Akamai's recent report indicates that API attacks have surged, surpassing 150 billion incidents in 2023 and 2024, driven by the growth of AI technologies. Web-based cyber attacks increased by a third to 311 billion, showing a close link between AI advancements and emerging threats. The report highlights both the benefits and challenges of AI in security, noting that while it improves threat detection and response times, it also allows attackers to automate and enhance their strategies, expanding the overall attack surface.
"AI is transforming web and API security, enhancing threat detection but also creating new challenges," said Rupesh Chokshi, senior vice-president and general manager of Akamai's Application Security Portfolio.
The integration of AI tools with core platforms via APIs is "substantially" expanding the attack surface because the vast majority of AI-powered APIs are not only publicly accessible.
Akamai observed volumes of web-based cyber attacks up by a third over the course of 2024 to 311 billion, correlating closely to an expansion in threats from AI.
While security teams can enhance web application and API security, AI also helps improve the effectiveness of attacks by automating web scraping and dynamic methodologies.
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