Automated API monitoring of your ISMS

Information security and the management of interfaces (APIs) play a central role for many companies. An ISMS tool (information security management system) and an API gateway are two essential building blocks that fulfill different but complementary tasks. While an ISMS tool ensures that security guidelines are established and adhered to, an API gateway guarantees secure data traffic between different systems. The combination of both technologies offers significant added value, particularly in the automation of security processes and central monitoring.

Scenario: Automated security management and monitoring

A company plans to implement its IT security guidelines efficiently and ensure that all systems and interfaces comply with the requirements of the ISMS. APIs that are used as communication interfaces both internally and externally should be monitored and secured in order to minimize vulnerabilities.

Actors and components:

ISMS tool

Defines, monitors and documents security measures in accordance with common standards (e.g. ISO 27001). It supports the administration of security guidelines, risk analyses and incident management.

API gateway

Protects data traffic between different systems and ensures compliance with security standards such as authentication, authorization and logging. It also prevents unauthorized access to APIs.

Business situation: Automated compliance with security guidelines for API communication

Compliance monitoring via API gateway

In a company that provides many services via APIs, monitoring API traffic plays a crucial role. The API gateway monitors every request and ensures that only authenticated and authorized clients have access to sensitive data. The ISMS tool is connected directly to the API gateway to automatically enforce security policies such as “data must be transmitted in encrypted form” or “access must be logged”.

Example:

The ISMS tool identifies that an API does not comply with the “TLS-encrypted transmission” policy.
An automatic alert is triggered and the API is immediately blocked in the API gateway until the problem is resolved.

Automated reporting and auditing

Seamless integration of the API gateway with the ISMS tool means that the ISMS receives continuous reports and logs on API traffic, anomalies and suspicious activity. This data is analyzed in the ISMS tool and used for audit reports required for certifications such as ISO 27001. This greatly facilitates the creation of audit reports and helps to meet compliance requirements.

Risk analysis and incident management

If a security incident occurs, for example due to unauthorized access via an API, the event is immediately recorded in the ISMS tool. This allows risk assessments to be updated and immediate measures to be initiated.

The advantages of this combination:

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Automated security controls: The API gateway automatically implements defined security policies in API communication without the need for manual intervention.

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Centralized monitoring: All security-relevant information (API traffic, anomalies, incidents) is automatically and centrally recorded and evaluated in the ISMS tool.

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Efficiency during audits: Thanks to the integration, all security-relevant events are documented, which simplifies the creation of audit reports and speeds up the audit process.

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Risk minimization: Non-compliant APIs are automatically blocked, allowing potential security vulnerabilities to be identified and rectified at an early stage.

Conclusion: Efficient security solution through integration of ISMS and API gateway

The combination of an ISMS tool and an API gateway offers enormous advantages for companies that operate security-critical APIs. This integration is particularly ideal for organizations that strive for high transparency and automation in security management. Automation not only ensures compliance with security guidelines, but also significantly reduces the risk of security incidents. Companies that are or want to be ISO 27001 certified, for example, benefit in particular from this centralized solution for ensuring compliance and minimizing risk.

Automate processes – with OpenCelium and i-doit ISMS

Are you looking for a comprehensive solution to optimize your API strategy as well as IT security and compliance? With our OpenCelium and i-doit ISMS tools, we offer you exactly that!

The open source API hub OpenCelium allows you to easily integrate your applications via drag & drop – without any developer know-how. Effortlessly link your systems for automated data exchange and increase the efficiency of your IT.
i-doit ISMS supports you in meeting the highest information security standards and comprehensively managing your IT risks. With functions such as risk management, analysis, evaluation and support for common standards (ISO2700x, NIS2, ISIS12, KRITIS, BSI), you can secure your IT infrastructure in the long term.

Simplify your processes and guarantee security! Please contact us for individual advice.

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