Definition
API security refers to the practices and technologies used to protect application programming interfaces from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats. It ensures that only legitimate users and applications can interact with APIs and that the data exchanged remains confidential and unaltered. This involves implementing authentication, authorization, encryption, and rate limiting to control access and monitor API traffic. Robust API security is crucial for maintaining the integrity of data, preventing service disruptions, and safeguarding sensitive information in interconnected systems. For instance, a financial institution uses API security to protect its mobile banking app from fraudulent transactions. Unlike network security which protects the infrastructure, API security focuses specifically on the interfaces that allow applications to communicate. You will encounter API security concepts on exams like CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and CISSP.