APIs are the lifeblood of modern digital systems. From handling logins and payments to powering medical portals and AI-driven agents, application programming interfaces keep businesses connected and customers engaged. But while APIs have quietly become the backbone of innovation, they have also opened the door to one of the most overlooked security threats of the decade. Shadow APIs (endpoints built outside official processes) and zombie APIs (abandoned but still live) have created blind spots in nearly every organization's infrastructure. These blind spots are challenging to detect, but they lurk, bypassing governance and authentication, and expose data without any oversight. Current development cycles result in new APIs being spun up daily, but they are rarely tracked, tested, or fully documented. For attackers, these unmonitored endpoints are unlocked doors: all it takes is one to gain access to the entire building. That's the challenge Astra Security set out to solve with the launch of its new API Security Platform. Astra Security Shining Light on the API Dark Corners The Astra API Security Platform continuously maps every API across a company's infrastructure by analyzing live traffic in real time. By doing so, it uncovers undocumented, dormant, and shadow APIs that teams may not even know exist. The platform then applies over 15,000 Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) cases, proactively hunting for vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. Unlike many tools that rely exclusively on automation, Astra adds a layer of human expertise. Its team of CREST-accredited ethical hackers conducts manual penetration tests in tandem with automated scans. This hybrid strategy identifies subtle misconfigurations, broken authentication protocols, and authorization flaws that would otherwise go undetected. "APIs continue to be the unguarded backdoor to corporate data," said Shikhil Sharma, Co-founder and CEO of Astra Security. "Automated security tools have historically focused on web applications, leaving APIs vulnerable. With the Astra API Security Platform, we can now discover, scan, and secure APIs in real time, closing the gaps before hackers can exploit them." Why API Security Can't Wait The urgency is real. According to recent industry data, demand for API penetration testing has surged by 90% year over year. AI agent APIs and MCP servers are introducing new vulnerabilities, with 23% of IT professionals reporting leaked credentials and 80% observing bots making unintended moves inside systems. In other words, it's not a hypothetical risk. APIs are already being exploited in the wild, often without organizations realizing until after a breach. And the costs of those breaches, both financial and reputational, can be devastating. That's why Astra's focus on continuous discovery and real-time monitoring matters. By maintaining an always-current API inventory, organizations can finally see their true attack surface and prioritize which risks need immediate attention. Built for Modern Infrastructures The platform integrates seamlessly into today's distributed environments, working across AWS, GCP, Azure, NGINX, Istio, Apigee, Kong, and Postman. That's critical for organizations juggling hybrid and multi-cloud deployments where APIs span not just one environment but many. For development teams, Astra enables a DevSecOps-friendly approach. That also integrates with workflows via GitHub, Jira, Slack, and Jenkins, meaning API security is part of the build-and-release process rather than a reactive afterthought. Developers can continue to innovate quickly, while security leaders gain confidence that hidden vulnerabilities won't slip through undetected. Ananda Krishna, Co-Founder and CTO of Astra Security, framed it: "It's essential to identify weaknesses before they lead to compromised data. By combining automation with expert manual testing, we can detect security issues that other tools overlook." Recognition and Momentum The launch of the API Security Platform adds to Astra Security's growing reputation in the cybersecurity world. The company already protects more than 1,000 customers globally, ranging from startups to Fortune 100 enterprises, and uncovered over two million vulnerabilities last year alone. Building on that momentum, Astra recently ranked #3 and was named Product of the Day on Product Hunt, garnering strong validation from the developer and startup communities. For a company deeply rooted in developer-first design, that recognition signals traction and trust. Closing the Backdoor All of this being said, the proliferation of APIs is accelerating quickly as organizational leaders delve deeper into digital transformation and AI-powered services. Each new endpoint is both an enabler of innovation and a potential target for exploitation. Without proper visibility and testing in place, organizations risk leaving the back door wide open. With its API Security Platform, Astra Security is betting on a future where businesses can embrace the power of APIs without inheriting their vulnerabilities. By combining automation, AI-driven scanning, and expert human testing, the company aims to make API security continuous, simplified, and, most importantly, proactive. Ultimately, the message is clear: you can't protect what you can't see. For enterprises building on APIs, seeing everything might be the only way to ensure the future's security.

This story contains new, firsthand information uncovered by the writer.

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Astra Security Launches API Security Platform to Expose the Hidden Crisis of Shadow APIs

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