6 signs your company may be targeted by hackers: how APIs help prevent fraud

Recent research from Fortinet, a global cybersecurity company, indicates that Brazil concentrated 31.5 billion attempted cyberattacks in the first half of 2025. This figure represents over 80% of the total attacks in Latin America. The vulnerability of companies lies not only in external attacks but also in internal system integration failures, which serve as an entry point for criminals.

Latin America is the region with the greatest difficulty in responding to cyber incidents, with approximately 42% of Latin American organizations expressing concern about this type of crime, according to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 2025 Global Cybersecurity Outlook report. The forum also points to a shortage of 4.8 million qualified cybersecurity professionals. 

But how can you tell if your company is being targeted by hackers? Faced with this challenge, the API-first approach and platform integration emerge as essential strategies for strengthening corporate security.

“System integration via APIs is a fundamental pillar of digital security. Disconnections and communication failures between platforms can create significant gaps that, if unmanaged, become entry points for attacks,” states Willy Sousa, Product Director at Engineering Brazil, part of the Engineering Group, a global information technology company and consultancy specializing in digital transformation.

Below, the expert presents six signs that your company may be targeted by hackers, and how APIs work in prevention:

1. Inconsistent or duplicate reports

These failures indicate a lack of integration between systems. Besides compromising data analysis, they can hide anomalies exploited by hackers. “The absence of a single source of truth for data makes it difficult to identify suspicious activities, making the company an easier and more vulnerable target,” he explains.

2. Decisions based on outdated information

When decisions are made based on unsynchronized or outdated data, the company operates without an accurate view of reality. This information gap can lead to strategic and operational errors, creating opportunities for fraud. “The agility and accuracy of information are essential barriers against manipulation. Disconnected systems prevent this agility,” he comments.

3. Customer service failures

Problems in this area, such as the inability to access a customer's complete history or inconsistent information across different channels, are a sign that CRM systems and other platforms are not communicating properly. These failures cause dissatisfaction and can be exploited by scammers impersonating company representatives. “Fragmented service gives scammers the chance to exploit confusion and lack of information, compromising customer trust,” points out the Product Director.

4. Difficulty identifying users or unauthorized access

Without adequate traceability, the company cannot know who accessed the data, when, and with what permissions. This weakness in digital identity and authentication opens gaps for silent intrusions. “Ineffective access control is practically an invitation for unauthorized access. With APIs, it's possible to integrate identity systems and monitor access continuously and in detail,” says Sousa.

5. Excessive manual processes

Reliance on manual processes to transfer data between systems increases the likelihood of errors and introduces vulnerability points. Each manual step is an opportunity for information interception or manipulation. “Automation via API not only optimizes processes but reduces exposure to human error and malicious interventions,” he clarifies.

6. Absence of a unified view of data

The lack of a centralized platform that gathers and harmonizes data from different systems prevents the company from having a complete understanding of its operations and risks. This fragmented view hinders the detection of attack patterns. ”A holistic view of data, made possible by API integration, is crucial for detecting and responding to threats before they cause significant damage,” concludes Willy.