Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Building trust with APIs
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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, providing UK businesses with an opportunity to evaluate and enhance their cyber defences. Every business relies on technology in some form. However, few think about how much trust we put in the systems that work quietly behind the scenes.
While many organisations focus on protection and prevention, far fewer recognise that strengthening trust in these systems can be a valuable effort. Businesses that establish trustworthy digital relationships not only enhance security but also gain the trust of clients and partners.
Recent headlines have made the stakes clear, with Land Rover being one of the latest victims of a devastating cyber attack. The attack caused not only revenue loss but also a lengthy pause in production and staff layoffs. In the wake of this, we need to be vigilant and aware of the opportunities that hostile actors have to wreak havoc on businesses.
Resilience and defence form the backbone of any security strategy, but they’re not enough on their own. The true foundation is trust. Trust in your systems, your partners, and your handling of sensitive information.
As technology evolves, so do the risks. Beyond firewalls and antivirus tools, the most critical battleground has moved to the hidden infrastructure that keeps businesses connected: APIs.
APIs: The hidden gatekeepers of digital trust
APIs power the seamless digital experiences customers expect. They connect CRMs, billing systems, document management platforms, and communication tools, enabling secure, real-time data exchange between services.
However, with every new connection comes risk. Each API acts as an access point into your organisation’s data environment. Without robust authentication, encryption, and governance, that access point can quickly become an open door.
The real question businesses should ask isn’t just “Is the API we are using secure?”, but “Can our customers and partners trust the way we handle their data through this API?”
Trust transforms technical defence into confidence. Clients are assured that your systems will not only protect their information but also recover and communicate transparently if something goes wrong.
Why SMEs face the biggest API security challenge
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are driving digital change in the UK. They often use APIs to connect different platforms and make their operations more efficient. Yet, many lack the cybersecurity expertise or dedicated resources that larger enterprises enjoy.
This makes SMEs particularly vulnerable to common API security threats, including:
- Weak or missing authentication protocols
- Misconfigured API endpoints
- Poor or absent encryption standards
- Lack of monitoring or visibility into API traffic
A single breach can compromise customer data and erode years of trust. Maintaining digital trust is essential for SMEs because they often build relationships based on personal credibility. Word travels fast, and businesses only need to suffer one cyber attack incident due to negligence to jeopardise all of that. Protecting data is no longer just an IT responsibility; it’s the whole business’s, and APIs play a critical role in upholding that trust.
But while APIs operate behind the scenes, they’re not inherently a weak point. When implemented securely, they’re one of the safest and most reliable ways for systems to connect and share information.
Building trust through API security best practices
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an ideal opportunity to evaluate not just your infrastructure but your approach to secure API integration.
To build trust through your APIs:
- Review API access and permissions: Regularly audit who and what can connect to your systems.
- Use strong authentication: Implement OAuth 2.0 or token-based authentication methods.
- Encrypt all data: Apply encryption for data in transit and at rest.
- Monitor and test regularly: Conduct vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and monitor for anomalies.
- Promote transparency: Clearly communicate your cybersecurity practices and response plans to customers and partners.
These measures demonstrate not only compliance but also a commitment to integrity and accountability.
Trusted platforms, trusted relationships
Trust is built into every part of Signable’s technology. Our secure eSignature API allows businesses to integrate electronic signature functionality into their systems safely, without compromising compliance or user experience.
We recently renewed our ISO 27001 certificate, showing our dedication to being a secure and compliant organisation, and providing strong foundations for our development of Signable.
Signable encrypts and records every document, signature, and audit trail, providing a reliable foundation for digital business. In an increasingly connected world, defence builds resilience, but trust builds relationships.
Ready to build safer, more trusted connections?
Visit our Developer Portal to explore secure API integration, or sign up today to experience trusted digital signing with Signable.
Peter Amey
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