Cequence Security revolutionises API defence with machine learning enhancements

London-based API security and bot management pioneer, Cequence Security, announced new machine learning (ML) powered enhancements to its Unified API Protection (UAP) platform ahead of the RSA Conference. The new features introduced have set an industry standard for tackling significantly evolved AI-fronted threats.

According to Ameya Talwalkar, CEO of Cequence, the rising use of APIs has led to an alarming increase in threats, pushing information security officers and software engineering leaders to reinforce their defences against these sophisticated attacks. "Attackers are harnessing AI capabilities to launch more targeted and evasive assaults, heightening the urgency for robust security measures. Our industry-leading innovations in ML-based security features set a new standard for safeguarding against these evolving threats against applications and their APIs," said Talwalkar.

The upgrades to the UAP suite underscore the imperative need for robust security as APIs form the crux of countless digital applications and services. The improvements offer invaluable visibility, custom testing, and autonomous threat mitigation capabilities, thereby revolutionising API security. Cequence's offerings enable organisations to customise security testing, automate API management status detection, and utilise ML-aided threat identification and mitigation, ensuring they stay ahead of evolving threats and successfully prevent data breaches and business disruptions.

Some of the enhancements include Automatic Rule, Model & Policy Generation, where the system utilises ML capabilities to identify anomalous or malicious traffic patterns, generating immediate attack mitigation rules, models, and policies for protection, even during off-peak hours. The ML-aided response system also reduces analysts' workload by automating tasks, saving time and improving overall efficiency. In addition, Enhanced Parallel Threat Hunting allows for simultaneous threat hunting activities across multiple API endpoints, thereby accelerating the detection and mitigation process.

Beside these enhancements, other key services include Customised API Discovery and Bespoke API Security Testing. These help organisations customise API definitions to match specific usage, configure authentication profiles to test APIs using multiple user personas, and customise test cases to create diverse attack traffic profiles per API group.

Voicing her support for these advancements, Venky Ganesan, partner at Menlo Ventures, stated, "Cequence's innovative technologies, such as real-time attack detection and discovery of AI applications, are crucial for addressing the challenges posed by the development and use of distributed APIs. Cequence empowers organisations to effectively defend against evolving cybersecurity risks." She further praised Cequence for redefining industry standards and safeguarding digital assets.

Carlos Morales, SVP solutions at Vercara, also commented on the partnership with Cequence, "With new advanced ML capabilities, Cequence's technology empowers organisations to protect their digital assets proactively. UltraAPI, Vercara's new API security service, powered by Cequence, is the perfect complement to our market-leading DDoS, WAF, and DNS platform to safeguard our customers' online presence."