Contact Us Today 01642 716680

API Penetration Testing

Secure your APIs with Sencode's expert API Penetration Testing service. Identify vulnerabilities and strengthen security. Learn how.

Interested in our services? Use the contact form to get in touch. One of our knowledgeable representatives will contact you as soon as possible to assist you with your enquiry.

01642 716680

Get a Quote

    Expert Consultants

    We mandate that all of our Penetration Testers hold CREST CRT (Registered Penetration Tester) or OSCP. This standard guarantees that our testers have the required knowledge to complete a quality assessment.

    Free Retesting

    The clear majority of penetration testing companies charge over £1000 a day to retest an environment. Our penetration testing service comes with free retesting for all penetration testing assessments.

    Competitive Rates

    Our penetration testing services are tailored to provide the best solutions at competitive prices, ensuring protection for companies of all sizes. No company should be priced out of security.

    What is API Penetration Testing?

    API Penetration Testing is a specialised form of security assessment aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and security risks in Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). APIs often expose sensitive data and application logic, making them a prime target for any would-be attacker. Our penetration testing service can help your business identify those risks before an attacker has a change to act.

    What is an API Penetration Testing Methodology?

    The methodology employed for API Penetration Testing encompasses a variety of attack vectors. It includes testing against the OWASP API Security Top 10 Risks of 2023, which serves as an industry-standard guide for identifying the most critical API security risks. The methodology also incorporates custom tests tailored to the specific API being assessed. Further details on the top OWASP API Security risks can be found below.

    OWASP API Security Top 10 Risks

    The OWASP API Security Top 10 Risks list is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to secure their Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Created by the experts at the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), this list pinpoints the most critical security vulnerabilities that APIs face. Our testing team are experts in identifying these issues in any modern API implementation.


    API1:2023 – Broken Object Level Authorisation
    API2:2023 – Broken Authentication
    API3:2023 – Broken Object Property Level Authorisation
    API4:2023 – Unrestricted Resource Consumption
    API5:2023 – Broken Function Level Authorisation

    API6:2023 – Unrestricted Access to Sensitive Business Flows
    API7:2023 – Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
    API8:2023 – Security Misconfiguration
    API9:2023 – Improper Inventory Management
    API10:2023 – Unsafe Consumption of APIs

    Why API Security Testing is important

    API Security Testing is indispensable for a multitude of reasons. Primarily, it plays a vital role in data protection as APIs often serve as the conduits for sensitive information, making them prime targets for cyber-attacks. This form of testing is also essential for compliance with regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, which mandate stringent data protection measures.

    Furthermore, API Security Testing is crucial for ensuring business continuity. A compromised API can lead to operational disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage. Lastly, it is necessary for securing third-party integrations, as APIs frequently interact with external services. This interaction necessitates robust security measures to mitigate potential vulnerabilities and ensure a secure data exchange environment.

    REST API Security vs SOAP API Security

    REST and SOAP APIs embody distinct security paradigms; REST APIs often utilise standard HTTP authentication methods but may encounter issues like Broken Authentication and Excessive Data Exposure as highlighted by OWASP API Security. On the flip side, SOAP APIs have standardised security protocols like WS-Security for authentication, authorisation, and message integrity.

    While REST APIs offer flexibility and ease of integration, they may present more security challenges, making REST API security and API penetration testing crucial. Conversely, SOAP APIs, with their strict standards and protocols, can provide a more secure but less flexible environment, necessitating different approaches to API security testing. The choice between REST and SOAP may hinge on the specific security requirements of the project, and understanding the nuances of OWASP API Security guidelines can provide invaluable insights for bolstering API security.

    What are the next steps?


    Contact us

    Contact a member of our consulting team either by phone, email, or pigeon post. We will then discuss whether we can help you and arrange a scoping meeting to discuss your requirements.

    Proposal

    In the scoping meeting, our expert consultants will discuss and finalise which digital assets you need testing. We will then put together a project proposal and quote based on the requirements and agree on a schedule for conducting the security assessment.

    Penetration Testing

    The testing starts. A member of our penetration testing team will liaise with a member of your company throughout the entire testing process. If we have any questions or concerns, you will be the first to know.

    Report & Remediate

    A penetration test is useless without a well-written report. Our reports are written in plain English, concise and thoroughly documented. Each report will detail an executive summary, risk ratings, a business risk summary and all of the issues we found throughout the engagement.


    Book your retest.


    Here at Sencode we offer free retesting with every penetration test we conduct.

    You fix the issues, then we will verify they can no longer be exploited by an attacker.


    Get a security certificate for your business.


    Just a PDF document with a list of issues? No thank you.

    Our clients receive a testing certificate that can be shared with partners and customers alike. Showing that your company takes security seriously.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does an API penetration test cost?

    The cost of an API penetration test in the UK can vary based on several factors including the complexity of the API, the depth of the testing, and the provider chosen for the service. It is typical for a penetration testing company to price the API based on the request methods/endpoints within the scope of the assessment. For example, a 50 endpoint API may be priced at 25 endpoints per day, and one day to report on the issues identified (2 + 1). This would result in a cost anywhere between £3000 – £5000 depending on the provider chosen.

    When a provider is costing an assessment, several factors will be considered.

    Complexity of the API:
    – The more complex the API, the more time it will take to thoroughly test it. Complexity can come from the number of endpoints, the logic behind each endpoint, and the number of supported HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.).
    – Complex authentication mechanisms or workflows can also increase the time required to test the API.
    Penetration testing provider chosen:
    – Different providers have different pricing models. Some might charge per hour, while others might charge per endpoint or per project.
    – The reputation and experience of the provider can also affect the cost. More reputable or experienced providers may charge more for their services.

    It’s advisable to get multiple quotes from different providers and to have a clear understanding of what is included in the price.

    What are the OWASP Top 10 API Security Risks: Download our flash cards to find out.

    Inside you will find a description of the most common API vulnerabilities.

    Contact us

    Get a free, no obligation quote from one of our expert staff.