Cecilia Floridi’s Post

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Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer DataLab. GmbH - The Relevance Group

HOW LIKELY IS YOUR LOYALTY PROGRAM GOING TO BE TARGETED BY ROBBERS? A recent Forbes article by Rupesh Chokshi highlights the growing risk of API abuse, particularly in the context of #customerloyalty and rewards programs, which have become prime targets for cybercriminals. APIs, essential for modern online services, can be exploited to access sensitive #data, such as account balances and personal information, allowing attackers to commit #fraud. Loyalty programs, referred to as "accidental banks," store valuable data that attackers can steal or manipulate. Real-world examples illustrate how attackers use API vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to accounts, using methods like credential stuffing and social engineering. For instance, one company's loyalty program was defrauded of over $100,000 in a single day due to API weaknesses. In another case, attackers accessed sensitive customer information through unauthenticated APIs and used that data to bypass security measures. ❗ The article emphasizes the need for organizations to gain visibility into all their APIs, especially those handling sensitive data, and ensure they are secured. API security requires continuous monitoring and proactive measures, such as testing new APIs, retiring unused ones, and employing AI- and ML-based tools to detect suspicious behavior in real time. ❗ This article underscores the critical importance of securing APIs, particularly as digital services expand and more sensitive data is handled online. Loyalty programs, often overlooked as potential targets, are increasingly vulnerable due to their inherent value as "digital currency" and less stringent security compared to traditional financial institutions. The real-world examples are alarming, showing just how lucrative and damaging these API attacks can be. For companies managing customer data, like those in loyalty programs, securing APIs must be a priority. 📍 The key takeaways from the article are clear: visibility, continuous vigilance, and real-time monitoring are essential to defend against API abuse. These recommendations are particularly relevant for organizations focused on data-driven customer experiences, where protecting customer trust is vital. #weloveloyalty, #welovedata https://lnkd.in/eKHnn_33

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