Automation is necessary for Managed Support Suppliers (MSPs) to scale their functions to the at any time expanding calls for of electronic business enterprise. Automation allows to boost operational performance, mitigate operational danger, lower prices, and offset the adverse effects of complexity. That’s why Cisco emphasizes not only the item element but also its rich Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). APIs support MSPs to conveniently automate and seamlessly combine items into their existing functions platforms. The new Umbrella APIs are primarily based on OpenAPI Specification (OAS), a normal that provides an enhanced experience for MSPs.

The new Umbrella APIs give MSPs with the next benefits: more use cases and workflow automation, increased protection, simplified API authentication, uncomplicated API essential management, and Dashboard.

Additional use instances and workflow automation

MSPs can now make numerous distinctive API keys for each individual use case or task. In the earlier, an group could have only one particular API key per form, which forced MSPs to share API keys with other teams ensuing in having couple of use instances.  The new Umbrella APIs present far more adaptability, accelerating the process to automate and streamline workflows, lower labor-intensive handbook responsibilities, and reduce highly-priced delays. Applying the new Umbrella KeyAdmin dashboard, MSP directors can now create any amount of granular, multi-scoped Umbrella API keys. (See Figure 1 down below)

Enhanced stability

Umbrella APIs assists MSPs to speedily apply their safety integration. The token-dependent authentication method for all resources with granular entry controls for just about every API important gives enhanced protection. MSP administration can now customise accessibility controls for every API important based on have to have or user role. An API crucial can obtain only the API methods observed in the API vital scopes. Every single scope and resource can now have both Read-Only or Read/Compose access privileges. In addition, an administrator can configure a lifetime or expiration  time for just about every new Umbrella API key. (The default is under no circumstances expired.)

Simplified API authentication

Former Umbrella API keys for the Administration and Network Device styles had fundamental authentication, and the reporting type had token-based authentication. All the new Umbrella API keys have the similar OAuth 2. client authentication and authorization system, serving to to minimize confusion. An Umbrella API critical and crucial key can be used to crank out an Umbrella API accessibility token, which can then be provided in a ask for to the Umbrella API.

Uncomplicated API important administration

The new KeyAdmin API aspect allows MSPs to provision and regulate Umbrella API keys. MSPs can use this feature to automate API crucial creation and administration without based on GUIs. MSP administration can produce an Umbrella API accessibility token and then use that token to generate and control Umbrella API keys.

Dashboard

The API KeyAdmin dashboard in the Umbrella Managed Solutions Console offers a summary and listing of all the API keys in a Org. Auditing for API keys gets to be less complicated to accomplish with this new dashboard. Directors can perspective all the assigned APIs, their statuses, and specifics, supporting them make selections quickly–for case in point by getting ready to monitor and consider motion in cases when selected APIs have not been made use of for many months.

In the sample summary proven in Figure 2 down below, the pink triangle identifies the amount of expired API keys, and the yellow triangle identifies the quantity of API keys expiring within 30 days.

Now it is so effortless for Managed Assistance Suppliers to carry out and maximize their operational effectiveness. The new Umbrella API will provide MSPs to build a complete API management and an automatic IT setting. Contemplate together with Umbrella as section of your managed safety approach for prospects.

 

 

Additional resources

Master about the Umbrella MSSP system

Find out far more about Cisco Cloud Protection API

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