What is API security?
API security refers to the strategies, tools, and practices used to protect Application Programming Interfaces from unauthorized access, misuse, and data breaches. Because APIs are the connective tissue between services and systems, securing them is critical to preserving data integrity and system functionality.
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) act as bridges between software components, allowing them to communicate, share information, and process user requests across systems. They define how those requests are made, what format they take, and how responses are returned.
Unfortunately, APIs often share the same vulnerabilities as traditional web applications—making them an increasingly attractive target for attackers.
Why is API security important?
APIs have enabled the shift from monolithic web applications to distributed systems built on microservices. As these services grow in number and complexity, so too does the surface area for potential attack.
APIs play a foundational role in digital transformation—powering automation, integration, and the delivery of rich user experiences in both B2B and consumer-facing apps. They are used extensively in single-page applications (SPAs), mobile apps, and cloud-native environments.
Because APIs handle authentication, access control, and sensitive data transmission, any weakness in API security can be exploited to disrupt services or leak information. In short, if you’re using a modern web application, you're relying on APIs—and protecting them must be a priority.