{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853996","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853996","title":"System and method for identifying and preventing malicious API attacks","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-04-13T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","G06F","H04L","H04L","H04L"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"A system and method for identifying and preventing malicious application programming interface attacks is configured to, during a learning stage: monitor all requests sent to and from the server API; identify one or more first characteristic data points of each request and response sent during the learning stage; and determine, based at least in part on the identified one or more first characteristic data points, one or more characteristic data models, wherein a characteristic data model represents at least one of an expected input to the API and an expected output of the API; and during a protection stage: monitor all requests sent to and from the server API; identify one or more second characteristic data points of each request and response sent during the protection stage; and one of validate and invalidate the identified one or more second characteristic data points against the one or more characteristic data models."},"analysis":{"summary":"The System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks patent presents a proactive approach to securing application programming interfaces (APIs) by identifying and preventing malicious attacks. The core innovation lies in its ability to learn normal API behavior and validate incoming requests in real-time. This system addresses the growing problem of API security vulnerabilities, which are increasingly exploited by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The key technical approach involves a two-stage process: a learning stage, where the system monitors API traffic and builds characteristic data models, and a protection stage, where it validates incoming requests against these models. \n\nThe business value of this technology is significant, as it enables organizations to protect their APIs from costly data breaches, maintain the integrity of their systems, and ensure the availability of their services. This patent has applications across various industries, including finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and cloud computing. The market opportunity for API security solutions is rapidly expanding, driven by the increasing reliance on APIs in modern software architecture. Companies that adopt this technology can gain a competitive advantage by offering more secure and reliable services, building customer trust, and reducing the risk of financial losses due to cyberattacks. Furthermore, this technology can streamline compliance efforts with data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA. The System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks patent offers a comprehensive and adaptive approach to API security, making it a valuable asset for organizations looking to protect their APIs and mitigate the risks associated with malicious attacks. This innovation is poised to transform the API security landscape, providing a proactive defense against evolving cyber threats and enabling businesses to embrace the benefits of interconnectedness without compromising security.","layman_explanation":"The System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks patent addresses the growing problem of security breaches targeting APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). APIs are essentially the communication channels that allow different software systems to talk to each other. They're everywhere, powering everything from mobile apps to online banking. However, because they expose sensitive data and functionality, they're a prime target for hackers. \n\nExisting security measures, like firewalls and access controls, are often not enough to protect APIs. They're like having a gate around your house but leaving the windows open. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in APIs to steal data, disrupt services, or even take control of entire systems. The System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks works by learning what normal API traffic looks like. It's like a security guard who knows all the regular visitors to a building. The system monitors API requests and responses, identifies patterns, and builds a profile of expected behavior. \n\nOnce the system has learned what's normal, it can then detect anomalies. If someone tries to send a request that doesn't fit the normal profile – for example, a request with unusual parameters or a suspicious payload – the system flags it as potentially malicious. The system can then take action to block the request, alert security personnel, or take other steps to mitigate the threat. This technology matters because it provides a more proactive and adaptive approach to API security. Instead of relying on static rules and signatures, it learns from the actual behavior of the API and adapts to changing threat landscapes. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and launch successful attacks. \n\nThe market impact of this technology is significant. As APIs become increasingly critical to modern business operations, the need for robust API security solutions will only continue to grow. This patent represents a valuable innovation in this space, offering a more effective way to protect APIs and mitigate the risks associated with cyberattacks. Future applications of this technology could include integration with other security tools, automated threat response, and advanced analytics. The market adoption timeline will depend on factors such as the increasing awareness of API security risks, the availability of commercial products based on this patent, and the regulatory landscape. Investment implications are positive, as this technology has the potential to generate significant revenue and create value for investors.","technical_analysis":"The System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks patent details a system employing a dual-stage process for API security. The initial learning stage involves the continuous monitoring of all API requests and responses. During this phase, the system identifies key characteristic data points associated with each request and response. These data points can include parameters, headers, payload size, and response codes. Based on these identified data points, the system constructs one or more characteristic data models. A characteristic data model represents expected input to the API, expected output from the API, or both. The models are essentially statistical representations of normal API behavior.\n\nThe protection stage leverages these data models to actively monitor API traffic. As in the learning stage, the system identifies characteristic data points of each request and response. The core of the protection mechanism lies in validating or invalidating these newly identified data points against the pre-established characteristic data models. This validation process typically involves comparing the observed data points to the expected ranges or distributions defined by the models. If a data point deviates significantly from the expected behavior, it is flagged as potentially malicious. \n\nAlgorithmically, the system could employ various statistical and machine learning techniques. For instance, clustering algorithms could be used to group similar API requests during the learning phase, identifying common patterns. Anomaly detection algorithms could then be applied during the protection phase to detect deviations from these established clusters. The implementation of the system would likely involve deploying it as a proxy server or integrating it directly into the API gateway. This would allow the system to intercept and analyze all API traffic in real-time. The system's performance would be crucial, requiring low latency to avoid impacting API response times. This could be achieved through optimized data structures and efficient algorithms. Integration with existing security information and event management (SIEM) systems would also be beneficial, allowing security teams to correlate API security events with other security data. Furthermore, consideration is needed for handling evolving APIs. The system needs a mechanism to periodically re-learn API behavior to adapt to changes in API functionality and usage patterns.","business_analysis":"The System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks patent addresses a critical and growing need in the cybersecurity market: the protection of application programming interfaces (APIs). APIs have become essential for modern business operations, enabling seamless communication and data exchange between various applications and services. However, this increased reliance on APIs has also made them prime targets for malicious attacks. The market opportunity for API security solutions is substantial. As businesses continue to adopt cloud computing, microservices architectures, and mobile applications, the number of APIs they use will only continue to increase. This growth creates a larger attack surface, making API security an increasingly important concern. \n\nThe System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks offers several competitive advantages over traditional API security approaches. Traditional methods often rely on static rules and signatures, which can be easily bypassed by sophisticated attackers. This technology, on the other hand, uses machine learning to learn normal API behavior and detect anomalies in real-time. This adaptive approach makes it more resilient to evolving attack techniques. The revenue potential for this technology is significant. It can be commercialized through various business models, including software licensing, managed security services, and integration with existing security platforms. The strategic positioning of this technology is also favorable. It aligns with the growing trend towards proactive and adaptive security measures. By implementing this technology, organizations can reduce the risk of costly data breaches, maintain customer trust, and ensure the continuity of their operations. The return on investment (ROI) for this technology is high, as it can prevent significant financial losses due to cyberattacks. Furthermore, it can streamline compliance efforts with data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA. The System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks patent offers a valuable solution for organizations looking to protect their APIs and mitigate the risks associated with malicious attacks. This innovation is poised to transform the API security landscape, providing a proactive defense against evolving cyber threats and enabling businesses to embrace the benefits of interconnectedness without compromising security.","faqs":null,"topics":["API security","malicious API attacks","threat detection","cybersecurity","data protection","system","method","identifying"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"API Security: System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks","description":"Discover the System and Method for Identifying and Preventing Malicious API Attacks, a breakthrough in API security. Real-time threat detection and adaptive learning.","keywords":["API security","malicious API attacks","threat detection","cybersecurity","data protection","patent","patent US-9853996"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853996","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853996","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"System and method for identifying and preventing malicious API attacks\" (US-9853996). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853996","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853996","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853996","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T16:50:25.323Z"}