Critical data on API security threats, breach costs, and endpoint protection strategies shaping enterprise security posture
API endpoints have become the primary attack vector for cybercriminals, with over 40,000 API incidents recorded in just the first half of 2025. As organizations manage an average of 613 endpoints, the attack surface continues to expand faster than security teams can protect it. DreamFactory's enterprise security controls address this gap with built-in role-based access control, automatic SQL injection prevention, and comprehensive audit logging—eliminating the security oversights that plague manually coded APIs. With the API security market, valued at $11.62 billion in 2025, is projected to expand at a CAGR of 17.39% from 2025 to 2033, understanding these statistics is essential for any organization serious about endpoint protection.
Key Takeaways
- 99% of organizations experienced at least one API security issue – Near-universal exposure demands platform-level security enforcement rather than developer-dependent implementation
- 95% of attacks came from authenticated sessions – Traditional perimeter security fails when attackers use legitimate credentials, requiring granular RBAC at the endpoint level
- Only 21% of organizations can effectively detect API-layer attacks – Detection gaps make built-in security controls and audit logging critical infrastructure
- $591,404 average remediation cost per incident in the United States – The business case for automated security is clear when a single breach costs over half a million dollars
- 57% experienced breaches in the past two years – More than half of enterprises have already suffered the consequences of inadequate API security
The 2026 API Threat Landscape: Breach and Attack Statistics
1. 99% of organizations experienced at least one API security issue
The State of Cloud Security report reveals virtually universal exposure to API security problems. This near-total vulnerability rate makes platform-enforced security essential rather than optional.
2. 95% of API attacks came from authenticated sessions
Attackers increasingly use legitimate credentials rather than brute force entry. This statistic exposes the limitations of perimeter security and validates the need for granular access controls at every endpoint.
3. 57% experienced an API-related data breach in two years
More than half of organizations surveyed by Traceable AI suffered actual breaches—not just security issues, but confirmed data compromises. DreamFactory's security guide details the comprehensive controls that prevent these outcomes.
4. 28% experienced breaches compromising sensitive data and critical systems
Salt Security found that over a quarter suffered severe breaches affecting their most sensitive assets. This represents the worst-case scenario that proper endpoint security prevents.
5. 84% of security professionals experienced an API security incident
The overwhelming majority of security teams dealt with API incidents over a 12-month period, confirming APIs as the primary battleground for enterprise security.
Attack Vectors and Vulnerability Patterns
6. 88% of attack attempts leverage OWASP API Top 10 methods
Nearly nine in ten attacks follow documented patterns from the OWASP API Security Top 10. This predictability means organizations can systematically address known vulnerabilities through platform-level controls.
7. 37% of breaches involve DDoS attacks on APIs
Distributed denial-of-service attacks represent the most common vector, with APIs experiencing 166% higher DDoS attacks than traditional websites according to Indusface data.
8. APIs attract 44% of advanced bot traffic despite representing only 14% of attack surfaces
This disproportionate targeting demonstrates that attackers view APIs as high-value, vulnerable targets. Automated security at the endpoint level becomes essential.
9. 46% of account takeover attacks target API endpoints
Account takeover attempts against APIs represent major concern, showing attackers increasingly target API authentication mechanisms.
10. Injection attacks and BOLA made up over one-third of all incidents
Broken Object Level Authorization and injection attacks account for largest share of API security incidents. DreamFactory's automatic SQL injection prevention addresses one of these attack vectors at the platform level.
The Business Cost of API Security Failures
11. Average incident remediation costs hit $591,404 in the United States
The Akamai study reports that average U.S. costs approach $600,000 per incident. This figure alone justifies significant investment in preventive security measures.
12. 47% of organizations spent over $100,000 on incident remediation
Nearly half of affected organizations faced six-figure bills, excluding reputational damage and lost business.
13. 20% of organizations report remediation costs exceeding $500,000
One in five organizations suffered catastrophic impacts from API security incidents—costs that dwarf any investment in proper endpoint protection.
14. 55% delayed application rollouts due to security concerns
Security issues slowed more than half of application deployments, creating competitive disadvantages alongside direct breach costs.
15. 69% expanded API security budgets by more than 5%
Organizations are increasing security spending, reflecting recognition that API protection requires dedicated investment.
Detection and Prevention Capability Gaps
16. Only 21% of organizations report high ability to detect API-layer attacks
Traceable AI's research shows fewer than one-fourth can effectively identify attacks targeting their APIs. This detection gap makes prevention-focused security architecture essential.
17. Only 13% can prevent more than 50% of API attacks
The prevention gap exceeds detection—even organizations that detect attacks often cannot stop them.
18. Only 19% are highly confident in identifying which APIs expose PII data
Salt Security found minimal confidence in data exposure visibility. Organizations need comprehensive API inventories with clear data classification.
19. 55% are only somewhat confident in understanding PII exposure
The majority of organizations operate with incomplete knowledge of their API data exposure—a fundamental governance failure.
20. Only 10% of organizations consider their API security programs advanced
Salt Security's assessment reveals 90% acknowledge immaturity in their API security programs.
Why On-Premises API Security Matters in 2026
21. 71% of internet traffic now consists of API calls
With over seven in ten internet requests being API traffic, control over API infrastructure equals control over data. Self-hosted platforms ensure that control remains with the organization rather than third-party cloud providers.
22. Average enterprise manages 613 API endpoints
The scale of API estates demands centralized security management. Organizations in regulated industries—healthcare, finance, government—cannot outsource this control to cloud providers.
23. 66% of organizations manage over 100 APIs
Two-thirds of enterprises operate substantial portfolios, each representing potential attack vectors requiring consistent security enforcement.
24. Only 10% have an API posture governance strategy in place
Salt Security found minimal strategic governance across the industry. Self-hosted platforms enable organizations to implement governance without dependency on vendor policies.
DreamFactory operates exclusively as self-hosted software—on-premises, in customer-managed clouds, or in air-gapped environments. This mandatory self-hosting addresses requirements in regulated industries where data sovereignty and compliance prohibit cloud-hosted API services.
Role-Based Access Control: The Foundation of Endpoint Security
25. 38% of security issues stem from authentication problems
Salt Security attributes over a third of security problems to authentication issues. Platform-enforced RBAC eliminates manual configuration as a failure point.
26. 38% of incidents involve sensitive data exposure
Over one-third of incidents expose confidential information. Field-level access controls prevent unauthorized data access even when endpoints are compromised.
27. 38% of incidents relate to broken authentication
Over one-third of incidents involve authentication failures. DreamFactory supports OAuth 2.0, SAML, LDAP, Active Directory, and API key authentication—configured through the admin console without coding.
28. Business logic attacks represent a growing threat vector
Business logic attacks continue to evolve, requiring security controls that understand application context rather than just network traffic.
29. Organizations struggle to identify which APIs handle sensitive data
Even organizations with complete API inventories often lack comprehensive data classification. Granular RBAC at the field level addresses this by controlling access regardless of classification awareness.
Automating API Security: Efficiency Statistics
30. 82% of organizations have adopted an API-first approach
Postman reports strong API-first adoption, making automated API security tools essential infrastructure rather than optional enhancements.
31. 69% of API-related work demands 10+ hours weekly
The time burden of API management makes automation essential. DreamFactory's automatic generation eliminates the manual coding that consumes developer resources.
32. 93% use REST APIs
REST remains the dominant API architecture, validating investments in REST API security and generation tools.
33. 75% use CI/CD pipelines for deployment
Three-quarters of organizations deploy through pipelines, requiring API security that integrates with DevSecOps workflows.
34. 93% of API teams face collaboration blockers
Documentation inconsistencies and access issues affect nearly all. Auto-generated documentation eliminates these blockers by ensuring documentation remains permanently accurate.
35. 55% struggle with inconsistent, outdated, or missing documentation
More than half of organizations lack reliable documentation. DreamFactory generates live Swagger/OpenAPI documentation automatically for every API, eliminating documentation drift entirely.
The AI Factor: New Security Challenges for API Endpoints
36. 89% of developers use generative AI in daily work
Postman confirms near-universal AI adoption among developers, creating new API security requirements.
37. Only 24% design APIs with AI agents in mind
The gap between adoption and AI-ready APIs creates security exposure as AI systems access APIs not designed for automated consumption.
38. 51% worry about unauthorized or excessive API calls from AI agents
This top security concern reflects legitimate risks from AI systems that may overload or misuse API endpoints.
39. 56% are directly concerned about GenAI as a growing security risk
Salt Security found majority concern about generative AI's impact on API security.
40. 65% believe generative AI poses a serious to extreme risk to API security
Traceable AI reports strong consensus on AI-related API security risks.
41. Only 15% are highly confident in detecting and responding to GenAI-leveraged attacks
The confidence gap around AI attacks demands security controls that work regardless of attack sophistication.
Legacy Modernization: Securing APIs for Aging Infrastructure
42. API security demands continue to accelerate with AI adoption
Organizations report significant increases in API consumption, particularly from AI systems requiring database access. This growth demands modern APIs from legacy systems.
43. API attack incidents have more than doubled
Salt Security documented significant incident growth, reflecting the explosion of API-first architecture. Legacy systems without APIs become integration bottlenecks.
44. Organizations face rapid API proliferation challenges
The rapid expansion of API estates creates pressure to modernize legacy systems that lack API access.
DreamFactory's SOAP-to-REST conversion automatically modernizes legacy SOAP services to REST APIs with full security controls, enabling organizations to bring aging infrastructure into modern API architectures without rewrites. The Vermont Agency case study used this capability to connect 1970s-era systems with modern databases.
Compliance and Audit Requirements
45. API security market projected to grow at 17.39% CAGR through 2033
The API security market, valued at $11.62 billion in 2025, is projected to expand at a CAGR of 17.39% from 2025 to 2033
46. 58% have established API discovery processes
More than half of organizations have implemented discovery, though comprehensive monitoring and audit logging remain essential for compliance requirements.
DreamFactory provides full audit logging and compliance reporting capabilities, supporting SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR requirements through granular access controls and comprehensive activity tracking.
Taking Action on These Statistics
The data presents a clear picture: API endpoints face unprecedented attack volumes while most organizations lack the detection, prevention, and governance capabilities to respond. The statistics demand action across several dimensions:
Security enforcement must be automatic, not developer-dependent. With 99% of organizations experiencing security issues and 38% of problems stemming from authentication issues, manual security implementation fails consistently.
On-premises control matters for regulated industries. Organizations in healthcare, finance, and government cannot accept the data sovereignty risks of cloud-hosted API management.
Documentation and governance require automation. With 55% struggling with documentation and only 10% having governance strategies, manual approaches cannot scale.
Legacy modernization cannot wait. The rapid growth in API incidents and expanding attack surfaces mean systems without API access become liabilities.
DreamFactory addresses these requirements through configuration-driven API generation with mandatory security controls, automatic documentation, and exclusive self-hosted deployment. For organizations ready to close their API security gaps, request a demo to see how platform-enforced security transforms endpoint protection.