At Apiiro, we’ve closely analyzed the impact of AI-driven development on API security, finding that while AI-powered coding assistants accelerate API creation, they often do so without prioritizing security—introducing new risks that can go undetected without proactive monitoring. This challenge is now validated by Gartner’s latest research, Leaders’ Guide to API Security, which highlights the growing risks from undocumented and misconfigured APIs, including “rogue” and “zombie” APIs that are either undeclared or forgotten, but still expose organization data.

Read our research on AI-driven development and API security here.

As development velocity increases, especially with AI-powered coding assistants, the attack surface is expanding faster than security teams can track. Unmonitored APIs and unchecked repository changes introduce security gaps that traditional tools struggle to detect.

Key takeaways from Gartner’s API security report

Gartner’s report highlights three major API security challenges: the lack of full visibility into exposed APIs, the need for code repository scanning to prevent misconfigurations and untracked changes, and the rise of business logic attacks that evade traditional security controls. 

The report makes it clear that a reactive security posture is no longer sufficient. Organizations must adopt continuous API monitoring and proactive risk detection to mitigate vulnerabilities before they become breaches. Without a comprehensive approach to API security, businesses risk exposure to attacks that exploit gaps in authentication, access controls, and API inventory management.

AI development is exacerbating API security risks

While Gartner’s report focuses on API security broadly, one accelerating factor is AI-assisted development. AI-powered tools make it easier than ever to generate, modify, and deploy APIs at scale. Unfortunately, left unchecked, this rapid pace introduces security risks that organizations may not be tracking, including the following:

Unmonitored API sprawl: AI-generated APIs can bypass security oversight, leading to undocumented exposure.

Undetected changes: API updates may introduce vulnerabilities if not continuously tracked.

Speed vs. security trade-offs: AI-driven development outpaces traditional security processes, requiring automated risk assessment.

Aligning with Gartner’s API Security Recommendations

To keep up with increasing API risks, organizations must implement continuous API discovery, automated repository scanning, and a shift-left security approach. Continuous API discovery enables organizations to identify and track API exposure across environments, while automated repository scanning detects changes in real-time to prevent misconfigurations. Shifting left, while always a best practice, is especially helpful in reducing API risk by embedding security earlier in the development lifecycle.

At Apiiro, we’ve been advocates of this approach for years. Gartner’s report validates that API security must be a top priority, and that automated discovery, repository tracking, and proactive risk assessment are key to staying ahead.

How Apiiro Helps

To address the growing challenges in API security, Apiiro offers comprehensive solutions that align with Gartner’s recommendations:​

Deep Code Analysis (DCA) for API Discovery and Inventory:

Apiiro’s Deep Code Analysis (DCA) provides continuous and context-aware inventory tracking of APIs and their associated security risks. By integrating seamlessly with source control management (SCM) systems, Apiiro automatically maps APIs, data models, and sensitive data (e.g., PII, PHI, PCI) and detects potential exposure risks. This continuous monitoring ensures that untracked or “rogue” APIs are identified before they become security liabilities. ​

Material Code Change Detection and Automated Repository Scanning: Apiiro continuously scans code repositories to detect material API changes, ensuring that every modification—whether new endpoints, deprecated APIs, or untracked updates—is analyzed in real-time. This approach aligns with Gartner’s emphasis on repository scanning and eliminates the risk of misconfigurations going unnoticed.

Risk-Based Code Reviews: By analyzing developer behavior and code changes, Apiiro’s platform can detect business logic changes and trigger targeted code reviews. This ensures that security assessments are prioritized based on the potential impact, aligning with a proactive security posture. ​

Comprehensive Application Inventory (XBOM): Apiiro’s eXtended Software Bill of Materials (XBOM) provides a detailed inventory of application components, including APIs, code modules, data models, and infrastructure. This holistic view enables organizations to understand their application attack surface comprehensively, facilitating more effective security strategies. ​

By implementing Apiiro’s Deep Code Analysis, Material Code Change Detection, and Automated Inventory Tracking, organizations can achieve the continuous API security posture that Gartner recommends, before threats materialize.

Final Thoughts: Address API Risks Before They Become Breaches

Gartner’s research makes it clear: API security requires continuous monitoring and early detection. Organizations that rely on periodic audits and static controls risk falling behind.

With AI-driven development accelerating API creation, security teams must move beyond traditional approaches and adopt real-time visibility and risk detection. Learn more about how Apiiro secures APIs.