Tag: APIs

Securing the Financial Frontier: Safeguarding Fintech APIs in the Era of Innovation

On By mehranmuslimiblogIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

In the dynamic realm of fintech, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) serve as the backbone, enabling seamless communication and data exchange between diverse financial systems. From facilitating transactions to enhancing user experiences, APIs play a pivotal role in the interconnected world of modern finance. However, as the prevalence of APIs continues to rise, so does the risk of security threats. In this article, we delve into the significance of APIs in fintech, the surge in API attacks, and crucial strategies to fortify the security of these essential tools.

The Power of APIs in Finance:

Ever wondered how your wallet app effortlessly retrieves money from your bank account or how your credit card gains approval during an online shopping spree? APIs hold the answer. Acting as bridges between different software systems, APIs facilitate communication and data exchange. For example, a personal finance app can leverage an Open Banking API to connect with a customer’s bank, allowing it to check balances and perform various financial operations.

The API Explosion in Banking:

Research indicates a significant surge in the adoption of public APIs by banks. According to McKinsey, 75% of the top 100 global banks had made public APIs available in 2022. This demonstrates a remarkable increase, considering that only 22% had established their API platforms in 2021, with an additional 39% in progress. The shift towards API adoption suggests a growing recognition of the benefits they bring to the financial landscape.

Types of Banking APIs:

  1. Partner APIs: Designed for specific third-party companies to address common challenges collaboratively.
  2. Private APIs: Developed within banking institutions to enhance their operational efficiency and services.
  3. Open Banking APIs: Increasingly prevalent, these APIs enable banks to share data with third-party companies, fostering a more interconnected financial ecosystem.

How Fintech Benefits from Banking APIs:

  1. Cost Reduction: APIs streamline development, enabling the creation of multiple products and services with reduced costs compared to building from scratch.
  2. Regulatory Compliance: APIs assist in adhering to regulations such as GDPR and PSD2 by providing controlled access to data, ensuring privacy and security.
  3. Enhanced Customer Experience: APIs improve customer experiences by enabling the delivery of high-quality features in a timely manner, making financial services more affordable.

The Dark Side: API Security Challenges:

Despite the myriad benefits, the rise of API attacks poses a substantial threat. The Q1 2023 State of API Security by Salt Security reported a staggering 400% increase in API attacks. Various attack types include Denial-of-Service (DoS), SQL injection, XML External Entity (XXE) attacks, Cross-site Scripting (XSS), Brute force attacks, Cross-site Request Forgery (CSRF), and Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.

Protecting Fintech Against API Attacks:

  1. Eliminate Business Logic Vulnerabilities: Identify and rectify business logic flaws, which are a common avenue for cybercriminals to exploit and gain unauthorized access.
  2. Use Strong Authentication and Authorization: Implement robust authentication and authorization mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, to secure access to APIs.
  3. Segregate Data: Break up data into different entities to prevent easy access and theft by potential attackers.
  4. Enforce TLS/SSL for API Communications: Encrypt API traffic with SSL to ensure that all data transmitted remains confidential, even if intercepted.
  5. Invest in Employee Security Awareness: Educate employees on identifying API attacks and foster a cybersecurity-aware culture within the organization.
  6. Have a Tested Contingency Plan: Prepare for potential API attacks with a well-defined and tested contingency plan to mitigate damage promptly.

As fintech continues to thrive, the security of APIs becomes paramount. Financial organizations must recognize the potential threats, adopt robust security measures, and prioritize ongoing education and preparedness. API security is not only a safeguard but also a facilitator and differentiator of innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of fintech. By embracing these strategies, the financial frontier can remain secure, ensuring a resilient foundation for the future of financial technology.

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Are banking APIs the real revolution?

On By mehranmuslimiblogIn Banks, BlockchainLeave a comment

Application programming interfaces (APIs) have been around for 20 years, but, as Ron Shevlin points out, just one in five community banks in the USA had deployed APIs before 2020, and they aren’t even on the radar of at least 20% of the banks.

Contrast this with Europe, where 97% of UK banks are already using them, and even the lowest uptake country, the Netherlands, has 83% of its banks deploying APIs. The reason for this huge gap between the USA and Europe is the latter’s Open Banking initiative, however Shevlin says that American banks cannot simply use this as an excuse for their low adoption of the technology.

As a result of the lack of API deployment, US banks are missing out on a number of opportunities, including the reduction of time and costs in several business processes, particularly product application-related processes.

The best known API providers include Stripe, Plaid and Yodlee. These three have furthered the connections between financial institutions and fintech companies. However, Shevlin says there are three fintech startups that are “poised to have a significant impact on the banking industry: Pinwheel, Sila, and Codat.”

Pinwheel

Pinwheel, which has just announced a $7 million funding raise, offers an API for payroll data, “that handles everything from income and employee verification to easily switching and managing direct deposit.”

How would this revolutionise banking? According to a Techcrunch article, “For consumers, the main draw is automated direct deposit control, which will allow consumers to control where their paychecks go. For instance, if they want to split a direct deposit into multiple accounts, or regularly move part of their paycheck into a savings app like Digit or Acorns, Pinwheel can help them do that easily.”

Sila

According to Coindesk, Sila, “is an API platform that issues an ERC-20 stablecoin called SilaToken (SILA). Every transaction on the platform is done using the token, which is pegged 100:1 to the U.S. dollar. Sila plans to install card payments, international payments, business ID verification and begin issuing tokens within one business day. Its partner bank, Evolve Bank & Trust, plans to connect to the Clearing House system, a network started by big banks that provides access to instant payments.”

Techcrunch comments that Sila’s API would: “Supplant ACH as the payments choice for companies who need to move money. Sila’s API for identity verification, which empowers developers to identify users and use that info in the company’s banking API, allows users to debit their accounts and move funds from one account to another. On top of that infrastructure, Sila allows for the creation of smart contracts, which should allow for more rapid deployment of financial apps.”

Codat

Codat, which is based in London, has an API focused on small businesses, and is signing up 10,000 new customers per month. According to TechCrunch:

“Codat is building an API that connects with all the systems that hold all the relevant financial data. That type of information is usually spread across multiple systems, and small businesses often use different systems. On the other side, banks, insurance companies and more can speed up their internal processes and give you an educated answer for your next loan or insurance product.”

Codat is especially on point right now as small businesses are struggling and need funds. However, the current lending processes are time-consuming and confusing. Its API simplifies and streamlines the flow of data between small businesses and financial institutions, and could potentially disrupt the way SME loans are handled today.

Blockchain

On the other hand, perhaps APIs aren’t the ultimate answer for a banking revolution. Brian Platz, co-CEO of Fluree, says, “The answer isn’t to build a better API; rather, it is to turn the database inside out and let data escape from the walls that confine it. Blockchain is how data frees itself. It’s time to end the era of data APIs and begin to look into the blockchain.”