Z2K SECURE API ACCESS

Cryptographically verify every API request.
Stop credential replay and impersonation by design.

Z2K adds request-bound proof to your stack so “valid-looking” abuse becomes structurally invalid.

Talk to an Expert How it works

ZTA policy per request ZKP proof, not secrets PKI workload identity

PROOF VERIFICATION

Replace replayable secrets with request-bound proof.

Z2K verifies identity + intent per request, so “valid-looking” abuse fails by design.

Request

Proof attached

POST /api/transfer HTTP/1.1
Host: api.example.com
Content-Type: application/json

X-Z2K-Identity: did:pki:workload:7f3…
X-Z2K-Proof: zkp:request-bound:9b1…  # non-replayable
X-Z2K-Policy: zta:allow:transfer@1000

{
  "to": "acct_…",
  "amount": 1000,
  "currency": "USD"
}

Proof is bound to identity + request + time + context. Stolen tokens lose value.

Outcome

Fail-closed

✓

Replay attempts fail

Proof can’t be reused across requests.

✓

Impersonation is blocked

Identity is cryptographically anchored.

⟂

Clear failure mode

No proof → no access (fail-closed).

Works with your existing stack

Deploy Z2K only for sensitive APIs while keeping WAF/CDN for public endpoints.

WHY Z2K

Z2K is not “another API security tool.”
It changes what you trust.

WAFs and API security tools are great at detecting suspicious traffic. Z2K adds cryptographic proof per request—so “valid-looking” abuse becomes invalid by design.

FOR CISO

Reduce breach impact from stolen credentials

Fail-closed access: no proof → no request
Faster response: clearer legitimacy signals
Better assurance: proof-backed audit trail

MTTR target

↓ 30–60%

Triage workload

↓ 20–40%

Replay risk

↓ 80–100%

KPI targets vary by traffic, rollout scope, and policy maturity.

FOR ENGINEERS

Stop abuse before business logic—without ripping your stack

Plugs into WAF/CDN/API Gateway
Request-bound proof (identity + request + time)
Zero Trust policy on every request
Clear failure mode (fail-closed)

Integration

SDK/sidecar + edge verification

Signals

proof + policy decision + logs

Outcome

less “is this legit?” work

Competitive landscape (named categories)

Examples: WAF/CDN (Cloudflare, Akamai, Fastly, Imperva, F5), API Security (Salt Security, Noname, Cequence, Data Theorem), Bot Mgmt (Cloudflare Bot, Akamai Bot Manager, F5 Shape), API Discovery (discovery modules in Salt/Noname).

Capability	Z2K (Cryptographic trust)	WAF / CDN	API Security	Bot Mgmt	API Discovery
Valid-looking abuse prevention	Proof required → fail-closed	Rules / signatures	Detect + score risk	Bot-focused	Inventory only
Replay resistance	Request-bound proof (non-replayable)	Limited (tokens replayable)	Detect anomalies	Not primary goal	—
Impersonation resistance	Proof ties identity + request	Hard if creds are valid	Detect behavior	Stops automation	—
Per-request authorization	ZTA policy every request	Session / perimeter	Policy + detection	—	—
Payload inspection	Complement (keep your stack)	Core strength	Often included	—	—
API discovery / inventory	Optional (via stack)	Limited	Strong	—	Core strength
Primary trust model	Cryptographic proof	Blocking patterns	Risk signals	Bot identity	API visibility

Z2K complements WAF/CDN/API Security—by upgrading the trust model to cryptographic proof for each request.

HOW IT WORKS

Identity → Proof → Enforcement. On every request.

Client App

Z2K module handles PKI identity & generates request-bound proof.

PKIZKPNo secrets

PoP + Tunnel (ZTA)

Outbound-only encrypted tunnel carries requests toward the gateway.

TLSOutbound-onlyNo inbound

Z2K Gateway

Verifies identity + proof, enforces policy, then forwards to API backend.

VerifyAuthorizeEnforce

API Backend

Receives only verified, authorized requests.

Reduced abuseLower blast radius

Cryptographic identity

Applications and workloads use PKI-backed identity rather than shared secrets.

Request-bound proof

ZKP proof binds identity, request, and time — replay becomes invalid by design.

Edge verification & policy

Gateway verifies proof and enforces Zero Trust policy before traffic reaches your API.

Result: replay attacks fail, stolen credentials become useless, and every API call becomes cryptographically verifiable.

KEY FEATURES

Security teams operate critical APIs. Z2K proves every request.

Move from “valid-looking traffic” to cryptographic certainty—without replacing your WAF, CDN, or gateway.

Secretless access

Replace API keys and bearer tokens with request-bound cryptographic proof.

No replayable secrets
Less credential sprawl
Strong workload identity

Replay resistance

Proof is bound to identity, time, and request context—replay becomes structurally invalid.

Token theft loses value
Time-bound verification
Context-bound guarantees

Impersonation defense

Even stolen credentials can’t impersonate legitimate apps without valid proof.

Stops “perfect” impersonation
Reduces blast radius
Strong app assurance

Continuous verification

Zero Trust policies evaluated per request—not per session.

Request-level enforcement
Fine-grained checks
Always verify

Works with existing stack

Complement WAF/CDN/Gateway/service mesh—no rip-and-replace.

Clean integration
Gateway compatible
Incremental rollout

Cryptographic auditability

Every request becomes verifiable evidence for forensics and assurance.

Proof-backed logs
Better incident response
Assurance by design

DESIGNED FOR

Environments where software identity defines trust

Z2K is built for organizations where APIs are accessed by critical systems, not just users — and where every request must be attributable to a legitimate application or device.

Financial infrastructure

When backend systems initiate irreversible operations.

Trading systems calling exchange APIs
Payment platforms triggering fund movements
Core banking integrations with fintech partners
KYC / AML data exchange between institutions

→ You must verify the system, not just the token.

Enterprise & SaaS control planes

When only official software should control critical APIs.

Admin dashboards modifying tenant configurations
Privileged internal tools managing infrastructure
Automation services provisioning identities
Internal microservices accessing high-sensitivity APIs

→ Stolen credentials must not equal valid access.

Government & regulated data exchange

When inter-organizational data sharing requires verifiable participants.

National data platforms & digital identity ecosystems
Industry data spaces (manufacturing, healthcare, mobility)
Cross-agency system-to-system integrations
Public-private data sharing frameworks

→ Participants must prove who their software really is.

Devices, agents, and distributed software

When every endpoint must have its own cryptographic identity.

IoT gateways and industrial edge systems
POS terminals and financial devices
Security agents reporting to central platforms
Partner-operated appliances and connectors

→ Every device becomes a verifiable actor.

Z2K is not about authenticating users.
It is about ensuring that the software itself — the application, service, or device — is cryptographically verifiable on every request.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Deployment, security, and integration—answered for security teams operating critical APIs.

Adoption & Fit

Is this a replacement for our existing WAF or API gateway?

No. Z2K complements your WAF/CDN/API gateway. It adds cryptographic verification before requests reach those layers.

Who is this designed for?

Teams operating high-value APIs: fintech, platforms, infrastructure, identity systems, and security-sensitive SaaS.

Can we start with only some APIs?

Yes. Most teams start with high-risk endpoints (auth, payments, admin, PII) and expand gradually.

Is this suitable for regulated environments?

Yes. Z2K produces cryptographically verifiable evidence per request—useful for auditability and assurance in regulated contexts.

What’s the “design partner” engagement like?

We align on your threat model, pick target flows, validate integration points, and define success metrics for a focused proof-of-concept.

Security & Architecture

How is this different from OAuth, mTLS, or JWT?

Those authenticate identity, but don’t make each request non-replayable by cryptographic proof. Z2K adds request-bound assurance.

Does Z2K protect against replay attacks?

Yes. Proof binds identity + request + time, making replay structurally invalid rather than heuristically detected.

Is ZKP practical in production?

Yes. Verification is designed for edge execution and real-world throughput.

What happens if proof is missing or invalid?

Fail-closed. No proof → no request. This is the key difference vs “valid-looking” abuse that passes when credentials are stolen.

Does this replace payload inspection or bot mitigation?

No. Keep WAF/CDN/Bot defenses. Z2K upgrades the trust model; it’s additive, not a replacement.

Deployment & Operations

Do we need to change our applications? 　

Usually minimal changes. Z2K focuses on proof and policy enforcement rather than business logic rewrites.

How does deployment work with existing infrastructure?

Z2K works alongside WAF, CDN, API gateway, and service mesh—no rip-and-replace.

Can this work with Cloudflare / Akamai / managed gateways?

Yes. Common edge and gateway platforms are supported as integration points.

What does a typical rollout look like?

Design session → pick protected flows → small PoC → staged expansion with measurable outcomes.

What logs and signals do we get?

Per-request proof verification result, policy decision, and audit-grade metadata—triage becomes faster and clearer.

FINAL THOUGHT

Start with 1–2 sensitive APIs. We’ll map your threat model and define a PoC scope in a 30–45 min session—no rip-and-replace.

Z2K is designed for organizations where software identity — not just credentials — must be trusted by default across critical systems and integrations.

READY TO MOVE FORWARD?

Make your APIs proof-secure with Z2K

Join the Design Partner program to validate deployment, align on threat models, and shape the roadmap.

30–45 min security + architecture session
PoC scope and integration plan
Edge verification strategy (WAF / Gateway / CDN)
Priority access and roadmap influence

No rip-and-replace Works with WAF/CDN Fail-closed by design