The platform supports various response actions, such as blocking unauthorized requests in real time. Additionally, integration with security automation tools ensures rapid incident orchestration, minimizing the impact of attacks.
4. Flexible Deployment Options
Imperva Application Security offers deployment flexibility across cloud and on-premises environments, catering to diverse organizational needs. Its privacy-forward design ensures that APIs can be secured at scale while adhering to stringent data protection regulations.
Advancing the Imperva Security Anywhere Vision
The introduction of API detection and response capabilities aligns with Imperva’s broader Security Anywhere vision, which aims to provide scalable, end-to-end protection for applications and APIs across any environment. This unified solution equips enterprises with a comprehensive view of automated threats targeting APIs and the tools needed to combat them effectively.
For instance, the platform not only detects and mitigates BOLA attacks but also addresses other critical issues, such as:
- Deprecated APIs: Identifying outdated APIs that may pose security risks and guiding remediation efforts.
- Unauthenticated APIs: Flagging APIs that lack proper authentication mechanisms and enforcing stricter controls.
By addressing these vulnerabilities proactively, Imperva Application Security helps organizations stay ahead of evolving threats.
Why This Matters for Businesses
As APIs continue to drive innovation and connectivity, securing them has become a top priority for businesses worldwide. Traditional security measures often fall short when dealing with sophisticated business logic attacks like BOLA. Imperva Application Security fills this gap by offering a holistic, real-time solution that combines detection, mitigation, and automation in one platform.
With its ability to operate seamlessly across cloud and on-premises environments, Imperva ensures scalability and adaptability for organizations of all sizes. Furthermore, its privacy-forward design underscores a commitment to safeguarding sensitive data, even as API usage grows exponentially.
Setting a New Benchmark in API Security
The integration of API detection and response into Imperva Application Security represents a significant leap forward in protecting modern applications. By combining advanced threat detection with automated mitigation and flexible deployment options, Imperva delivers unparalleled protection against unauthorized data exposure and complex business logic vulnerabilities.
For enterprises seeking to fortify their API infrastructure, Imperva Application Security provides a unified, future-proof solution. Whether combating BOLA attacks, managing deprecated APIs, or securing unauthenticated endpoints, this platform empowers organizations to maintain robust security postures without compromising performance or user experience.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.
Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
