This paper argues that traditional perimeter-based security models no longer work in environments dominated by APIs and agentic AI. Legacy concepts like north-south and east-west traffic assumed predictable paths and clear boundaries, but APIs turn every service, SaaS platform, and AI agent into both a client and a server. A single request now fans out across internal services, third-party tools, webhooks, and agents, creating a dynamic, multi-directional API fabric with no clear edge. Attackers exploit paths, not perimeters, chaining APIs to reach sensitive data or actions. The paper concludes that effective security requires continuous, multi-directional visibility into all API calls, identities, behaviors, and data flows over time, rather than relying on static edge or network controls.

Join for free to read