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.
30–45 min. Threat model + PoC scope. No obligation.
PROOF VERIFICATION
Replace replayable secrets with request-bound proof.
Z2K verifies identity + intent per request, so “valid-looking” abuse fails by design.
Z2K is provided as Gateway software and client-side SDK modules. You deploy and operate it in your own environment—on-premises or in the cloud.
Pre-release. We’re running a Design Partner program for teams in fintech and critical infrastructure.
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.
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.
Reduce breach impact from stolen credentials
- Fail-closed access: no proof → no request
- Faster response: clearer legitimacy signals
- Better assurance: proof-backed audit trail
KPI targets vary by traffic, rollout scope, and policy maturity.
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)
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. Examples and vendor names are illustrative only.
Identity → Proof → Enforcement. On every request.
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
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.
It is about ensuring that the software itself — the application, service, or device — is cryptographically verifiable on every request.
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?
In the first session we review your high-value APIs (auth, payments, admin, PII), identify where replay or impersonation would hurt most, and outline a minimal PoC scope and integration path. No commitment. If there’s fit, we define success metrics and move to a focused proof-of-concept.
Who typically joins the first session?
Usually a security or platform lead and one engineer. No procurement required—the session is technical and exploratory.
What does a typical PoC look like?
Typically 2–4 weeks: we agree on scope and success criteria, you integrate the SDK/Gateway on selected APIs, and we provide the runtime and support. Deliverables and what we supply are defined at kickoff.
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—typical verification adds sub-millisecond latency and scales with your edge capacity.
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. Logs can be exported for SIEM integration; format and retention align with your operations.
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. Technical session only. No sales pitch.
Make your APIs proof-secure with Z2K
Book a 30–45 min technical session: we’ll align on your threat model, pick 1–2 APIs for a PoC, and outline integration options. No pitch. No obligation.
- 30–45 min security + architecture session
- PoC scope and integration plan
- Edge verification strategy (WAF / Gateway / CDN)
- Priority access and roadmap influence