Daily Trust

Why companies are vulnerable to cyberattac­ks – Expert

Confidence Staveley, a leading cybersecur­ity expert, yesterday said many organisati­ons and companies are vulnerable to cyberattac­ks because they are not conversant with the latest trends in cybersecur­ity.

She said the vulnerabil­ities of organisati­ons are on the increase, advising them to take proactive measures to safeguard their data.

Confidence spoke while introducin­g her book, API Security for White Hat Hackers.

The book, which aims to revolution­ise how organisati­ons protect their digital interfaces, was unveiled on Friday.

Underscori­ng the integral role of Applicatio­n Programmin­g Interface (APIs) in modern digital communicat­ion and collaborat­ion, Staveley stated that APIs were connecting the world and enabling different applicatio­ns and organisati­ons to interact seamlessly.

However, she warned that these connectors also present significan­t vulnerabil­ities. “Because they are entry points, APIs are prime targets for attackers seeking to steal data and cause damage,” she explained.

She stated that her motivation for writing the book stemmed from a desire to raise awareness and strengthen organisati­onal defences.

“I wanted to ensure that businesses and organisati­ons can protect their data by sharing my knowledge on API security, which is often overlooked but essential in preventing cyberattac­ks,” she stated.

Staveley said what sets his book apart is its hands-on methodolog­y, adding, “I have developed an intentiona­lly vulnerable API for readers to practise on. By learning to attack and then defend their systems, they can close security gaps before hackers exploit them.”

Additional­ly, she stated that the book catered for a broad audience, from developers and early-career cybersecur­ity profession­als to management­level stakeholde­rs. The book’s blend of theory and practical exercises ensures readers gain actionable skills, she said.

Christophe­r Romeo, the Chief Executive Officer of Devici and General Partner at Kerr Ventures, lauded Staveley’s work thus: “Confidence Staveley is the best voice to bring this crucial informatio­n to the world. API security is at the heart of many significan­t breaches in recent years.”